DATE: DECEMBER 9, 1998
FROM: AMANDA CAGAN/ MITCH SCHNEIDER
SUCCESS OF "THE FAMILY VALUES" TOUR
BRINGS BACK ARENA ROCK `N' ROLL SPECTACULARS
AND SETS THE STAGE FOR ITS RETURN NEXT YEAR
The inaugural year of "THE FAMILY VALUES" tour–which "certainly proved to be one of the rock spectacles of the year," noted the Los Angeles Times in its review–was a huge success and will return in 1999, thanks to the loud street buzz and the thunderous response from fans. It's clear that KORN–who master-minded the tour with their management company The Firm and Metropolitan Entertainment–made good on their promise to bring arena rock `n' roll sound-and-sight extravaganzas back to the fans.
Featuring one of the heaviest cutting-edge concert line-ups in rock history–KORN, RAMMSTEIN, ICE CUBE, LIMP BIZKIT and ORGY–the 27 dates which ran from September 22-October 31 grossed more than $6.4 million, with fan-friendly ticket prices ranging from $26.00 to $29.50. Over 243,000 attendees came out to see this tour, which "created a bold new profile for hard guitar bands," according to Jim Farber of the New York Daily News.
The irreverently titled tour became a reality on September 22 in Rochester, NY, in front of a wildly enthusiastic crowd which screamed, moshed, danced and sang along with all the artists. It concluded on Halloween outside of Washington, DC in Fairfax, VA at the Patriot Center.
Fans were treated to elaborate stage designs for each band; larger-than-life light and laser shows; pyrotechnics; and short set changes between each performance. Fans entering the arena were made to feel like they had just walked into their own personal musical playroom of sorts–with "No Parents Allowed" for the evening.
With flying saucers, flame throwers, a Mt. Rushmore-sized statue of a rap superstar, a bi-level cage filled with radio contest winners, a DJ spinning records in between sets, and five bands that brought it all together on one stage throughout the course of four hours, who could ask for more in a rock `n' roll spectacular?
"It worked with the kids," says Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm. "The kids who were there know how great it was and the street buzz is phenomenal. It'll be even bigger next year."
Says John Scher of Metropolitan Entertainment: "`THE FAMILY VALUES' tour was not only a great business success, but more importantly, a rousing success with the fans. I think, to a great degree, we accomplished what we set out to: creating a fun, wild evening with a unique atmosphere and incredible music."
"We're creating some rock history with this tour," says KORN. "From that first show, we had goosebumps upon goosebumps and we could feel that we created something special."
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