Re: Why is ABB a flop in the US ?
Date: October 27, 2005 23:34
A lot of good points, but to me the big reasons for DISAPPOINTING (by Stones standards, as in less than 40 Lix, B2B & VL) has to do with the issue that began with VL, their first album w/ no big hit single (SW's Mixed Emotions reached # 5, Rock In a Hard Place # 23) - lack of significant radio play, & fundamental changes in radio formats over the past 10-15 years. Many big acts, including Neil Young, REM, Pearl Jam, (the latter 2 are 20 & 30 years younger than the Stones as bands) & others have a hard time getting airplay on new albums, & sales have suffered as a consequence. The discrepency between who does well on tour & who gets airplay/hit albums is dramatic. You can hear Led Zep (or Neil's 'Heart Of Gold) on certain formats every day, but not the new Robert Plant, which went from # 22 - # 84 in its first 2 weeks - a very well received cd by both fans & critics. That's why the RS have taken deals w/ that soap, the NFL, etc...