50 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 7/13/80 TaIenI cc Talent In Acbon cl Top Boxofticea JOHN DENVER Face," which features a beefy bass line by Louis mellifluous cadenzas -was especially note- Municipal Auditorium, Johnson. worthy. c Copyright 1980, Billboard Publications, Inc. No part of this may be reproduced, On that 1976 hit, all of the members of the Songs played included: "Rainbow Seeker," publication Nashville stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means. electronic, mechanical, "Snowflake," "It Happens Every Day" and "Car- Tickets: $12.50, $10, $8.50 six -man backup band except drummer Ricky photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Lawson left the stage, making way for a show - mel." The sound was rich and compelling, and Clearly the folks hadn't forgotten Denver in stopping drums/bass duel. The number led into infectiously danceable. The only disappointing his two -year absence from Music City. His July the exhilarating "Stomp," one of the year's fin- selection was the new number, "Rhapsody And Total Ticket 12 concert drew an almost full house of enthusi- ARTIST Promoter, Facility, Dates Ticket Price Gross est hit singles. Blues," which came off as melodically uninter- - CC asts. As is his happy custom, Denver used no DENOTES SELLOUT PERFORMANCES Sales Scale Receipts Rufus, similarly, earned only polite applause esting and overly pretentious in its arrange- opening act, electing instead to work the stage with its early hits, ranging from the gritty "Tell ment. for the entire 34 -song, two -hour and 15- minute Stadiums & Festivals (More Than 20,000) Me Something Good" to the seductive "Sweet Moreira was spectacular on his exotic percus- program. Thing." But it generated a frenzied response sive instruments and he garnered strong au- 1 BOB SEGER /REO /POINTBLANK /THE ROCKETS- 45,142 $12.00$14.00 $555,240* Denver developed a quick camaraderie with from the near -capacity crowd on the set -capping dience response. The Moreira- Hooper rhythmic Sunshine Promotions, Kentucky Fair Stadium, the audience, joking and encouraging them to "Once You Get Started" and "Do You Love What interchanges were especially dynamic and well Louisville, Ky., July 13 sing along, setting up songs and responding You Feel." received. Another highlight was the rendition of V HEART /J. GEILS BAND /BLACKFOOT /TRIUMPH /JOE 32,424 $13.00$15.00 $410,932 amiably to shouted requests and compliments. Breeze," on which Bobby Hutcherson PERRY PROJECT -Belkin Productions /Chicago One small disappointment: the group's 70- "Jazzman Again, Denver showed he is basically a gospel Matsui Productions, Toledo Speedway, Toledo, Oh., July 13 minute set omitted Chaka Khan's solo hits like (vibes), Osamu Kitajima (koto) and Kazu singer -in the sense that he presents himself as 3 THE WHO /WILLIE NILE -Entam Presents /Sunshine 20,713 $8.00$12.00 $226,936* the striking "I'm Every Woman." PAUL GREIN (shakuhachi) came onstage for the breath- a messenger of transcendent love rather than as takingly beautiful Japanese -flavored piece. Promotions, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky., July 11 the reporter of transitory encounters. Garris' orchestra was well- tempered and pro- Still, the show was a model of light- To CRUSADERS vided a pleasant undercurrent during the eve- Arenas (6,000 20,000) heartedness, adorned with such expected Den- ning, but seemed rather unnecessary on the RANDY CRAWFORD 1 QUEEN /THE BLASTERS -Avalon Attractions, The 60,800 $8.75 -$10.751 $594,970* ver drolleries as "Toledo, Ohio," "Thank God, whole: the spare, economic sound of the Crusad- Amphitheatre, Universal City, Calif. Forum, Inglewood, Ca., July 8 -12 (4) I'm A Country Boy," "Grandma's Featherbed" ers does not lend itself to the symphonic scale. Tickets: $12.50, $11.50, $10.50 2 TOM PETTY /TOMMY TUTONE- Electric Factory 25,566 $8.50 -$9.50 $234,522 and the antique rockers, "Johnny B. Goode" and Garris' orchestra was well- suited, however, to Concerts, The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pa., July 8 &9 For this homecoming concert-their next to "Memphis." the rousing performance of "Street Life," for last date on a seven -week U.S. tour -the vener- (2) Among the evening's other standouts were which opening act Randy Crawford joined the 3 BILLY JOEL -Cross Country Concerts, Hartford Civic 15,900 $9.50- $11.50 $176,824 the Stanley Brothers' classic, "How Mountain able Crusaders pulled out all stops. band and got the audience out of its seats with Center, Hartford, Conn., July 11 Girls Can Love," featuring Denver on mandolin, Stix Hooper, Joe Sample and Wilton Felder her exciting vocals. "Street Life" showed off 4 THE WHO /WILLIE NILE -Entam Presents /Beach 13,761 $10.00 -$12.00 $159,526* a to the crowd of "Tennessee were joined by, among others, jazz all -stars Airto