The way it is

[*Laura]

Susie,unfortunately,this whole story is not about a singer's bad night because of a cold or something.This is much worse.

As for this part...

if the singer is croaky or whatever, I would rather hear his/her voice on a track than have the gig cancelled/or listen to a struggling vocalist all night.

I will just say this: if a surgeon’s hand is shaking,he must retire or else he’ll start killing people.If an athlete injures his legs,he will have to stop running.
If a singer loses his voice he must stop singing.

To be honest,when I see an athlete breaking the world record I need to know that he ran without being helped by steroids or whatever they are taking,
or else I’d lose my respect for his effort.It’s a fake record and he wouldn’t deserve the glory and the money,you know?
So if a singer’s voice is shot,why use a tape and deceive people?Any singer who does that it’s not worth the respect and the money,IMO.

Sometimes I am ashamed of this world we’re living in…Fake food,fake boobs,fake smiles…at least keep the music real for God sake’s!

[JrnySuxBalls]

Sometimes I am ashamed of this world we’re living in…Fake food,fake boobs,fake smiles…at least keep the music real for God sake’s!

Amen! And yes fake boobs suck!!

[SusieP]

Yes okay, if it is happening EVERY night. But is it really every night, or just when he's having some difficulties. I don't profess to know.
It is an interesting debate, though. A voice shouldn't be ruined if the vocalist sings within his/her range and rests in between gigs.
Has this guy been straining, I wonder? How can we tell if he's never actually doing it live? Hmmmmmm. It's a curious situation, this.

Maybe they should get a new lead singer. One who bears no resemblance to any who have gone before.
A female soprano who can hit all the high notes, perhaps.

If only I were a soprano, .

[wildone]

Yes okay, if it is happening EVERY night. But is it really every night, or just when he's having some difficulties. I don't profess to know.
It is an interesting debate, though. A voice shouldn't be ruined if the vocalist sings within his/her range and rests in between gigs.
Has this guy been straining, I wonder? How can we tell if he's never actually doing it live? Hmmmmmm. It's a curious situation, this.

Maybe they should get a new lead singer. One who bears no resemblance to any who have gone before.
A female soprano who can hit all the high notes, perhaps.

If only I were a soprano, .

and call them the new journey....heck the cars had to change there name to tour again!!!

[whocares]

Yes okay, if it is happening EVERY night. But is it really every night, or just when he's having some difficulties. I don't profess to know.
It is an interesting debate, though. A voice shouldn't be ruined if the vocalist sings within his/her range and rests in between gigs.
Has this guy been straining, I wonder? How can we tell if he's never actually doing it live? Hmmmmmm. It's a curious situation, this.

Maybe they should get a new lead singer. One who bears no resemblance to any who have gone before.
A female soprano who can hit all the high notes, perhaps.

If only I were a soprano, .

If the lead singer is having problems then they need to take a break. If he's "just having difficulties" and hey are using tape, then I want to know, becasue I'm paying to see a LIVE show, not just a show. I'm not much of a person who is into theatrics.

[SusieP]

If the lead singer is having problems then they need to take a break. If he's "just having difficulties" and hey are using tape, then I want to know, becasue I'm paying to see a LIVE show, not just a show. I'm not much of a person who is into theatrics.

Yep. I'm with you on that one. Do we know for sure that these alleged lip-synched performances haven't been just the odd occasion when he had a cold or something? Does the alleged proof really confirm it's a regular thing? I'm still not sure.

I'm curious, how often are they doing live gigs in the States? They haven't graced the UK with their presence for 26 years, so it was good to have them back whatever the situation.
Seriously, how many gigs in a row do they actually do? And how many nights off in between?

What I'm getting at is - why should he need to take a break? A singer in a musical can sustain 8 live shows a week. OK they aren't singing lead for 2 hours or so, like a lead singer in a rock band is, but that's still a lot of singing.
If he isn't gigging every night for months without a few nights off, or straining his voice by singing out of his range when he IS gigging - why does he need a break?
It should be possible to comfortably do 3-4 live gigs a week if the voice is rested in between.
Unless there are serious vocal issues. Which is I guess what everyone is suspecting and why they are suggesting it may be time to hang up the mic and retire?

And they can't be gigging purely for the money, so surely they could do one gig, have three nights off, do another gig, have three nights off etc?

It works for Bryan Adams! He's almost always 'on tour' but he has loads of nights off in between gigs.

Or they could just transpose the tricky songs for him so he isn't straining?

