Perry To Receive Apple Award & Give Keynote Speech

[Mike]

Perry Farrell to Receive Inaugural Apple Award, Give Keynote Q&A At Billboard Touring Conference & Awards
October 25, 2011
By Ray Waddell, Nashville

In observance of the 20th anniversary of the death of legendary promoter Bill Graham, the inaugural Apple Award will be given to Jane's Addiction/Lollapalooza co-founder Perry Farrell at the eighth annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, taking place at New York's Roosevelt Hotel Nov. 9-10.

Bill Graham's death shocked the concert world when he was killed in a helicopter crash near Vallejo, Calif., 20 years ago today (October 25) as he was headed home from a Huey Lewis & the News gig at the Concord Pavilion. Considered by many as the founding father of the contemporary concert promotion business, Graham famously gave patrons of his legendary Fillmore West in San Francisco an apple-or two-at shows, and was notoriously obsessed with improving the fan experience. In honor of Graham's focus on customer service and his skills as a promoter, the Apple will go to a visionary artist or touring professional who goes the extra mile in making sure fans enjoy an exemplary concert experience.

Farrell launched Lollapalooza as a trailblazing touring festival 20 years ago with the intent of revolutionizing the fan experience. From its circus theme to its focus on social issues, Farrell endeavored to uplift the entire cultural impact of the live music experience. In the process, Lollapalooza forever raised the bar for immersive music events. That mission continues to this day with the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago's Grant Park, produced win conjunction with William Morris Endeavor and C3 Presents, and, beginning this year, at Lollapalooza Chile.

http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry ... 5662.story

[Mike]

Perry Farrell: Music Biz Should Look to NBA, NFL for Inspiration

by Phil Gallo, N.Y. | November 10, 2011 7:05 EST


Perry Farrell speaking with Billboard editorial director Bill Werde | Michael Seto

The NFL and NBA are at the root of Perry Farrell's vision for the future of music. Acknowledging he had not fully thought out the idea, the Jane's Addiction singer said the industry needs to support young musicians from an early age, creating musical opportunities for youths like Little League baseball and Pop Warner football.

"If music was run like the sports industries, the NBA or the NFL, we would have a healthy school system," Farrell said Thursday during the keynote Q&A at the Billboard Touring Conference at the Roosevelt Hotel. "We could put together Super Bowls. We don't have anything like this in music (but could) if we could organize ourselves. Jerry Jones has a stadium and he entertains with a football team."

Farrell's belief is that by creating scenes through youth organizations -- and having a professional level that pumps money into the systems for youngsters -- those kids in Texas who dream of playing for the Dallas Cowboys one day might also consider a career in music. It is, he said, part of a solution for a music industry that is as broken as American politics.

"We could do this thing around the world," Farrell said. "God makes musicians. That raw talent will always be there, there has to be the right opportunity to flourish and blossom."

Breaking down barriers through Lollapalooza and being at the epicenter of L.A.'s alternative music scene of the late 1980s in Jane's Addiction were discussed at length with Billboard editorial director Bill Werde at the session.

Farrell, whose earliest singing gigs were as an imitator of David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Frank Sinatra, became involved in the punk rock scene by what he called "circumstances that were absolutely perfect." Once he landed in Jane's Addiction -- and a growing number of people said they were a band that had to be seen -- "I took it really serious," he said. "I rewound to the Beatles and the Stones. They were able to change the world."

For Farrell, that meant paying attention to how they conducted themselves, their work ethic and they way they pledged allegiance to their influences. "It was is important to wear the names of our favorite bands on our backs. It's sad they don't do that anymore."

Lollapalooza grew out of Farrell's concert organizing efforts in the desert that involved bands such as Sonic Youth, the Meat Puppets and Redd Kross. "We called it Desolation center -- no bouncers, no fences, no urinals." A successful touring festival, Farrell contended that it shut down due to political reasons. Farrell's plan prior to the Bush-Kerry election was to involve the political activism organization MoveOn.org, which the concert-promotion behemoth Clear Channel opposed due to its numerous relationships with President Bush's camp.

