Getting tickets back in the day

skuncles · #1 05-14-2010, 02:55 PM

It occured to me this afternoon that when I buy concert tickets these days it's no big deal, I come down to the computer at 10am, search for seats until I find what I like, enter my credit card info and I'm done. It's not like the old days where it was an all day thing. Back for Fleetwood Mac in 1990 it meant calling up TickeTron repeatedly until you got thru (this was on a rotary phone no less!!!). Then in 1991 my brother in law and I went into Hartford for Billy Joel tickets, had to be there by 5am to get a good spot in line and then waited as show after show was sold out. 12 hours later we had tickets to a 5th show that had been added.
The last shows I waited in line for were Fleetwood Mac in 1997 and Stevie Nicks in 1998. For both I was at the local record store by 5am to wait five hours for tickets to go on sale. By 10am there was probably 100 of us waiting. For the Mac show it was to be the first show of the Reunion tour. When it was announced they said they were only going to sell the seats inside (no lawn seats) so that meant you might not get tickets. Due to the demand though, the opened up the lawn. It was cool waiting in line in that we were all there for a common purpose so we all had something to talk about. What also struck me at the time was that each person had AT LEAST $100 cash on them (tickets bought this way was cash only). So if anyone wanted to make a lot money real fast all they had to hold up the entire line!!
Today with the internet the whole process is over and done in five minutes. I kind of miss the old days.

StandbackStevie · #2 05-14-2010, 03:37 PM

yes I remember those days I think for me the last time I waited in line for a concert tickets was for Fleetwood Mac's Opening Night of the Dance tour in 1997 and Stevie Nicks Enchanted Opening Night Show in 1998 at the Meadows Music Thearte in Hartford yes the good old days I waited at the Meadows Music Thearte Box Office for tickets got really amazing seats for the Dance was in front of directly of Christine McVie in Row D last seat which there was no one in front of me except for Christine which was awesome and Stevie's show I think it was row S which is 19th row for the Enchanted tour which was still not bad i though. I have been going to stevie and mac shows since 1986 . The First Show I waited in line for Tickets was The Other Side of The Mirror Tour in 1989 at Lake Compounce Festival Park in Bristol waited at there box office and also waited in line for the Whole Lotta Trouble Tour in 1991 was scheduled to peform there waited in line too for that show and got like 10th row center for that show and the show was cancelled the day of the concert due to the weather they said but it was finacial problems with the venue alot of shows were getting cancelled some artitsts performed that year not that many did but Stevie's show was the only show cancelled on the day of the show I was so bummed among other people I am sure but I was Happy meeting cool people while waiting in line and you can sniff out the ticket scalpers in line too...lol. how did you do with getting a ticket this morning. I did pretty good I got 12th row center which was not bad i was happy with it and glad i got a ticket that show will be sold out I got the ticket thru the phone at work no internet access for me anyway at work working in the dietary so got on the phone at 10:00am got a ticket at 10:11am. I am happy with the ticket I have for the foxwoods show can't wait.

skuncles · #3 05-14-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StandbackStevie

...lol. how did you do with getting a ticket this morning. I did pretty good I got 12th row center which was not bad i was happy with it and glad i got a ticket that show will be sold out I got the ticket thru the phone at work no internet access for me anyway at work working in the dietary so got on the phone at 10:00am got a ticket at 10:11am. I am happy with the ticket I have for the foxwoods show can't wait.

I got the first row of the second section behind the orchestra. I did that on purpose. I would have loved to have gotten orchestra seats, but didn't even try. My work hours just got cut (again) and I already got tickets to two other shows this summer. So I couldn't go for the $130 seats. I'm happy with the seats I did get though.

holidayroad · #4 05-14-2010, 05:50 PM

To get my tickets for the SYW tour, we had to drive 50 miles away to the only outlet around that was selling tickets, a Publix grocery store. Then I ended up behind these people who couldn't make their minds up about what section they wanted. I spent 15 minutes listening to them, thinking everything was going to be sold out before these two shut up!! Thankfully, I got okay seats. Not amazing, but far better for what I had for The Dance tour. I think my husband thought I was nuts for buying seats that were $150 apiece. They weren't the most expensive, but my husband is older than I am and paid $10 for super seats to see bands like Journey in the 80s, so he thinks $150 is crazy!

StandbackStevie · #5 05-14-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skuncles

I got the first row of the second section behind the orchestra. I did that on purpose. I would have loved to have gotten orchestra seats, but didn't even try. My work hours just got cut (again) and I already got tickets to two other shows this summer. So I couldn't go for the $130 seats. I'm happy with the seats I did get though.