It's all very interesting.

[whocares]

Yes Susie, it would appear by all accounts that they are "gigging for the money", as there apparently isn't much else of a reason to be out EVERY U.S. Summer without new material, or only a few songs on an EP. Not to mention other months here and there.

I'd say there is a very good reason why they only toured every few years with Perry. That reason being the music, and how hard it is to perform night after night, year after year. With Perry they har longer tours, but the days off were spread out and they dind't go out every year.

Think about the time between Frontiers and Rasied on Radio. 2+ years from the time the Frontiers tour ended, until the release of ROR. We had a chance to "miss seeing the band live". Now they are shoving themselves down out throats. (if we dare go every year to see them, which it appears some people do, often to 10+ shows a year. That's a lot of money they are spending, especially when they are geting the so called 5* care packages at over $100 a pop.

[jrnysc]

If the lead singer is having problems then they need to take a break. If he's "just having difficulties" and hey are using tape, then I want to know, becasue I'm paying to see a LIVE show, not just a show. I'm not much of a person who is into theatrics.

Yep. I'm with you on that one.

I'm curious, how often are they doing live gigs in the States? They haven't graced the UK with their presence for 26 years, so it was good to have them back whatever the situation.
Seriously, how many gigs in a row do they actually do? And how many nights off in between?

What I'm getting at is - why should he need to take a break? A singer in a musical can sustain 8 live shows a week. OK they aren't singing lead for 2 hours or so, like a lead singer in a rock band is, but that's still a lot of singing.
If he isn't gigging every night for months without a few nights off, or straining his voice by singing out of his range when he IS gigging - why does he need a break?
It should be possible to comfortably do 3-4 live gigs a week if the voice is rested in between.
Unless there are serious vocal issues. Which is I guess what everyone is suspecting and why they are suggesting it may be time to hang up the mic and retire?

And they can't be gigging for the money, so surely they could do one gig, have three nights off, do another gig, have three nights off etc?

It works for Bryan Adams! He's almost always 'on tour' but he has loads of nights off in between gigs.

Steve began having some problems last year, and then came down with pneumonia a few months ago. If I remember correctly (someone correct me if I am wrong), I believe at one point he lost his voice completely. He is a human being having some issues it seems right now. I will say Steve is a genuinely great guy, and this has to be killing him. He is so proud of the legacy of this band and being part of it. One thing I have noticed he is doing which should help is he is not even attempting some of the very high notes. I have also noticed Deen is taking some of those for him. Some rest and I think he would be fine.

[SusieP]

Steve began having some problems last year, and then came down with pneumonia a few months ago. If I remember correctly (someone correct me if I am wrong), I believe at one point he lost his voice completely. He is a human being having some issues it seems right now. I will say Steve is a genuinely great guy, and this has to be killing him. He is so proud of the legacy of this band and being part of it. One thing I have noticed he is doing which should help is he is not even attempting some of the very high notes. I have also noticed Deen is taking some of those for him. Some rest and I think he would be fine.

Gotcha, thanks.
Sounds to me like he came back too soon then. And that maybe he feels obligated or under pressure from the rest of the band?
I sing. I KNOW what colds and crap can do to your voice! If you come back too soon, its a nightmare.

[conversationpc]

What I'm getting at is - why should he need to take a break? A singer in a musical can sustain 8 live shows a week. OK they aren't singing lead for 2 hours or so, like a lead singer in a rock band is, but that's still a lot of singing.
If he isn't gigging every night for months without a few nights off, or straining his voice by singing out of his range when he IS gigging - why does he need a break?
It should be possible to comfortably do 3-4 live gigs a week if the voice is rested in between.
Unless there are serious vocal issues.

Most professional singers, and I'm not one, will probably tell you that singing rock 'n' roll is a lot different than singing other types of music. From what I can tell, it's more of a throaty type of singing, which can damage the vocal cords a little more than, say, opera singing. It's kind of interesting to read about the different types of voice, i.e., normal voice, head voice, falsetto, etc. If I'm wrong here, please correct me.

[jrnysc]

Steve began having some problems last year, and then came down with pneumonia a few months ago. If I remember correctly (someone correct me if I am wrong), I believe at one point he lost his voice completely. He is a human being having some issues it seems right now. I will say Steve is a genuinely great guy, and this has to be killing him. He is so proud of the legacy of this band and being part of it. One thing I have noticed he is doing which should help is he is not even attempting some of the very high notes. I have also noticed Deen is taking some of those for him. Some rest and I think he would be fine.

