how popular is Alice in the US

[glamprincess]

but people get a bit excited if they haven't seen something for awhile. He was touring these same small place during Special Forces. Took a break from touring, and even prior to breaking out with Trash, he toured larger places.

While taking a break from touring can generate more sales, that was NOT the reason that Alice's "comeback" tour in 1986-87 was so successful and he was selling out large arenas. Alice's popularity in the early 80s was much lower because that was the period of "new wave" acts. But by the mid-80s, glam rock and heavy metal made a HUGE resurgence and all the popular acts (like Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, etc.) were citing Alice Cooper as their big influence. So the public was interested in the return of the One Who Influenced the Whole Heavy Metal and Glam scene: Alice Cooper....and that was the real reason why Alice was touring arenas and selling out large venues in the late 80s. Just taking a break does not cause an act to go from theatres to large arenas....there has to be much more to cause that to happen and there was in this case.

[glamprincess]

In the US the show seems more like a club act. At some of the venues he plays here there is little room too have a big show.

Alice is NOT a club act. In the US, he is considered what is known as a "mid-level" act which are acts which play the medium-size venues like theatres and amphitheatres. On the one hand, there are acts like AC/DC which are selling out the large arenas and stadiums and on the other end, there are acts that are now playing the club circuit. Alice does not play clubs and is between those two groups, a "mid-level" act.

[glamprincess]

and the crowds seem more fervent.

It's important to remember that the US is much larger and more diverse than the UK. So there are areas of the US and Canada where Alice has more fervent followings than other areas in the US/Canada. For example, Alice has always been more popular in states like Michigan or Ohio than in states like Utah or Alabama. America is very diverse. So there are just as fervent followings in parts of the US and Canada too, in cities like Detroit and Toronto, for example.

[cooperrocks]

You are not wrong Wicked Young Man. There are definitely plenty of shows Alice does not sell out, but there are also plenty of shows that Alice does sell out or gets close. I am not arguing with you. Several of buddies of mine who are into Alice have made comments not so much about the audience numbers but the type of venues Alice is playing such as State Fairs and casinos. Personally I think if it keeps Alice going terrific. However, and this has been discussed before for some reason there is a stigma (though not as bad as it used to be) that playing casinos and state fairs is a bad thing.

The point I was trying to make and perhaps I did it poorly, is Alice still draws pretty well when compared to many artists from the 70's and 80's. I also do think that the type of venue does influence the casual fan (not the diehards but the casual fan) A good friend of mine loves classic rock, but she refuses to go to see any shows at a casino. She thinks gambling is wrong and says she would be a hypocrite to go to a place that promotes that. However, she goes to many shows at amphitheatres and theatres. In other words, there are a variety of things to consider. I am sure many people go to see bands at state fairs and casinos that probably wouldn't otherwise go.

[ThePainAddict]

GlamP,
While absence may make the heart grow fonder, I was not suggesting that was the only factor Alice's 80s success. However, I believe it to be a contributor, just as his constant touring now has created diminishing returns, which have somwhat leveled off. As my allusion to other groups who return (H&H) or possible return (DP), generate some amount of hype based, in part, on their absence. If H&H continued to tour at Alice's pace for the next 4-5 years, they would see themselves playing smaller venues. That is why I suggested that a "reunion" tour could generate some hype to push for larger venues, albeit a rather modest increase.

[glamprincess]

GlamP,
While absence may make the heart grow fonder, I was not suggesting that was the only factor Alice's 80s success. However, I believe it to be a contributor, just as his constant touring now has created diminishing returns, which have somwhat leveled off. As my allusion to other groups who return (H&H) or possible return (DP), generate some amount of hype based, in part, on their absence. If H&H continued to tour at Alice's pace for the next 4-5 years, they would see themselves playing smaller venues.

I agree that an act may sell more tickets when it takes a break rather than tours constantly. I was just pointing out that a significant increase like the one experienced during the late 1980s was due to another factor: Alice's genre of music (glam and heavy metal) making a huge comeback and Alice cited as the big influence of that whole resurgence.

[pitkin88]

and the crowds seem more fervent.

It's important to remember that the US is much larger and more diverse than the UK. So there are areas of the US and Canada where Alice has more fervent followings than other areas in the US/Canada. For example, Alice has always been more popular in states like Michigan or Ohio than in states like Utah or Alabama. America is very diverse. So there are just as fervent followings in parts of the US and Canada too, in cities like Detroit and Toronto, for example.

On the whole this is not the case though. I'd be interested to see how popular Alice is in the US though. I think I'm the only one who took a stab at it.

[glamprincess]

On the whole this is not the case though. I'd be interested to see how popular Alice is in the US though. I think I'm the only one who took a stab at it.

We have taken stabs at it...both in the past and I even talk about this on the other thread about where Alice has played over the last decade. As I said on that other thread, it seems that Alice is more popular in places that are more "liberal". He seems to enjoy greater popularity in Canada and Europe than in the US and I think it is because he is more popular in the countries that are more "liberal". Even within the US, this appears to be true with Alice seeming to be more popular in the blue (liberal) states than in the red (conservative) states.

[Shoesalesman]

As I said on that other thread, it seems that Alice is more popular in places that are more "liberal".

