For several months I have been reading doom and gloom about how the music industry is tanking before our very eyes and how Live Nation has paid too much to represent the big touring acts which has pushed house fees, parking and vending through the roof (that's how they expect to make a profit kids as the big acts essentially demand ALL the gate profits), alienating fans and that the one time powerful and successful festival acts such as the Lilith Fair Tour seems to be cancelling more shows this year than they are actually doing. If you don't believe me here's a photo from Lilith, (that's Serena Ryder on stage). Look at those empty seats. Very sobering. We do not exist in the middle of this mainstream but, for several years I have been preaching to anyone who would listen (LOL) that we need to always take care of our fans in every way possible. We, as Streetheart try to maintain this credo as best as we can and I know it has worked for us. Our fans are our greatest resource pure and simple since, without taking care of this precious commodity, we'd be out of business...fast. I have watched first hand as artists have committed professional suicide onstage. Crippled by distorted perspective, venting their petty, ego driven grievances and bitches out on the one thing that keeps them alive and fed. Their fans. I have said it before. It is a privilege to play for the fans, not a divine right. Especially on our circuit. Our fans have been with us a lifetime. Do we let them down now, especially as those youthful memories become, more and more, a cherished part of our lives? Fear not my friends. We will always do our best to honor all the good fortune that has come our way. I only wish I had more time to take care of all that deserves attention but, at the very least I have a good and grounded perspective and I am thankfully free of any bitterness about life and how, in some misguided, insane way, feeling hard done by. Quite the opposite. I am blessed everyday to do what I do. Yes, our business is going through a tough time currently but the resourceful somehow survive as do the the ones aware and ready for change. Ironically, we are having the best year of the band's career in spite of the downturn in the industry. Does it mean we are better than everybody else? No, even though I am very confident about our product. There are a number of reasons why we are doing well at this moment but one particulairly important reason is the consistant respect we maintain for our fans. Which reminds me, after so many requests and pleading from longtime fans I am posting the actual, real and authentic (accept no substitute!) lyrics to Action as generously provided by the one man who should know these words inside and out, Kenny Shields. This should end all those arguments and bets abour Eiffel Tower and sports final... Anyways, enjoy and I hope that they are close to what you've been singing in your head for 30 some years or so...
ACTION
MEANWHILE BACK IN PARIS I WAS EMBARRASSED, BABE
A WEST BOUND AIRLINE TOOK HER AWAY
WAS WAY PAST MIDNIGHT THEY CAUGHT THE LAST FLIGHT
AND NOW WE’RE STRANGERS
AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TOO SAY
I'M AFRAID NOW I'M GONNA THROW HIM THE BAIT NOW
HE MAY BE THE MASTER BUT HE REALLY GONNA PAY
TOOK UP MY LADY
THEY MUST BE CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZY
HE TOLD A LIE NOW BUT, BUT HE REALLY GONNA PAY
FOREVER FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER
AND A DAY
FOREVER FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER
AND A DAY
I'M GONNA FIND HIM
THEN I'M GONNA REMIND HIM
HE MAY BE THE BLOODY MASTER
BUT NOT ONE OF HIS FATE FATE FATE
HE LIED TO THE AGENT HE LIED HE LIED
BUT HE GOT HIS PAYCHECK YOU SON OF A *#@^#*
AND WHEN I FIND HIM
HE REALLY GONNA PAY
GONNA GIVE EM GIVE EM SOME OF THAT
ACTION ACTION READ ALL ABOUT IT YEAH YEAH
ACTION FOR SLANDER READ ALL ABOUT IT
IF YOU CAN READ LOOK AT THIS
ACTION ACTION READ ALL ABOUT IT
ACTION FOR SLANDER READ ALL ABOUT IT
STICK HIM IN THE GROUND SIX FEET DOWN
ACTION ACTION READ ALL ABOUT IT
FRONT PAGE NEWS BILL
ACTION FOR SLANDER READ ALL ABOUT IT
ON THE SUBWAY WALL PAUL
ACTION ACTION READ ALL ABOUT IT
NO NO SCREAM BLOODY MURDER
ACTION ACTION READ ALL ABOUT IT!
4 comments:
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the blog. The fans also respect and appreciate Kenny Shields and Streetheart. Keep on rockin, four more sleeps until August 12 casino show.
Cool - so that's what the words are...
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