Gotcha, thanks.
Sounds to me like he came back too soon then. And that maybe he feels obligated or under pressure from the rest of the band?
I sing. I KNOW what colds and crap can do to your voice! If you come back too soon, its a nightmare.

Perhaps too soon, and perhaps he really had no choice due to the money involved with this tour. What I'm saying is, perhaps he started having issues again shortly before the tour started. Don't know for sure. That is just speculation.

[SusieP]

What I'm getting at is - why should he need to take a break? A singer in a musical can sustain 8 live shows a week. OK they aren't singing lead for 2 hours or so, like a lead singer in a rock band is, but that's still a lot of singing.
If he isn't gigging every night for months without a few nights off, or straining his voice by singing out of his range when he IS gigging - why does he need a break?
It should be possible to comfortably do 3-4 live gigs a week if the voice is rested in between.
Unless there are serious vocal issues.

Most professional singers, and I'm not one, will probably tell you that singing rock 'n' roll is a lot different than singing other types of music. From what I can tell, it's more of a throaty type of singing, which can damage the vocal cords a little more than, say, opera singing. It's kind of interesting to read about the different types of voice, i.e., normal voice, head voice, falsetto, etc. If I'm wrong here, please correct me.

Well I've never done opera so I can't comment on that, but I did several musicals when I was younger, (8 shows a week) and now I sing rock, pop and jazz 52 weeks a year, 3-4 nights a week.

All styles can be difficult in different ways - except perhaps Jazz. That style isn't as demanding because it's not necessary to sing powerfully.
I believe that whatever your style, it shouldn't strain your vocal cords if you are singing in your range and doing it correctly.
Even rock style. If you strain that's when you get nodules and nasties.
Of course alcohol, smoking (tobacco or dope) and narcotics will also give you trouble. As will coming back to performing too soon after a bout of pneumonia.

From what I've learned from the posts above, it sounds to me like the poor guy is trying to sing in keys that are causing him to strain, he came back too soon after an illness and maybe he shouldn't be touring so often.

I belt it out every night, but I make sure all my songs are in a comfortable key for me. I also drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.
But hey, that's just my experience. And my opinion on Steve's situation.

[jrnysc]

What I'm getting at is - why should he need to take a break? A singer in a musical can sustain 8 live shows a week. OK they aren't singing lead for 2 hours or so, like a lead singer in a rock band is, but that's still a lot of singing.
If he isn't gigging every night for months without a few nights off, or straining his voice by singing out of his range when he IS gigging - why does he need a break?
It should be possible to comfortably do 3-4 live gigs a week if the voice is rested in between.
Unless there are serious vocal issues.

Most professional singers, and I'm not one, will probably tell you that singing rock 'n' roll is a lot different than singing other types of music. From what I can tell, it's more of a throaty type of singing, which can damage the vocal cords a little more than, say, opera singing. It's kind of interesting to read about the different types of voice, i.e., normal voice, head voice, falsetto, etc. If I'm wrong here, please correct me.

Well I've never done opera so I can't comment on that, but I did several musicals when I was younger, (8 shows a week) and now I sing rock, pop and jazz 52 weeks a year, 3-4 nights a week.

All styles can be difficult in different ways - except perhaps Jazz. That style isn't as demanding because it's not necessary to sing powerfully.
I believe that whatever your style, it shouldn't strain your vocal cords if you are singing in your range and doing it correctly.
Even rock style. If you strain that's when you get nodules and nasties.
Of course alcohol, smoking (tobacco or dope) and narcotics will also give you trouble. As will coming back to performing too soon after a bout of pneumonia.

From what I've learned from the posts above, it sounds to me like the poor guy is trying to sing in keys that are causing him to strain, he came back too soon after an illness and maybe he shouldn't be touring so often.

I belt it out every night, but I make sure all my songs are in a comfortable key for me. I also drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.
But hey, that's just my experience. And my opinion on Steve's situation.

Steve has done some good interviews talking about his routine. No smoking or alcohol. Lots of juice and water as you mentioned. And, a couple of hours before shows, he turns his hotel room shower on hot and lets the steam fill his room. He says his bandmates call his room The Jungle. Says they won't come near it with the steam in the room because it's so hot.

[whocares]

I've read and heard too many reports that he was sick way too often, with this or that kind of a problem. There was no reason to be sick, unless he wasn't taking care of himself.

