ABB seems to do much better sales in Europe than in USA. And the reason is...

(1) ... the European fan base of the Stones is younger, so the fans in Europe are much interested in band’s new stuff. Americans are satisfied just bying compilations like “Jump Back” or “40 Licks” and going to see the Stones once again.

(2) ...into the american music industry there is not enough space for rock anymore, especialy for the “traditional” rock stars, because the artists of hip hop, R&B and country are very popular. Springsteen, U2 and some new bands with big hype are just exceptions to the rule.

(3) ... In the USA the neo- conservativies declare a “secret doycott” against ABB (just kidding...but...truly, who knows???)

If you want select atleast one reason, give another reasons or add more “choices”. Thanks.

In the USA:

General population: Don't even know they are still around
Casual fan: Doesn't want to be bothered with new stuff, likes the hits
Fanatic: There just aren't enough of them to offset the pop/rap megahits

Oh, and downloading.

SOL is for European fans, not North Americans. SOL's working in Europe.
IMO


The Rolling Stones' single "Streets Of Love" is storming the European charts. In Spain, "Streets Of Love" currently sits atop the charts in the #1 position! Elsewhere, the single is finding similar success.

"Steets Of Love" entered Holland's singles charts at #5. This occasion marks the highest chart positioning for a Stones' single in Holland since "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" entered the charts at #4 in 1965. In the UK and Germany,

That's from rs.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-09-14 07:17 by camper88.

younger audiences go to shows in Europe due to (mostly) sensible ticket prices - with the knock on affect that they're still aware of the band's new material. American audiences tend to be older and uninterested in anything new - as can be seen by the sales of the new album even though the concert tickets are selling well.

US radio is more 'specialised' than it is in Europe. So, the Stones are effectively bracketed as an oldies act in the US.

US radio is also more censored than Europe. RJ (which was the song tailored more for airplay in the US than SOL) didnt get much airplay due to the word "cocks"..even though its only a double entendre. No radio station in any other English speaking country would have such ludicrous censorship.

I know you made point (3) as a bit of a joke, but I wouldnt be surprised if there has been reluctance in some quarters to play the band's new music as a result of Sweet NeoCon. Not blanket censorship to the ludicrous extent that the Dixie Chicks got, but when something crazy like that happens, anything is possible, even to a lesser degree. Most of the publicity in the ordinary media in the US seems to have been about that one song (albeit almost all of it before it was released) and whilst it may not have affected sales THAT much, I'm sure it didnt help either

Yes Gazza, the point (3) was "A BIT of joke" as you said. In other words my thoughs are similar to yours on this sudject...

so ABB is #1 in Italy, Germany, Holland; #2 in UK, #3 in France. those are big marckets.
does it mean that ABB is #1 in Europe?
is there any united European chat?

It could also be because odd young rockers in the US have thousands of exciting young rock bands to follow.

At least here in Italy there is no souch a rock and roll scene. Lenny Kravitz, Green Day, U2 and, occasionaly, the Stones is all that an odd young rocker could get.

C

KillRill wrote: "so ABB is #1 in Italy, Germany, Holland; #2 in UK, #3 in France. those are big marckets. Does it mean that ABB is #1 in Europe? Is there any united European chat?"

Yes, there is Eurochart. We'll see it. I think it is based on the sales of various (realy,how many?) european countries. May be Georgelicks or Gazza know the countries that Eurochart includes.

the market in the US is much bigger and different. You have so many options of artists also locally which do quite well in the charts. In Europe people also buy when the review is pretty good, even if they don't know the artists so well. Mind you young people are searching for other music styles than only canned heat music like house/rap or whatever. Look to the revival of reaggae parties.
I think the Stones did a bigger bang though I am still waiting on my copy and they proved to be still THE band to have survived all those windy roads.

Lodge

I think you'll find the market in Europe is actually bigger (in terms of population) and more diverse than the US (more acts doing well in their native country but not in others). Surely a continent of over 50 countries with as many different languages and cultures is going to have less in common between themselves than any states in the USA would have

stickydion Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes Gazza, the point (3) was "A BIT of joke" as
> you said. In other words my thoughs are similar to
> yours on this sudject...


we agree on something at last! there is hope for the world! LOL

Agree, but I also think The Stones are accepted differently in EU than in US. I do not say that they are not accepted and apppreciated, but it's a different attitude. I also see this talking with US fans and EU fans. There are so many facettes of accpeting

I agree that U.S. radio has gotten extremely narrow. It is really incredibly difficult for new rock songs to get airplay. Top 40 radio is almost exclusively teen pop and rap music. Weird combination, but that's what the powers-that-be have decreed will be sold to the public.

Lodge, I would like to hear more about how the Stones are perceived differently in Europe.

Ialways thought that the Stones were more popular in the U.S.

they are when it comes to generating money as its financially their #1 market - thats primarily down to revenue generated by ticket sales

Per head of population, there are other countries where they sell as many tickets but obviously because the US is so vast, theyre going to generate more money there than in say, Holland, Argentina, Germany or the Uk etc, so therefore they tour there for longer (although they actually played more European shows on the last tour than they did in North America)

Chart wise, there are lots of countries where the band do at least as well, if not better

A Bigger Bang premiered no 1 in Canada!

Canada???!!!!
are they still around!!??

Just kidding.....

The STones didn't do that bad in America really
When they were up against Fiddy Cent and Kayne West

ABB is just for the already fans. I don't think they will gain any 'new' fans on this record.

maybe, but the "already fans" didnt buy it!

Most of my friends here in the U.S. (age range 30-50) think the Stones are a thing of the past. You tell them that the new album is great and it's like you just told them that Loren Becall (bad spelling?) is still hot.

Another factor here in the U.S. could be the concentration of media ownership. For example 'Clear Channel' owns a HUGE number of stations nation wide, So if they decide NOT to play the Stones new stuff it results in a huge number of people not hearing it. And btw if anyone would be suspect of boycotting The Stones based on Sweet Neocon it would be them. And very possible, though you'd never hear it publically.


I ain't stupid, I'm just guitarded.

"so ABB is #1 in Italy, Germany, Holland; #2 in UK, #3 in France. those are big marckets.
does it mean that ABB is #1 in Europe?
is there any united European chat?"
(KillRill)

#1 in Sweden too.

"We agree on something at last! there is hope for the world!"

Gazza we agree sometimes, not so rarely. But when we disagree, we do it very strongly! That's the "problem"...

NO.1 IN SWEDEN

Vilhelm
Nordic Stones Vikings

RankOutsider Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Another factor here in the U.S. could be the
> concentration of media ownership. For example
> 'Clear Channel' owns a HUGE number of stations
> nation wide, So if they decide NOT to play the
> Stones new stuff it results in a huge number of
> people not hearing it. And btw if anyone would be
> suspect of boycotting The Stones based on Sweet
> Neocon it would be them. And very possible, though
> you'd never hear it publically.
>

That's an excellent point -- Clear Channel are major contributors to the Republican Party.

stickydion Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "We agree on something at last! there is hope for
> the world!"
>
> Gazza we agree sometimes, not so rarely. But when
> we disagree, we do it very strongly! That's the
> "problem"...


only because we both have a 'passion', mate and therefore strong opinions.

Its not really a problem, I'm sure you'd agree

Cheers