phd wrote asking harm: "The papers I read in Milan Wednesday, including Corriere della Sera which I brought home, as well as TV, talked about 65,000."

Correct.

Jack Knife wrote:

(A) "Why were there so many empty seats at this show? I've never heard of one of their shows having 10, 000 unsold tickets! Are the Rolling Stones not big in Germany? Who would have sold out the stadium? Would U2 and Robbie Williams have done better?"

Calm yourself, Jack Knife! Also in 2003 there were a lot of unsold tickets in Germany. That's explainable. The Stones did an incredible number of gigs in Germany and Holland, since 1994/95. Much more than any other famous act, U2 and Robbie Williams included. It's logical to be some satiety there. Count two more factors: first, their ticket prices which are geting -unfortunately- higher and higher. Second, the World Cup. The Stones ALWAYS had some problems touring in countries in which WC took place. A lot of people were spending earlier their money for this event, which is expensive too. That's why the Stones had canceled Turin II gig in 1990 and Stade De France II in 1998. No big deal.

( "I guess it's a good thing they canceled a lot of dates since they can't sell out the ones they have."

What do you mean? Maybe they had to cancel, in every case, one- two dates in Germany. But in the rest of Europe? Madrid, Barcelona, Sweeden, Belgium were sold out. Stade De France, olny 8,000 unsold tickets in the day of the cancelation. This gig would be sold out or near it, i guess. Athens was selling faster than in 1998. There are 500,000 tickets, sold but "lost", here...

(C) "It really is the last time and it really is all over now...."

Maybe, but only due to their age or to Charlie's health. If a band can attract MILLION of people on it's third tour in the last 9 years (not even a decade!), with these @#$%& ticket prices, after having played to 22 million people since 1989, then this band haven't reasons to quit. Not even to play in smaller venues. Only to reconsider some factors, like prices, number of gigs, etc.

I said it a million times, i say it once again. Attracting 4.5 million people in 2005/6, on a tour which takes place after a short break of just 3 years, is MORE REMARKABLE than playing to 6 million in 1989/90. After a break of 7 years, when everyone wanted to see the "rare" act.
During the seventies, when the Stones did tours every 3 years (Europe 1973, 1976- USA 1969, 1972, 1975, 1978) they attracted 300,000 or 600,000 people on every round. Now, even the "broken", "shattered" european tour will be for one million + people.

Their popularity after 42 years of career is a miracle. Their concerts are very good. Why so much "catastrophism" here? Even this tour is the end, it is a proud end!

TeleK Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hey roadstar,were you onstage yesterday?


see onstage thread

j442211 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lorenz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Performance wise the show was excellent, by all
> > standards. The mix alone let's all Licks shows
> > look pale. If you are not happy with that
> > performance in Munich, then I seriously don't
> know
> > what you expect.
>
>
> Lorenz, I've been to stones shows where I've come
> away with a grin which stayed on my face for weeks
> afterwards. Last night was just not one of those
> nights. The sound was fantastic, the band tried as
> hard they could, but it just didn't work the way
> that it should. All bands have nights like that.
> They dont cost 120 euros, though.

I know what you mean, but that can also depend on your mood or state...I enjoyed myself more in Vienna, but to be fair I have to say that the show in Munich was better quality wise.


Belgrade-Bucharest-Budapest-Brno

we could sovle this attendence question if someone who was there would just tell us if the place was full or not, geez is it that hard

melillo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> we could sovle this attendence question if someone
> who was there would just tell us if the place was
> full or not, geez is it that hard

No, it wasn't full.
85% full or so, perhaps?


Belgrade-Bucharest-Budapest-Brno

melillo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> we could sovle this attendence question if someone
> who was there would just tell us if the place was
> full or not, geez is it that hard


It has been stated a few times in this thread, but, again, just for you, IT WAS NOT FULL!!!!!!!!!!

Lorenz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> melillo Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > we could sovle this attendence question if
> someone
> > who was there would just tell us if the place
> was
> > full or not, geez is it that hard
>
> No, it wasn't full.
> 85% full or so, perhaps?


maybe a little bit more but not sold out

thank you gentlemen, i feel much better now

The Rough Justice start was funny. But Keith didn't @#$%& up - Mick said he wasn't ready, I think. Ronnie saved the whole thing by playing the riff until Mick was ready and the others joined in.


Belgrade-Bucharest-Budapest-Brno

I was standing about 3 feet away from Ronnie while he kept on playing the riff - and his face was a picture! Even Keith was having a good laugh at that!

Just one more answer, Jack Knife.
You wrote : "i've never heard of one of their shows having 10,000 unsold tickets!"

First of all, Chile gig, 1995. Only 46,000 sold tickets, out of 60,000.
Of course, 10,000 unsold tickets in a stadium with capacity 75,000 is not worse than having 5,000, or 6,000 or 8,000 unsold tickets in a smaller venue of 35,000 or 40,000 capacity.

So note some numbers from the B2B Tour. (capacities- officialy mentioned)


North America

Winnipeg Stadium, Manitoba. 34, 685 tickets. Capacity 40,000.
Camp Randall Stadium. 27,087 tickets. Capacity 35,000.
Rich Stadium. 30,404 tickets. Capacity 35,000
Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth. 43,496 tickets. Capacity 50,000.
Aloha Stadium, Honolulu. 54,006 tickets. Capacity 60,000.

Europe

Malaga. 34,450 tickets. Capacity 40,000.
Gelsenkirchen. 34,610 tickets. Capacity 40,000.
Bremen 32,288 tickets. Capacity 40,000.
Tallin. 28,152 tickets. Capacity 40,000.
Instanbul. 14,873 tickets. Capacity 20,000.

I don't mention, of course, other shows which had been near sold out. So, with your logic, the Stones should quit since 1998! Also U2 should quit since 1997, because then played in the US in a lot half-empty stadiums! Face it: a huge act that plays to million of people, all around the world, cannot fill up every stadium, everywhere. Especially if the frequency of the previous tours was so high.

You guys are right.

I feel better now.

Lost me head there for a minute. I've taken my pills and I'm all right now.