"The week before before we were to start, a big phone call went out nationwide with (a promoter) saying we're not going to pay these guys," Farrell said. "It was the worst moment of my life outside of my parents dying. It got even worse. Right after that my band says they're leaving too - to create a band called Panic Channel."

The festival's revival in Chicago, Farrell said, owed to the involvement of people from Austin City Limits. "I'm forever indebted to Charlie Jones," he said.

Next year's edition is in the booking stage and Farrell participates in weekly discussions about acts and possible aesthetic and strategic changes to the show in Chicago's Grant Park.

"We do have bands I don't like," Farrell admitted. "But there are lot more slots available" than back when he was making the booking decisions, "and my taste is not the only taste. If I feel somebody really does not belong, I'll speak up... but (the bookers) are so sophisticated because they have Austin and they see all these groups. They're ahead of me -- they turn me onto music."

http://www.billboard.com/news/perry-far ... 4782.story

[Mike]

Journey's Neal Schon, Phish's Trey Anastasio, Perry Farrell Share Memories At Billboard Touring Awards

November 11, 2011

By Phil Gallo, New York

Tributes came in several shapes and sizes Thursday night at the Billboard Touring Awards in New York, but they were all consistently heartfelt.

Phish's Trey Anastasio paid tribute to Red Light Management's Coran Capshaw, Perry Farrell bordered on tearful saluting legendary concert promoter Bill Graham and Live Nation president of North American Concerts Bob Roux saluted Journey as the ultimate road warriors. And Journey's Neal Schon and Ross Valory paid tribute to the whole reason the concert industry exists -- the fans.

"This last year was by far the best," said Journey co-founder Schon, the only member of Journey who has been in the band for its entire 38-year existence. "It's all about the fans, all about the music. We've always been about the performance, writing good songs. Arel Pineda brought us back into the forefront, really regenerated us. There's really no end to it. We have worked our asses off this year."

Journey received the Legend of Live award, a lifetime achievement award that Roux presented by reciting the tour routing of the first month of a nearly yearlong tour in 1978. It sounded relentless -- 22 shows in 26 days. "Shit Neal," Roux said, "I can see why you went through so many lead singers."

The evening started with a presentation of the Humanitarian Award to Red Light's Capshaw, who has organized benefits concerts in the last year to victims of natural disasters in the Gulf States, Nashville and Vermont, the state where one of his key clients, Phish, was formed.

"He's not big on talk," said Anastasio in his introduction. "He got us through the event with one single goal -- having the greatest impact. Donors underwrote costs, so 100 percent of proceeds went to flood recovery and rebuilding efforts." And by 100 percent he meant money raised by tickets as well as merch.

Sons of the late Graham presented the Apple Award to Perry Farrell. Apple, in this case, refers to the apples handed out at the end of concerts at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. Graham had a profound effect on Farrell -- he was the one promoter to not only meet the singer's requests for a zoo and various exotic attractions for Lollapalooza, but he exceeded them by having things such as painted topless dancers at the entrance of the venue.


Perry Farrell, who earlier in the day delivered a keynote address at the Billboard Touring Conference, is the first recipient of the Billboard Touring Awards' Apple honor, which honors late concert promoter Bill Graham. (Photo: Michael Seto).

One of Graham's sons, Alex, was a stilt-walker at the first Lollapalooza and would become a DJ and tour manager for Jane's Addiction. "Dad used to say 'I am sick of people acting helpless. If you have the ability to do something do it'," Alex Graham said, adding that his father was a great proponent of tolerance and self-expression. "Dad supported everything Perry."

That was not lost on Farrell.

"At that first Lollapalooza, I had asked everyone for things -- hot air balloons and buffalos to grave on hillside. No one was going to give me any of it," Farrell said. "Bill Graham had topless girls dancing. I head to my dressing room and there was a robe on the wall that said Perry Farrell. It was black. I still have it today. There was a hookah. There was poster he had made. I stole everything."

"The best gift of all," and this is where Farrell got a bit emotional, "was when the man himself walked in and talked with me. 'I like what you're doing.' he said. He was interested in me and that meant the world to me."

