Could Classic Rock's Biggest Stars Be Hurting Their Own Legacy?

WHEN DID SEEING YOUR FAVORITE ROCK BAND BECOME A LUXURY PURCHASE? Speaking of luxury purchases, this is a GREAT deluxe version of their debut on vinyl! https://amzn.to/4hY19VP Aerosmith is preparing for two special Hollywood Bowl performances, and THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW’s Neeley and Chris Akin have a serious question: Who the hell is paying these ticket prices? What starts as a discussion about Aerosmith’s return quickly becomes a brutal examination of the modern concert business. The guys look up available seats during the show and discover prices ranging from hundreds of dollars in distant sections to nearly $1,000 for better locations. And that’s before parking, food, drinks, travel, and everything else that turns a night of rock and roll into a major financial commitment. But the price is only half the problem. With an enormous guest list featuring Guns N’ Roses, Run-DMC, Sammy Hagar, Billy Idol, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello and others, Chris wonders how much actual Aerosmith music fans will get for their money. Could Steven Tyler and company deliver only a handful of songs while celebrity guests take over the rest of the evening? Is this another attempt to recreate the success of Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell event? Could the concerts lead to a new Aerosmith tour, or is that wishful thinking? Neeley digs into the potential economics of the shows, from ticket revenue to the possibility of a paid livestream, while Chris argues that the industry has turned the bands ordinary fans helped build into expensive attractions those same fans can barely justify attending. They also discuss the increasingly outrageous prices attached to major concerts, including Metallica, and explain why neither host would spend thousands for a couple of hours of live music. Aerosmith may still be one of rock’s biggest names. But does that make any ticket price acceptable? Watch and weigh in: Would you spend $1,000 to see Aerosmith, especially without knowing how much of the show would actually feature the band? #Aerosmith #ConcertPrices #TheClassicMetalShow #StevenTyler #ClassicRock #RockMusic #HollywoodBowl #LiveMusic Get commercial free versions of our episodes, advance releases and exclusive content by subscribing to Rumble Premium! https://rumble.com/premium NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows, are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to form your own opinions.

On this episode of CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS, Chris sits down with original Godsmack guitarist Lee Richards to discuss his new release, LEE RICHARDS AND FRIENDS – SONGS FOR A BROKEN WORLD. Richards explains why the record sounds nothing like Godsmack, how songs written during the Another Animal era finally found a home, and why he decided to step behind the microphone as a lead vocalist. Richards also tells the remarkable story behind his departure from Godsmack. He reveals why discovering that he had a son he never knew existed caused him to walk away from the band and become a father just before Godsmack exploded. He discusses whether he regrets that decision, his later return to work with Godsmack, writing “Touche,” and why music never completely disappeared from his life. Chris and Lee also dig into the creation of SONGS FOR A BROKEN WORLD, Richards’ approach to songwriting, working with Tony Rombola and Shannon Larkin, his haunting interpretation of “Summer Breeze,” his friendship and creative partnership with Ugly Kid Joe vocalist Whitfield Crane, and his plans to finally get back on the road. GET LEE RICHARDS’ MUSIC ON AMAZON: https://amzn.to/4jJv86f Want everything uncensored, complete shows, exclusive content, early access and more? Become a VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com All comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. Please SUBSCRIBE, click the notification bell, leave a comment or a like, and share this episode!

Does Judas Priest still deserve to be called Judas Priest when the musicians who built the band are no longer there? And could KK’s Priest actually be delivering a more authentic version of the legendary metal band’s music? On this episode of THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW, Neeley and Chris Akin tackle the controversial question of whether original band members really matter anymore. GET JUDAS PRIEST’S INVINCIBLE SHIELD ON VINYL: https://amzn.to/4eoNsy4 QUIET RIOT’S METAL HEALTH IS A LEGENDARY RELEASE! GET IT ON VINYL HERE: https://amzn.to/4zqx9ZK WHITESNAKE’S ALL ACCESS: LIVE IS THE ULTIMATE WHITESNAKE EXPERIENCE! GET IT TODAY! https://amzn.to/4duz9I3 DOKKEN’S THE ELEKTRA YEARS BOX SET IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY HAIR METAL FAN! GET YOURS NOW! https://amzn.to/4hBlpxC The discussion starts with the reported retirement of longtime Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill, which raises an uncomfortable question about the band’s future. With Rob Halford still fronting Priest, but the band’s founding lineup no longer intact, is this still the legendary Judas Priest fans grew up with—or has the name become bigger than the musicians? Neeley brings his firsthand experience from a recent KK’s Priest concert, where KK Downing and Tim “Ripper” Owens delivered a performance that left him seriously questioning which version of the Priest legacy he’d rather see. But here’s where the argument gets interesting. **If a replacement musician sounds better, plays better and delivers a stronger concert than an original member, why should fans care who’s actually onstage?** Chris and Neeley take that question straight into the heart of classic metal, examining bands like Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P., Dokken and Whitesnake. Is the original lineup sacred, or are fans allowing nostalgia to dictate what qualifies as a legitimate band? The guys also explore whether KK Downing could ever return to Judas Priest, what that would mean for the musicians involved, and whether some legendary bands might actually benefit from younger performers keeping their music alive. Before all that, Chris reveals an unbelievably named bargain hair trimmer, the guys argue over brand loyalty, and a frustrating Vizio television purchase turns into a rant about smart TV advertising, privacy and the ridiculous things consumers put up with. Plus, a Dangerous Toys debut album reissue giveaway for THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW’s Locals community! **The real question isn’t just whether Judas Priest is still Judas Priest. It’s whether the music, the musicians or the name on the ticket matters most.** So where do YOU stand? Would you rather see Judas Priest with Rob Halford or KK’s Priest with KK Downing and Tim “Ripper” Owens? Get commercial free versions of our episodes, advance releases and exclusive content by subscribing to Rumble Premium! https://rumble.com/premium NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows, are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to form your own opinions.