As for holding contracts over his head as has beens tated in other posts on the forum, I'd say that is a money issue more for the other guys, than for Augeri. I'm sure Neal is/was making more than anyone, followed by Jon, Ross and the other two. No way is Jon making the same money that Neal is.

A good singer who takes care of themselves, COULD theoretically sing every night IF they had to, not for hours, and not Rock & Roll, but they could. Especially if they divide vocals as they have lately.

[SusieP]

[quote="jrnyscPerhaps too soon, and perhaps he really had no choice due to the money involved with this tour. What I'm saying is, perhaps he started having issues again shortly before the tour started. Don't know for sure. That is just speculation.[/quote]

And it would have been too expensive to pull out, you mean? Orthe Insurance companies won't pay out on a pre-existing problem or something like that? Hmm, maybe.
If he was under obligation to tour the dates that had been arranged and under pressure form the band/management or in fear of being sued - whatever,
that would explain why this alleged vocal help may have been employed. If indeed it has.
As you say, it's just speculation, and we are just having a friendly debate.


You know, it will be such a shame if he has damaged his voice. I hope he's ok.

[SusieP]

[quote="
Steve has done some good interviews talking about his routine. No smoking or alcohol. Lots of juice and water as you mentioned. And, a couple of hours before shows, he turns his hotel room shower on hot and lets the steam fill his room. He says his bandmates call his room The Jungle. Says they won't come near it with the steam in the room because it's so hot.[/quote]

Yep me too. I have a portable steamer with a face mask attachment. Steam is the BEST!

[jrnysc]

[quote="jrnyscPerhaps too soon, and perhaps he really had no choice due to the money involved with this tour. What I'm saying is, perhaps he started having issues again shortly before the tour started. Don't know for sure. That is just speculation.

And it would have been too expensive to pull out, you mean? Orthe Insurance companies won't pay out on a pre-existing problem or something like that? Hmm, maybe.
If he was under obligation to tour the dates that had been arranged and under pressure form the band/management or in fear of being sued - whatever,
that would explain why this alleged vocal help may have been employed. If indeed it has.
As you say, it's just speculation, and we are just having a friendly debate.


You know, it will be such a shame if he has damaged his voice. I hope he's ok.[/quote]

Yep. Your the type person I enjoy chatting with. Just good, clean conversation. No, I don't mean like health insurance. It has been said that if Journey backed out of the tour, they would owe promoters and Def Leppard a lot of money (Millions I believe). I have rode the fence on this whole issue. Im not saying they are or are not using pre-recorded vocals. Deen is singing a lot of those high notes, and there is a video in a thread on here of Faith In The Heartland live, and that is Steve singing. Song sounds nothing like the cd, and it is obvious he is avoiding some of the higher notes. Song sounds different, but I like that. I like a little variation live. Steve is a GREAT guy. I'm sure this is killing him. I too hope he is ok. Some want to destroy him. I truly wish him the best. He is a rock and roll class act.

[jrnysc]

[quote="
Steve has done some good interviews talking about his routine. No smoking or alcohol. Lots of juice and water as you mentioned. And, a couple of hours before shows, he turns his hotel room shower on hot and lets the steam fill his room. He says his bandmates call his room The Jungle. Says they won't come near it with the steam in the room because it's so hot.

Yep me too. I have a portable steamer with a face mask attachment. Steam is the BEST![/quote]

Well, sounds like he is doing the right stuff!!

[SusieP]

I've read and heard too many reports that he was sick way too often, with this or that kind of a problem. There was no reason to be sick, unless he wasn't taking care of himself.

As for holding contracts over his head as has beens tated in other posts on the forum, I'd say that is a money issue more for the other guys, than for Augeri. I'm sure Neal is/was making more than anyone, followed by Jon, Ross and the other two. No way is Jon making the same money that Neal is.

A good singer who takes care of themselves, COULD theoretically sing every night IF they had to, not for hours, and not Rock & Roll, but they could. Especially if they divide vocals as they have lately.

I can't really argue with that. All very good points. Except, the "there was no reason to be sick" bit. Even a person who takes the best care of themselves can fall victim to a bug.

I don't get any vocal help and I do a show that lasts an hour and a half. I sing lead on every song. It is possible. My voice does get very tired and dry if I do more than four a week, though. And I don't smoke or drink or do drugs.

Some of those Journey songs are in 'uncomfortable' keys though! Maybe they do need adapting to his range.

[whocares]

yeah you're right about getting a bug out of the blue, there's no way to prevent that unless you are the boy in the plastic bubble, and even then, it's possible I suppose. I didn't state that completely right.