We're pretty conservative out here in the west, especially Alberta, but he does seem to like coming out this way; he did five shows in Alberta alone last tour and I believe all but one were sold out and the one that wasn't was almost a sell out. Maybe he likes the cowboy hats and six-shooters being fired into the air.

[glamprincess]

As I said on that other thread, it seems that Alice is more popular in places that are more "liberal".

We're pretty conservative out here in the west, especially Alberta, but he does seem to like coming out this way; he did five shows in Alberta alone last tour and I believe all but one were sold out and the one that wasn't was almost a sell out. Maybe he likes the cowboy hats and six-shooters being fired into the air.

You are right. He is quite popular all over Canada. Canada is more liberal than the US. While you are more conservative in Alberta, keep in mind that "conservative" in Canada is not like "conservative" in the US as Canada is a more liberal country. And Alice seems to enjoy greater popularity in Canada than he does in the US. That's why he plays so many igloos....I mean venues over here.

[Shoesalesman]

That's why he plays so many igloos....I mean venues over here.

I didn't see any parkas with the Coop logo being sold at the swag table.

[glamprincess]

That's why he plays so many igloos....I mean venues over here.

I didn't see any parkas with the Coop logo being sold at the swag table.

Well the Alice camp should start selling them, eh? They'd make a bundle!

[TonyfromNH]

are you kidding? no comparison. alice might be able to bring in 3k, in a good night. kiss can still pull in up to 10k.

Alice numbers are accurate. KISS....just a "smidge" more than 10k.

[RemarkablyInsincere]

are you kidding? no comparison. alice might be able to bring in 3k, in a good night. kiss can still pull in up to 10k.

Alice numbers are accurate. KISS....just a "smidge" more than 10k.

The last full US KISS tour in 2004 did not draw well... even with a known act like Poison on the bill they were drawing 5-7k in many cities and the word was much of that was comp tix. Supposedly, many promoters took a bath and that's why it's been their longest period ever between major US tours.

They've done spot shows in the US since then... playing smaller casino venues and select larger venues here and there. They're still immensely popular overseas and in South America though.

After years of nothing but pure nostalgia, it will be interesting to see how they draw on their upcoming US tour. This will be the first time since 1998 they're touring on a new album, a new stage show and (possibly) new costumes. It's been announced that they're touring with Buckcherry which is not a big enough name, if you ask me, to fill the types of venues they want to play. If they don't have a bigger name on the bill, I think the numbers will be sub par again.

I'm actually happy Alice seems content to play the smaller venues... it makes for a much more enjoyable experience for the fan. I also would rather Alice not do the co-headlining tours in the bigger venues. Not only is the experience not as good, but you end up competing with fans of the other co-headliner for the best seats.

[glamprincess]

The last full US KISS tour in 2004 did not draw well... even with a known act like Poison on the bill they were drawing 5-7k in many cities and the word was much of that was comp tix. Supposedly, many promoters took a bath and that's why it's been their longest period ever between major US tours.

They've done spot shows in the US since then... playing smaller casino venues and select larger venues here and there.

Yes, that's what I heard too. I don't think they are drawing as well in the US these days as some think. Obviously their big "reunion" in the late 90s was extrememly successful but things changed by the 2000s. I heard that Kiss are playing a casino somewhere on the radio recently so they are playing casinos just like Alice does.

[TonyfromNH]

I heard that Kiss are playing a casino somewhere on the radio recently so they are playing casinos just like Alice does.

KISS has played numerous casino's over the past years, but many casino's have 3 "rooms" or more. IE: Alice will play the casino theatre and KISS would for example play Mohegan Sun's arena.

I would much rather see Alice in a small place anyway.

Although this is a business, Alice enjoys the small venues and genuinely appreciates the fans. Tell KISS that they will make 40k to do a show and see how much they love the fans.

[daytripper]

I like the smaller places too .
I saw him in an old theatre down town. It was cool.

[glamprincess]

I heard that Kiss are playing a casino somewhere on the radio recently so they are playing casinos just like Alice does.

KISS has played numerous casino's over the past years, but many casino's have 3 "rooms" or more. IE: Alice will play the casino theatre and KISS would for example play Mohegan Sun's arena.

While Kiss may be drawing bigger crowds in the US than Alice does, I do think Remarkably Insincere knows what he is talking about. He knows a lot about Kiss and he tends to be a reliable source.

[pitkin88]

I heard that Kiss are playing a casino somewhere on the radio recently so they are playing casinos just like Alice does.

KISS has played numerous casino's over the past years, but many casino's have 3 "rooms" or more. IE: Alice will play the casino theatre and KISS would for example play Mohegan Sun's arena.

I would much rather see Alice in a small place anyway.

Although this is a business, Alice enjoys the small venues and genuinely appreciates the fans. Tell KISS that they will make 40k to do a show and see how much they love the fans.

Do I detect some Kiss jealousy? Kiss have been bigger than Alice for a loooonnngg time. Not better mind.

[mattcoddington]

Do I detect some Kiss jealousy? Kiss have been bigger than Alice for a loooonnngg time. Not better mind.

exactly. and kiss can still sell out stadiums. alice can't. however, i wouldn't judge the popularity of an act by playing casinos. casinos pay extremely well and the turn out is always great.