Our shiny new radial tire in downtown, the Sprint Center, is set to open for some seriously aging stars. And no, we’re not talking the Chiefs. The headliners include Van Halen, Elton John and, now, Garth Brooks. To help put some perspective on these aging showmen, here’s a look at their careers:
Elton John
Age: 60
First hit: “Your Song” in 1970
Last hit: “Answer in the Sky” in 2005
Lowest point: There’s many, but in 1997, for his 50th birthday party, Sir Elton performed in an $80,000 Louis XIV costume
Second job: Agreed in 2001 to appear on a BBC’s quiz show but backed out hours before filming and was replaced with a cab driver who worked as an Elton John impersonator
Van Halen’s David Lee Roth
Age: 53
First hit: “You Really Got Me” in 1979
Last hit: “Just Like Paradise” in 1988
Lowest point: Roth put together a Vegas lounge act in 1995 that included the Miami Sound Machine, a brass band and exotic dancers.
Second job: In the late 1990s, he worked as an EMT in New York City
Garth Brooks
Age: 45
First hit: “Much Too Young (to Feel This Damn Old)” in 1989, on the U.S. Country list
Last hit: “More than a Memory” on September 15, 2007, on the U.S. Country list
First and last top 10 single on mainstream U.S. charts: "To Make You Feel My Love” in 1998
Lowest point: His 1999 alter ego, the emotionally conflicted rocker Chris Gaines
Second job: Wal-Mart shell man
-- Eric Barton
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They have to book middle-aged, generic, whitebread acts so that all those lack of imagination, WASP-oriented chain restaurants and other venues will gain clientele.
Garth must have had some work done.
Anyway, Hannah Montana is more your speed and you can still get some $1800 tickets on-line, so go for it!!
Don't forget about their other events aimed at the redneck NASCAR stereotype. Rascal Flatts and WWE Smackdown!
It seems they're working very hard at keeping this venue decidely middle-aged and white.
Just for shits and giggles I sent the sprint center an e-mail requesting details on booking the venue. If they're not already committed to a Barry Manilow show, we might just get something cool in there. (I'm not holding my breath)