surprise gift Crawford's powerful voice to even greater ad- Club, The Greensboro Colis., Greensboro, N.C., July Waltz," a soaring treatment of "Sweet Surren- Moreira (percussion) and Alphonzo Johnson vantage than had her successful eight -song, 1 der" and the grim warning to a predatory race, (bass). Their sound was further augmented by a one -hour set earlier in the evening. In both 5 THE WHO /WILLIE NILE -Mid -South Concerts, Mid- 11,999 $7.50- $12.50 $130,975" "You Say That The Battle Is Over." In one seg- 32 -piece orchestra led by comanager Sid Garris. cases, Crawford amply proved her abilities as a South Colis., Memphis. Tenn., July 10 ment, Denver excused his superb nine- member The 12 -song, 105 -minute show was a joy to singer and as an entertainer. 6 TED NUGENT /SCORPIONS /DEF LEPPARD- Electric 16,523 $6.50 -$8.50 $129,094* did five songs to his own accom- band and listen to throughout as the dapper, white -tail Though no encore was offered at the end of Factory Concerts, The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pa., He with "Calypso" and en- July 14 paniment. closed clad Crusaders performed their unique blend of the show by the Crusaders, they gave their fans with This Guitar." 7 ISLEY BROTHERS /GAP BAND /FATBACK /S.O.S. 12,328 $8.50$9.50 $115,719* cored Old jazz, rock and blues with enthusiasm and preci- a fulfilling evening, with songs guaranteed to clam- BAND -Marquee Productions /Taurus Productions, As long as the concert was, the crowd sion. Felder's excellent saxwork -such as his warm the coldest soul. CHRIS McGOWAN ored for more Denver, finding in him, perhaps, a Cardina Colis., Columbia, S.C., July 12 person whose gospel of love is more thorough- 8 1SLEY BROTHERS /CAMEO /GAP BAND /S.O.S. 12,900 $8.0049.00 $111,761* BAND Productions /Beach Club Charlotte going than Bob Dylan's funky fundamentalism -Marquee Colis., Charlotte, N.C., July 11 and whose wide -ranging affection for the Ameri- Billy Joel Shows Draw Big 9 II TOP /HUMBLE PIE -DiCesare- Angler Productions, 11,541 $9.00 -$10.00 $105,000* can land and people reduces Charlie Daniels' NEW YORK -Billy Joel did not Joel went out without a record and Allentown Fair Grandstand, Allentown, Pa., July 13 current posturing to its rightful place as a chart restructure the second half of his easily soldout multiple dates in the 10 000BIE BROTHERS /THE DIRT BAND- 11,061 $8.50 -$9.50 $100,900 C oddity. EDWARD MORRIS CC current tour because he "didn't want largest indoor halls on a series of Contemporary Productions, The Checker Dome, St. to chance his huge reputation with West Coast, Midwest, Eastern and Louis, Mo., July 10 11 DOOBIE BROTHERS DREGS -Schon -$9.50 $100,040 m RUFUS & CHAKA poorly attended shows," as was sug- Southern cities." says Arfa. /DIXIE 10,642 $8.50 Productions, St. Paul Arena, St. Paul, Minn., July 8 BROTHERS JOHNSON gested in Billboard's July 12 issue, 12 ALICE COOPER /SHEIK /POT LIQUOR -Super Star 11,520 $8.00- $9.00 $97,650 Greek Theatre, Los Angeles his organization says. Productions, Riverside Centroplex, Baton Rouge, La., Tickets: $12.50, $10.50, $7.50 "Our experience on this tour July 13 co m shows that Billy's concert audience DOOBIE BROTHERS DREGGS- Amusement 9.066 $10.00 $90,660* It was a night for crossover funk here July 10 LSignings_i 13 /DIXIE the state the Conspiracy, S Season Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when these veteran acts opened a two -night is expanding despite of có Dennis Arfa, presi- July 9 em stand. Rufus took a gutsy, harder -edged r &b economy," says Reunited trio Main Ingredient re- 14 FOGHAT /PAT TRAVERS BAND -Brass Ring 8,883 $9.00-$10.00 $87,819 >- funk approach; Brothers Johnson leaned to a dent of Home Run Agency, which turns to RCA Records. The new LP Productions/Celebrate Productions, Cobo Arena, lighter, slicker pop funk style. books Joel. to is due in August. ... O.C. Smith Detroit, Mi., July 8 Actually, the show was something of a tribute "Promoters of the dates from Family Records. ... Warner Bros. 15 JOURNEY -Feyline Presentations, Red Rock 8,500 $8.50$9.50 $79,409* to multi -crossover specialist Quincy Jones, who which we withdrew were confident artist Hilly Michaels to Chappell Amphitheatre, Denver, Colo., July 7 produced Rufus' most recent "Masterjam" LP 20% to 40% more Joel would sell Music.... Carl Carlton to 20th Cen- 16 QUEEN /THE BLASTERS -Feyline Presentations, 8,410 $9.00$10.00 $77,351 and all four A&M albums by the Brothers. years. tickets than in previous Wolf tury-Fox Records. ... Ovation inks Compton Terrace, Tempe, Ariz., July 7 right, razor -sharp instrumental Both acts had & Rissmiller requested multiple rock quintet Citizen as part of its ex- 17 CRYSTAL GAYLE /MICKEY GILLEY- Feyline 7.014 $9.50-$10.50 $73,897 support, though Rufus boasted a more riveting dates with Billy in Los Angeles, Bill panding pop roster.