That said, if he was sick, they shouldn't have been out on the road so much.

Paul Rodgers wasn't singing Queen songs ever concert in the same key's that Freddy Mercury did. He had the sense to drop down to his range, which is much different these days than Freddies voice ever was. (God rest his soul)

[swepett]

Perhaps too soon, and perhaps he really had no choice due to the money involved with this tour.

Nothing personal to you, jrnysc, but everyone talking about how Journey couldn't cancel or postpone the tour because of the money involved should think of Rolling Stones. How much money do you think is involved in their world tour? Believe me, it is lots more than in any Journey tour the last decade or two. Rolling Stones had sold out stadiums all over the world waiting when Keith Richards decided to climb up a palm tree, fell down and had to go through brain surgery. Injured guitarist means cancelled and postponed shows. I don't even want to start thinking about the logistical and economical nightmare that such a reschedule is.

Bands that are bigger than Journey change tour plans all the times because of sick band members.

[jrnysc]

yeah you're right about getting a bug out of the blue, there's no way to prevent that unless you are the boy in the plastic bubble, and even then, it's possible I suppose. I didn't state that completely right.

That said, if he was sick, they shouldn't have been out on the road so much.

He was having some trouble last year, but I believe the pneumonia was while they were off the road. I have heard pneumonia takes a long time for a lead vocalist to recover from. Also on another note, I have read both Journey and Def Leppard sounded MUCH better last night after a night off. Wonder if that is coincidence?

[jrnysc]

Perhaps too soon, and perhaps he really had no choice due to the money involved with this tour.

Nothing personal to you, jrnysc, but everyone talking about how Journey couldn't cancel or postpone the tour because of the money involved should think of Rolling Stones. How much money do you think is involved in their world tour? Believe me, it is lots more than in any Journey tour the last decade or two. Rolling Stones had sold out stadiums all over the world waiting when Keith Richards decided to climb up a palm tree, fell down and had to go through brain surgery. Injured guitarist means cancelled and postponed shows. I don't even want to start thinking about the logistical and economical nightmare that such a reschedule is.

Bands that are bigger than Journey change tour plans all the times because of sick band members.

No offense taken, and I do not know the logistics of all that. I do know some radio stations have said this may be the biggest SUMMER tour in a decade. There was a lot of money at stake here I'm sure.

[SusieP]

[quote="jrnysc
Yep. Your the type person I enjoy chatting with. Just good, clean conversation. No, I don't mean like health insurance. It has been said that if Journey backed out of the tour, they would owe promoters and Def Leppard a lot of money (Millions I believe). I have rode the fence on this whole issue. Im not saying they are or are not using pre-recorded vocals. Deen is singing a lot of those high notes, and there is a video in a thread on here of Faith In The Heartland live, and that is Steve singing. Song sounds nothing like the cd, and it is obvious he is avoiding some of the higher notes. Song sounds different, but I like that. I like a little variation live. Steve is a GREAT guy. I'm sure this is killing him. I too hope he is ok. Some want to destroy him. I truly wish him the best. He is a rock and roll class act.[/quote]


AAW shucks! What a nice thing to say! Thanks.
I must admit I have only posted on Melodic Rock a few times and whenever I have it has been with great trepidation! The chats on here do sometimes seem to get a little heated! And I read them in horror!
I'm glad to find like minded people to chat to on this thread.

If they DID use vocal help then I guess I can see why if the money issues were getting scary.
Not a nice position to find yourself in when all you are trying to do is bring musical pleasure to your fans.

I don't think the live performance should be identical to the CD either. I like to hear a little variation as well.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens next.

[whocares]

Perhaps too soon, and perhaps he really had no choice due to the money involved with this tour.

Nothing personal to you, jrnysc, but everyone talking about how Journey couldn't cancel or postpone the tour because of the money involved should think of Rolling Stones. How much money do you think is involved in their world tour? Believe me, it is lots more than in any Journey tour the last decade or two. Rolling Stones had sold out stadiums all over the world waiting when Keith Richards decided to climb up a palm tree, fell down and had to go through brain surgery. Injured guitarist means cancelled and postponed shows. I don't even want to start thinking about the logistical and economical nightmare that such a reschedule is.

