U2/Springsteen marketing similarities...

[kariatari]

I've noticed Bruce Springsteen has been making a lot on TV appearances (Today Show, Letterman, Nightline, etc.) and he's currently on the cover of Rolling Stone and Time magazine. It occured to me that he's doing basically the same thing with The Rising that U2 did with ATYCLB - promoting the hell out of it. Now, I'm not saying that I have a problem with it (I don't...there's nothing wrong with wanting people to hear your work), but I know that there were a lot of fans and critics who thought U2 was dangerously close to becoming the dreaded S-word for doing TRL, Letterman, SNL and the like. I'm just wondering if you guys think that anybody will cry "SELL OUT!" if Bruce keeps this up. Hopefully after U2 and The Boss went through with making all of those public appearances, there won't be such a negative stigma attached to artists who actively promote their work.

Thoughts, anyone?

:question:

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

I'm just wondering if you guys think that anybody will cry "SELL OUT!" if Bruce keeps this up.

interesting...i didn't know this.

 

[martha]

Born in the USA was worse. I don't remember if he did as many TV appearances (I doubt it since rock wasn't on TV as much in 1984), but the fucking bandwagon for that album was awful. Tickets were impossible to get, and everyone and his brother was at the concerts, whether they had heard of him before this or not. Bruce has released some crappy records since then, and some good ones that didn't sell well, so I doubt if anyone who has been paying attention will seriously call him a sellout.

And kariatari, I'm not saying that you aren't paying attention; I'm referring to those who will say negative things about Springsteen just because he's Springsteen.

edit: Plus, The Rising really is closer to his roots, unlike ATYCLB, which Bono said was, but wasn't.

 

[wertsie]

Bruce will never sell out, U2 will never sell out. The both rock!

 

[wertsie]

edit: Plus, The Rising really is closer to his roots, unlike ATYCLB, which Bono said was, but wasn't.

That always perplexed me.

 

[HelloAngel]

I'm probably dumbly optimistic - but while I was watching the umpteenth presentation on The Rising on CNN the other morning I thought this:

I wonder if the media are jumping on this bandwagon because they are thankful for the seemingly first finely crafted and heartfelt album so far this year. Perhaps with all the Britney bashing as of late, they are looking to go back to singer-songwriters getting more attention.

Personally, I think alot of it has to do with the overt Sept. 11th themes on the album and the first anniversary approaching. It was perfect timing for all involved.

Either way, I look forward to seeing this tour.

 

[madonna's child]

Hey, it worked for U2.

 

[Bono's shades]

Why is it considered "selling out" to appear on SNL or Lettermen? As for TRL, I can maybe see people rolling their eyes at it a little, but isn't it a good thing to expose teens to good music as opposed to the boy bands and Brittney? I'm sick of people accusing U2 and the Boss of selling out. As far as I'm concerned neither of them have done so.

 

[Danospano]

Springsteen hasn't been following in U2's marketing strategy. He's been making television appearances with regularity since the early 1990's when he released the double-dose of "Human Touch" and "Lovetown". U2, on the otherhand had never performed on television when they started marketing ATYCLB. I don't think Springsteen's marketing is along the same lines.

 

[Hewson]

I really don't see how anyone can equate making TV apperances to promote an album or perform with selling out.
Now if you were to see a Viagra commercial on TV and hear Bruce singing "Come on up for the rising" in the background, that would constitute selling out.
Otherwise I think the only selling out will be of concert tickets.

 

[kariatari]

Born in the USA was worse. I don't remember if he did as many TV appearances (I doubt it since rock wasn't on TV as much in 1984), but the fucking bandwagon for that album was awful. Tickets were impossible to get, and everyone and his brother was at the concerts, whether they had heard of him before this or not. Bruce has released some crappy records since then, and some good ones that didn't sell well, so I doubt if anyone who has been paying attention will seriously call him a sellout.

And kariatari, I'm not saying that you aren't paying attention; I'm referring to those who will say negative things about Springsteen just because he's Springsteen.

Interesting point, martha. I was just a little tot when Born in the USA came out, so I don't remember any of the hype around that album.

And here's another question, just cuz I'm curious: Did Springsteen do as many promotional appearances for The Ghost of Tom Joad? :question:

 

[Hewson]

And here's another question, just cuz I'm curious: Did Springsteen do as many promotional appearances for The Ghost of Tom Joad? :question:

No.
Tom Joad was a totally different animal, a solo acoustic record, for which Bruce toured small theaters with an acoustic guitar and harmonica as his only weapons. I think he was intentionally shunning the hype and limelight from the mid 80's and just doing what he felt he wanted to do at the time.

I think now he wants to reach the masses again, so along with his band, he's doing more of a promotional blitz to get the music into the mainstream.
I honestly don't think his motivation is money, unlike some other artist who shall remain The Rolling Stones, cause he can certainly get more than $75 for a good concert ticket in tiday's market if he so chooses. I think he's just doing all the appearances cause he feels the music should be heard by the masses...I have no issue with that philosophy.

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

he can certainly get more than $75 for a good concert ticket

true. most artists who were popular when he was and are still around today charge in the upwards of $150 per ticket for the nosebleed section.

 

[joyfulgirl]

I really don't see how anyone can equate making TV apperances to promote an album or perform with selling out.
Now if you were to see a Viagra commercial on TV and hear Bruce singing "Come on up for the rising" in the background, that would constitute selling out.
Otherwise I think the only selling out will be of concert tickets.

Jeez, why bother to make a record if you don't want to try to sell it?

I agree with martha, too, about Born in the USA. I still cringe everytime I see the Dancing in the Dark video with the new bright & shiny Bruce with the white man dance.

But I still love The Boss.