Throughout the evening as one promoter after another accepted awards for venues, grosses and management, they saluted artists and fans over and over. It was Ross Valory of Journey who addressed the people in the room.

"This is not a popularity contest," he said after Schon spoke. "This is an award from people who know how the business works."

http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry ... 5952.story

[hydro]

Well deserved award for Perry! Looks like it was a wonderful moment for him
Bring the music back to the school, give kids a chance to express themselves
It's what the world needs to heal.

[Mike]

Bring the music back to the school, give kids a chance to express themselves
It's what the world needs to heal.

Right on hydro!

[Mike]

Billboard Touring Awards: U2, Journey, Jason Aldean Win Big

by Billboard Staff | November 10, 2011 9:35 EST

U2, Journey, Kenny Chesney, Perry Farrell and Taylor Swift were among the winners at the 8th annual Billboard Touring Awards, held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

Top touring industry award honorees included Live Nation (Top Promoter), C3 Presents (Top U.S. Indie Promoter), Front Line Management (Top Manager) and Coachella (Best Festival).

The night's big winners were U2, who wrapped up its two-year-long, record-book-shattering 360° Tour in July; and Journey, who took home the "Legend of Live" award honoring its 38 years of touring. U2 brought home the Top Tour Award and Top Draw Award, which acknowledged the band's top grossing and ticket selling tours, respectively, for its 360° Tour.

Jason Aldean received the Breakthrough Award, and the Concert Marketing & Promotion Award went to Taylor Swift and her Speak Now World Tour 2011, sponsored by Covergirl. Bon Jovi received the Eventful Fans' Choice Award, which is determined by fan "demands" at Eventful.com.

Red Light Management founder Coran Capshaw, who cut his teeth touring with the Grateful Dead, received the Humanitarian Award, and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell received the inaugural Apple Award, honoring the legacy of legendary concert promoter Bill Graham.

The Billboard Touring Awards are primarily based on global box office numbers reported to Billboard Boxscore from Oct. 1, 2010, through Sept. 30, 2011. This year's reception culminated the two-day Billboard Touring Conference, presented by ShowClix. The conference set a record attendance and united today's top touring professionals and an incredible roster of speakers, including a keynote case study with Farrell.

Festival and venue winners included Coachella, the Comcast Center in Mansfield Mass., London's O2 Arena and the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

The Billboard Touring Awards, hosted by former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield, were created to celebrate and stress the importance of the too-often overlooked movers and shakers in the increasingly-important world of touring, promotion and performance.

THE 2011 BILLBOARD TOURING AWARD WINNERS:

TOP TOUR - U2, 360

TOP DRAW - U2

TOP PACKAGE - Kenny Chesney's Goin' Coastal Tour, with Zac Brown Band, Uncle Kracker, Billy Currington

BREAKTHROUGH - Jason Aldean

TOP COMEDY TOUR - Jeff Dunham

TOP BOXSCORE - Take That, Wembley Stadium, London. 6/30 - 7/9

TOP PROMOTER - Live Nation Entertainment

TOP INDEPENDENT PROMOTER (U.S.) - C3 Presents, Austin

TOP INDEPENDENT PROMOTER (International) - SJM Concerts, London

TOP MANAGER -- Front Line Management Group

TOP AGENCY - William Morris Endeavor Entertainment

TOP FESTIVAL - Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Indio, Calif.

TOP AMPHITHEATER - Comcast Center, Mansfield, Mass.

TOP ARENA - O2 Arena, London

TOP VENUE UNDER 10,000 SEATS - Radio City Music Hall, New York

TOP VENUE UNDER 5,000 SEATS - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

TOP CLUB (based on attendance) - 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.

CONCERT MARKETING & PROMOTION AWARD - Taylor Swift Speak Now World Tour 2011 sponsored by Covergirl

APPLE AWARD - Perry Farrell

HUMANITARIAN AWARD - Coran Capshaw

LEGEND OF LIVE - Journey

EVENTFUL FANS' CHOICE AWARD - Bon Jovi

http://www.billboard.com/events/billboa ... 5822.story