Holiday Show Found Footage

[VinceRaven]

Hey Dennis,

Any thoughts you can share with us on the (silent) found footage of the December 14, 1973 show? I know a lot of fans have been fascinated by the gigs you had to do with minimal stage set and props.

A particular highlight for me is the Michael and Alice dancing with each other at about a minute-and-a-half in.

I'm also intrigued by the bit at just over six minutes into it when you guys are behaving like cannibals or something similarly depraved, with Alice nowhere to be seen. Refreshing to see the band taking centre stage.

Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk6elBf0FFo

[Dreary]

It's easy to see the band was having fun being a band again without the separation created by that albatross of a stage, which didn't arrive in time for that particular show due to a blizzard. I say albatross because it's design separated the singer from the band.

At that era's ticket prices, we were told, we weren't making anywhere near the money that the media was reporting, as in The New Tycoons (Cover of Forbes Magazine), because we were putting our money back into the show, which meant the stage.

The stage was, however, instrumental in setting us apart from all other bands at that time. It pioneered arena spectacle, which continues to this day, although higher ticket prices of subsequent years better support elaborate staging while still affording a significant profit.

The band never "refused to do theatrics" as echoed in the press for decades. We just wanted what you see in this footage, which is plenty theatrical, and way more fun.

We had the same kind of fun in Brazil for our last few shows sans stage.

[Ted Sallis]

At that era's ticket prices, we were told, we weren't making anywhere near the money that the media was reporting, as in The New Tycoons (Cover of Forbes Magazine), because we were putting our money back into the show, which meant the stage.

At the beginning of one of the chapters in your book, you stated how in 1972 the ACG Members weren't millionaires when fans were paying $3.50 per ticket for a show. Quite understandable. Then in 1973, the media reported that the Group made 5 million dollars from the BDB (Spring) Tour; in his own book, Michael Bruce stated that the cost of the Tour was 4.5 million. Which just goes to show the reality of touring/show business life, and the realities of having to pay to play.

Ted

[Dreary]

At that era's ticket prices, we were told, we weren't making anywhere near the money that the media was reporting, as in The New Tycoons (Cover of Forbes Magazine), because we were putting our money back into the show, which meant the stage.

At the beginning of one of the chapters in your book, you stated how in 1972 the ACG Members weren't millionaires when fans were paying $3.50 per ticket for a show. Quite understandable. Then in 1973, the media reported that the Group made 5 million dollars from the BDB (Spring) Tour; in his own book, Michael Bruce stated that the cost of the Tour was 4.5 million. Which just goes to show the reality of touring/show business life, and the realities of having to pay to play.

Ted

The other agitating element was seeing certain people enjoying extravagant perks, like transporting their dog in a limousine, while not giving us the full amount we ask for to buy strings because they assumed we were padding our expenses and pocketing the extra like they were.

[Daggers & Contracts]

At that era's ticket prices, we were told, we weren't making anywhere near the money that the media was reporting, as in The New Tycoons (Cover of Forbes Magazine), because we were putting our money back into the show, which meant the stage.

At the beginning of one of the chapters in your book, you stated how in 1972 the ACG Members weren't millionaires when fans were paying $3.50 per ticket for a show. Quite understandable. Then in 1973, the media reported that the Group made 5 million dollars from the BDB (Spring) Tour; in his own book, Michael Bruce stated that the cost of the Tour was 4.5 million. Which just goes to show the reality of touring/show business life, and the realities of having to pay to play.

Ted

The other agitating element was seeing certain people enjoying extravagant perks, like transporting their dog in a limousine, while not giving us the full amount we ask for to buy strings because they assumed we were padding our expenses and pocketing the extra like they were.

I did know a Local guitarist (not Bassist) that always replaced his strings before every gig.
Is this a reasonable expense?
I saw Roy Clark (also Local but, International) break a High E string playing "Ghost Riders In The Sky" & change key on the fly on "The Tonight Show" & only Johnny noticed. No High def then.
Thanks, Dr. D.