Is a $90 night of W.A.S.P. and KK’s Priest actually a better deal than spending thousands to see Metallica in a massive arena spectacle? And did Blackie Lawless finally put the backing-track controversy to rest? GET WASP’S THE LAST COMMAND ON VINYL! WHAT A GREAT RELEASE!! https://amzn.to/4zxheZT KK’S PRIEST’S THE SINNER RIDES AGAIN IS SO GREAT! FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF HERE! https://amzn.to/3TN7LhR On this edition of THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW, Neeley returns from seeing W.A.S.P. and KK’s Priest at the Des Plaines Theatre, and his review might surprise some longtime critics. After previously questioning whether Blackie Lawless was relying too heavily on backing tracks, Neeley says this performance was a completely different experience. Was Blackie actually delivering the goods this time? And KK’s Priest wasn’t exactly screwing around either. With K.K. Downing bringing the classic Judas Priest attitude and Tim “Ripper” Owens delivering powerful vocals, Neeley explains why the show was worth every penny. That leads Chris and Neeley into a bigger argument about concert prices. When bands are charging astronomical amounts for elaborate arena productions, are fans actually getting a better show, or are they just paying for expensive technology and a famous name? Is the real value in heavy metal found in smaller theaters with musicians who still know how to kick ass? But the concert discussion is only the beginning. Chris gets an unexpected surprise when a CMS listener buys him a ticket to see W.A.S.P. and KK’s Priest in Cleveland. The guys also discuss Don Dokken’s interactions with fans after a Pennsylvania concert and what makes the classic metal community different from other music audiences. Then they revisit the controversy surrounding Quiet Riot’s new young singer, John Torra. Can one replacement vocalist really help revive an entire genre, or is the excitement getting completely out of control? The conversation eventually goes completely sideways as the guys tear into classic horror movies. Is Hellraiser really the masterpiece some fans claim? Why does Freddy Krueger remain such an entertaining horror character? And are the original Nightmare on Elm Street movies still better than what Hollywood produces today? Finally, Chris admits he’s having a hard time caring about professional sports anymore. Has the product become boring, or did the real enjoyment always come from hanging out with friends and watching the games together? It’s classic CMS: hard rock, heavy metal, expensive concerts, horror movies, sports, and two guys who couldn’t follow a corporate radio script if their lives depended on it. **ON THIS EPISODE:** - Did Blackie Lawless finally deliver a convincing live vocal performance? - Are W.A.S.P. and KK’s Priest worth more than expensive arena concerts? - Is K.K. Downing still one of heavy metal’s most commanding performers? - Can Tim “Ripper” Owens still deliver the classic Judas Priest material? - Why did a CMS listener buy Chris a concert ticket? - What happened when fans met Don Dokken after a show? - Is Quiet Riot’s new singer getting too much attention? - Are classic horror movies better than today’s Hollywood productions? - Has professional sports lost its entertainment value? **THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW — HAIL AND KILL!** Join the CMS community: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com Get commercial free versions of our episodes, advance releases and exclusive content by subscribing to Rumble Premium! https://rumble.com/premium NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows, are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to form your own opinions.

Is Judas Priest facing an identity crisis? Is Aerosmith’s expensive Hollywood Bowl comeback worth the money, or are fans paying for a parade of guest stars? And who thought pairing Def Leppard with the Goo Goo Dolls was a good idea? Aerosmith’s PANDORA’S BOX is so worthy! Add it to your collection now! https://amzn.to/4jcmCg0 Does it get better than Judas Priest’s THE COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTION? We don’t think so! https://amzn.to/4s7i2lK Chris Akin and Neeley tackle these questions, challenge the state of classic rock, and deliver the unfiltered opinions and laughs you’ve come to expect from THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW. Get commercial free versions of our episodes, advance releases and exclusive content by subscribing to Rumble Premium! https://rumble.com/premium NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows, are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to draw your own conclusions.