Bands that are bigger than Journey change tour plans all the times because of sick band members.

the only thing I will say abotu this, is that The Stones are getting upto and over $750 for a front row seat. PLUS service charges. Here where I live those service charges brought the prices which btw, included a seating charge, yes a charge for the ticket, a service charge for the selling of the ticket and a charge to ahve a seat to sit in, to almost $900 EACH. That's a huge difference in money between the stones and Journey. At no time in their career would they or could they ever charge such ridiculous prices for a seat to see a concert.

So unfortunately, you can't compare them with the stones in any way.

[jrnysc]

[quote="jrnysc
Yep. Your the type person I enjoy chatting with. Just good, clean conversation. No, I don't mean like health insurance. It has been said that if Journey backed out of the tour, they would owe promoters and Def Leppard a lot of money (Millions I believe). I have rode the fence on this whole issue. Im not saying they are or are not using pre-recorded vocals. Deen is singing a lot of those high notes, and there is a video in a thread on here of Faith In The Heartland live, and that is Steve singing. Song sounds nothing like the cd, and it is obvious he is avoiding some of the higher notes. Song sounds different, but I like that. I like a little variation live. Steve is a GREAT guy. I'm sure this is killing him. I too hope he is ok. Some want to destroy him. I truly wish him the best. He is a rock and roll class act.

AAW shucks! What a nice thing to say! Thanks.
I must admit I have only posted on Melodic Rock a few times and whenever I have it has been with great trepidation! The chats on here do sometimes seem to get a little heated! And I read them in horror!
I'm glad to find like minded people to chat to on this thread.

If they DID use vocal help then I guess I can see why if the money issues were getting scary.
Not a nice position to find yourself in when all you are trying to do is bring musical pleasure to your fans.

I don't think the live performance should be identical to the CD either. I like to hear a little variation as well.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens next.[/quote]

Susie, being a vocalist, if you have time, check out the Faith In The Heartland video, and see what you think. Certainly sounds live, and sounds like Augeri is straining at times. That is the first song!!!!!

[SusieP]

yeah you're right about getting a bug out of the blue, there's no way to prevent that unless you are the boy in the plastic bubble, and even then, it's possible I suppose. I didn't state that completely right.

That said, if he was sick, they shouldn't have been out on the road so much.

Paul Rodgers wasn't singing Queen songs ever concert in the same key's that Freddy Mercury did. He had the sense to drop down to his range, which is much different these days than Freddies voice ever was. (God rest his soul)

I kinda knew what you were trying to say, really.


Now that's what I mean about keys. I don't think fans really care that much what key a song is sung in if they love the song. Maybe that is an issue Journey can address in future. Get the tricky ones transposed a semi tone or a tone down for the guy.

[Marabelle]

900.00 for a seat at a Stones concert!!! well if they can ask for it and you pay for it; then
when the prices go up another 150.00 and then another 50; well it's the fans fault for paying such exurbiant prices. that's scalping.

[swepett]

the only thing I will say abotu this, is that The Stones are getting upto and over $750 for a front row seat. PLUS service charges. Here where I live those service charges brought the prices which btw, included a seating charge, yes a charge for the ticket, a service charge for the selling of the ticket and a charge to ahve a seat to sit in, to almost $900 EACH. That's a huge difference in money between the stones and Journey. At no time in their career would they or could they ever charge such ridiculous prices for a seat to see a concert.

So unfortunately, you can't compare them with the stones in any way.

Yes, you just proved my point. Take all that money and then think about 30.000 tickets and more sold out in lots of cities worldwide. The Journey show I saw here in Sweden was at a festival with 25.000 people. A festival. Had they come here by themselves had they probably played in 3000 seater venues in two cities or something like that. Not even in the US are they playing to 30.000+ people a night, are they? Correct me if I'm wrong. (Stones had a 35.000 people stadium show sold out a year in advance here that was cancelled when Keef did the coconut.)

[SusieP]

I think The Stones have more than enough money to pay lawyers and promoters etc in the event of Keef having an 'episode' and the insurance company not covering cancellation and rescheduling costs. HOW much money have they got???WOW!

I don't know much about show insurance, but don't the bands management and promoters etc take out a poilicy that will cover cancellation costs, admin fees for ticket refunds, roadies and techs wages etc? And don't all these policies exclude pre existing conditions?

See what I'm getting at?
Keef hasn't fallen from a tree before, but Stevie A has had pneumonia before the tour?
So maybe if Journey cancelled they would have had to pay all those costs out of their own pockets?

Just guessing here. If you have a condition that 'could give rise to a claim' the insurers just say bye bye and thanks for paying the premiums.