I heard there is no bad seat sounds like you got a great ticket too and looking at the lay out of the venue its straight thru looks very similiar to the Oakdale Thearte.
I have was lucky to have the extra money to get the ticket but was not able to be on the internet to see what was available she said to me the operator 12 th row center orchestra and I said fine and took it.

Macfanforever · #6 05-14-2010, 06:49 PM

I think its a BIG JOKE.unfair,and a big ripoff.In the day when I first went to concerts,which it was avery long time ago in the 70's .the Tickets were approx $15.00 or less.none of this super ticket computer network like now.also these overpriced ticket brokers cleaning up the seats before they go on sale.Will I guess its called corporate america.

StandbackStevie · #7 05-14-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

I think its a BIG JOKE.unfair,and a big ripoff.In the day when I first went to concerts,which it was avery long time ago in the 70's .the Tickets were approx $15.00 or less.none of this super ticket computer network like now.also these overpriced ticket brokers cleaning up the seats before they go on sale.Will I guess its called corporate america.

I agree with you but you like everything else goes up so do the concert tickets unfortuneatly that is the way the world runs as a big corporate world the rich get rich and the poor get poor. But If i can't afford a the higher ticket price to a show i go with what I can afford to a show and refuse to pay scalper tickets prices i do think the scalper ticket brokers and the ticketmaster sites make deals with each other cause the day or two before Stevie Nicks tickets are on stubhub with some good seats i saw. I dont get it unless that ticketmaster or the venue is connected to the ticket scalper brokers. i only pay what the ticket is actually worth i really dont care where i sit as long as I am there I am good.

Bubba Fleetwood · #8 05-24-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StandbackStevie

I agree with you but you like everything else goes up so do the concert tickets unfortuneatly that is the way the world runs as a big corporate world the rich get rich and the poor get poor. But If i can't afford a the higher ticket price to a show i go with what I can afford to a show and refuse to pay scalper tickets prices i do think the scalper ticket brokers and the ticketmaster sites make deals with each other cause the day or two before Stevie Nicks tickets are on stubhub with some good seats i saw. I dont get it unless that ticketmaster or the venue is connected to the ticket scalper brokers. i only pay what the ticket is actually worth i really dont care where i sit as long as I am there I am good.

I don't know how I missed this thread but to be honest with you, I've found that I rather get seats in the middle and off to the side these days. A good pair of binoculars and you have a great view. You also don't have to put up with all the crap now from the idiots when you have upclose seats. You know, the jerk offs who want to sit there and pretend they are at home on the sofa instead of having a good time and showing the band that you're glad to be there seeing them in concert.

Bubba Fleetwood · #9 05-24-2010, 12:53 PM

Oh man, back in the day......first concert I went to was ELO in 78. First time I saw Fleetwood Mac was in '78 at the Omni in Atlanta........I can still smell the pot in the air. My ticket was $7.50 and I waited in line at Sears with a couple of buddies. The Eagles in '79...the Tusk tour.....Stevie's Wild Heart tour. Standing in line for hours meeting people, sharing stories and info, and then meeting up with them again at the concert because everybody's seats were usually in the same section. Made alot of friends that way. Concerts were a big event back then. You couldn't get on You Tube and watch Stevie in concert or give an interview like you can now. All you had was Rolling Stone or Crawdaddy or Cream and then it was just pictures. There was a distance between you and your favorite singer. That made seeing them in concert such a important deal. "I'm in the same building with FLEETWOOD MAC........That's HER......That's actually STEVIE NICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Now, I wasn't jumping up and down screaming that but it was how I was feeling. My heart racing, the excitement was unreal. I would not trade those days for anything. I'm so very glad I was able to live them and feel sorry for those of you who were not able to. I'm glad I have "Today" but I miss my youth. "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Pac-Man" turn 30 this past weekend........."sigh"

SuiteShangriLa · #10 05-24-2010, 01:13 PM

oh yes!!! Sears!
We went for Rock A Little concert tickets at the Sears TickeTron but we got there right before they were gonna go on sale and we were shocked to see how long the line was. and even more shocked to see a lady leave the ticket window with a GROCERY BAG FULL of tickets!!! this was the days before there was a limit on how many you could buy...and probably the reason why there is a limit now. We got crappy lawn seats for RAL tour and we got crappy seats for the TITN tour the next year...but when TOSOTM tickets went on sale, we camped out outside of Sears all night so we would be sure to be first in line and get good seats. that was the year for my first Edge walk ...we ended up getting 3rd row seats and i think we paid like, $21.00 for them?? oh, those were the days!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Fleetwood

