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Rock Legends Party Like It's 1979 (With a 2007 Approach)

Rock has become a 'legitimate trade'

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 16, 2007 9:52 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The Police. Genesis. Led Zeppelin. Rock legends are squeezing back into their familiar duds to electrify audiences decades after their heydays. The comebacks aren’t all about cash, the Economist proposes. Many of the greying rockers are in no need of funds "if they fancy a new castle or a young wife." It's as if a new careerism requires them to prove they can still fill a high-grossing stadium. 

That's not to say that the cash is negligible: the Police are expected to generate $168 million from their latest tour, while the Rolling Stones will rake in $500 million. But, as “rock musicianship has become a legitimate trade,” the magazine says, “creative eccentrics have given way to jobbing professionals,” and the reunion tour is just the latest phase of a  successful career.

David Lee Roth, left, holds his former bandmates' hand, Eddie Van Halen, after the rock group Van Halen announced the bands north American tour during a news conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles Monday, August 13, 2007.(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
David Lee Roth, left, holds his former bandmates' hand, Eddie Van Halen, after the rock group Van Halen announced the bands north American tour during a news conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los...   (Associated Press)
A rock fan dives into the crowd during a performance at the Midi Music Festival in Beijing Wednesday May 2, 2007. The four-day festival will feature 90 bands performing on five stages, with music styles ranging from hardcore punk and metal to electronic, dance and folk music. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
A rock fan dives into the crowd during a performance at the Midi Music Festival in Beijing Wednesday May 2, 2007. The four-day festival will feature 90 bands performing on five stages, with music styles...   (Associated Press)
A rock fan amps up the crowd during a performance at the Midi Music Festival in Beijing Wednesday May 2, 2007. The four-day festival will feature 90 bands performing on five stages, with music styles ranging from hardcore punk and metal to electronic, dance and folk music. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
A rock fan amps up the crowd during a performance at the Midi Music Festival in Beijing Wednesday May 2, 2007. The four-day festival will feature 90 bands performing on five stages, with music styles...   (Associated Press)
NETHERLANDS-CONCERT-THE POLICE
NETHERLANDS-CONCERT-THE POLICE   (Getty Images)
Sting and the Police perform during the
Sting and the Police perform during the   (Getty Images (by Event))
Singer Robert Plant, left, and guitarist Jimmy Page, right, of the British rock band Led Zeppelin perform at the Live Aid concert at Philadelphia's J.F.K. Stadium in this file photo July 13, 1985. Led Zeppelin announced Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, a one-off comeback concert in tribute to the...
Singer Robert Plant, left, and guitarist Jimmy Page, right, of the British rock band Led Zeppelin perform at the Live Aid concert at Philadelphia's J.F.K. Stadium in this file photo July 13, 1985. Led...   (Associated Press)
British rock legend Robert Plant performs on the main stage, during the Paleo open air music Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Plant is the singer with Led Zeppelin. (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)
British rock legend Robert Plant performs on the main stage, during the Paleo open air music Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Plant is the singer with Led Zeppelin. (AP Photo/Keystone,...   (Associated Press)
British hard rock singer Robert Plant performs on the main stage, during the Paleo open air music Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Plant is the singer with Led Zeppelin. (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)
British hard rock singer Robert Plant performs on the main stage, during the Paleo open air music Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Plant is the singer with Led Zeppelin. (AP...   (Associated Press)
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