Oh man, back in the day......first concert I went to was ELO in 78. First time I saw Fleetwood Mac was in '78 at the Omni in Atlanta........I can still smell the pot in the air. My ticket was $7.50 and I waited in line at Sears with a couple of buddies. The Eagles in '79...the Tusk tour.....Stevie's Wild Heart tour. Standing in line for hours meeting people, sharing stories and info, and then meeting up with them again at the concert because everybody's seats were usually in the same section. Made alot of friends that way. Concerts were a big event back then. You couldn't get on You Tube and watch Stevie in concert or give an interview like you can now. All you had was Rolling Stone or Crawdaddy or Cream and then it was just pictures. There was a distance between you and your favorite singer. That made seeing them in concert such a important deal. "I'm in the same building with FLEETWOOD MAC........That's HER......That's actually STEVIE NICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Now, I wasn't jumping up and down screaming that but it was how I was feeling. My heart racing, the excitement was unreal. I would not trade those days for anything. I'm so very glad I was able to live them and feel sorry for those of you who were not able to. I'm glad I have "Today" but I miss my youth. "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Pac-Man" turn 30 this past weekend........."sigh"

RickRobert · #11 05-25-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holidayroad

They weren't the most expensive, but my husband is older than I am and paid $10 for super seats to see bands like Journey in the 80s, so he thinks $150 is crazy!

Super seats to see Steve Perry in the 80s? I would have melted, and I'm straight!

Macfanforever · #12 05-25-2010, 03:49 PM

Back in the TicketTron days I would have to order from the Telephone,I dont remember if they had pickup location in my area at the time.The 1986 RAL tour I think I drove to the Boxoffice to pickup the tickets because at the time I was working in the city.anyway At that time there was no internet and ticketmaster and 100 ticket brokers around.Only 3 times I had to take a chance using a scalper for tickets.first time was the Behind the mask tour because of one of the 3 shows at Greatwoods was soldout.The second time was the 2006 Tom Petty concert with Stevie soldout show at the same place in Mansfield"Tweeter Centre" at the time ,because of stupid me did not get off my fat a$$ to get them earlier.Both were sold at face value.The most recent was in 2007 Crystalvisions tour to get a upgrade from crappy ticketmaster seats,This show was at the Tweeter Centre in Mansfield.also sold at face value.

StandbackStevie · #13 05-25-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

Back in the TicketTron days I would have to order from the Telephone,I dont remember if they had pickup location in my area at the time.The 1986 RAL tour I think I drove to the Boxoffice to pickup the tickets because at the time I was working in the city.anyway At that time there was no internet and ticketmaster and 100 ticket brokers around.Only 3 times I had to take a chance using a scalper for tickets.first time was the Behind the mask tour because of one of the 3 shows at Greatwoods was soldout.The second time was the 2006 Tom Petty concert with Stevie soldout show at the same place in Mansfield"Tweeter Centre" at the time ,because of stupid me did not get off my fat a$$ to get them earlier.Both were sold at face value.The most recent was in 2007 Crystalvisions tour to get a upgrade from crappy ticketmaster seats,This show was at the Tweeter Centre in Mansfield.also sold at face value.

I remeber ticketron used to be in at the old mall inside sears or jc pennys not sure my mom and I went to the ticketron outlet at the naugatuck valley mall in waterbury for the civic center and and the new haven colisieum show too had floor seats for the new haven show second section first row center and I also for the behind the mask tour saw at Hartford Civic Center on November 9, 1990 it was the postponed date from July 12th show was cancelled due to the passing of Christine McVies father may he rest in peace. I did go to the crystal visions show at mansfield, Mass on Fathers Day my friend Tina had an extra ticket it was another great show also at Mohegan Sun show as well.

holidayroad · #14 05-25-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickRobert

Super seats to see Steve Perry in the 80s? I would have melted, and I'm straight!

I'll tell my husband you said that! He'll laugh for an hour!

louielouie2000 · #15 05-25-2010, 05:34 PM

I remember for my first Mac concert in '94, we had to call the 800 number for Ticketmaster... and were often on hold for extended periods of time. No online ticket sales back then. You could either call the 800 number, or ticketmaster used to have little stores in our local strip malls. It was either brave the weather and lines, or be on hold for an hour. Either way, good seats were impossible to come by. We ended up in the back, near the lawn. Which was fine once I saw what the Time lineup was... but I digress.