Hi, out there. I´m one of many fans in Sweden. It´s a real pity that Tom Petty just seems to be touring America. I mean since 1977 when I first heard of the band, they have been playing in Sweden two times. Not much in thirty years. Someone like Bruce Springsteen visits Sweden at least every other year. So here is a prayer. Please visit us in Stockholm, Sweden, soon.

He won´t, even if it sounds hard.... i recently read an interview with him in some german guitar magazine, he said they pay him so much money for the US tours that he would actually really pay for touring in Europe... one of the main reasons is also that his records are sold so bad over here, he´s just not that "profitable" in Europe... sad but probably true

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Originally posted by Ellis D.:
He won´t, even if it sounds hard.... i recently read an interview with him in some german guitar magazine, he said they pay him so much money for the US tours that he would actually really pay for touring in Europe...

Hardly any American artist makes more money touring Europe than States because of the smaller arenas and slightly lower ticket prices. I've never really understood why TP can't do both US and European tours. He has made all kinds of explanations but I don't really believe any of them. But still I kinda understand why they avoided going outside US when Howie was still alive & in the band...

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one of the main reasons is also that his records are sold so bad over here, he´s just not that "profitable" in Europe... sad but probably true

But that is totally his fault. His records don't sell anymore because he never tours here. And promoters don't probably want him anymore because they can't be sure if he will draw people or not. Simple as that. I remember still a few years ago his songs were constantly played on radio here in Finland but not anymore... But I still believe that he would do very well in some parts of Europe if he came here.

Here's an idea: They could "tour" the summer festivals throughout Europe. That way they could keep their expenses lower because they would only need to bring their backline (can be rented too) and instruments and limited crew.

There's alot of festivals in Europe.

Maybe he will do some of those this Summer.

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Originally posted by Teemu:

quote:

Originally posted by Ellis D.:
One of the main reasons is also that his records are sold so bad over here, he´s just not that "profitable" in Europe... sad but probably true

But that is totally his fault. His records don't sell anymore because he never tours here. And promoters don't probably want him anymore because they can't be sure if he will draw people or not. Simple as that.

Precisely. If he played a few shows and did European TV, I think folks would be clamoring to get their hands on the albums.

I don't understand why he doesn't play overseas. He used to.

In fact, that's where the Heartbreakers first became appreciated.

The interview with Warren Zanes on the website says he's touring Europe in 2009

It's a wonderful news
I invy a little who live in USA and have often chance to go at TP&HB concerts.

I know also that Dylan will came just in Rome on April 2009

I wonder if this will actually happen.

I wonder when Dylan or Fogerty will come back to the states and tour. Come to America!

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Originally posted by FireflyElf:
There's alot of festivals in Europe.

Maybe he will do some of those this Summer.

Cooo...TPATH at Glastonbury...I'd pay the extortionate price, and ignore the other bands, for that one!!!

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Originally posted by Martha's Madman:
Cooo...TPATH at Glastonbury...I'd pay the extortionate price, and ignore the other bands, for that one!!!

There are strong rumours that Springsteen and Neil Young will be playing there. Add Tom Petty to that list and you have my all time top 3 favourite artists playing the same festival...

Soo many times the talk has been talked.... Xcuse me but, zzzzzzz...

Take it from various sources - both from within the US-EU (and vice versa) rock touring business generally (bands, managements etc) AND from the second half of TPHB career specifically: it's all about the lack of interest within the TP camp itself. Period. No other explanations hold up.

Sure, record sales and touring are closely related, still after some 15 years of missmanagement since Full Moon Fever, The Great Wide Open and Wildflowers sold BIG TIME in EU (specially UK and Scandinavia from what I heard) TP is still big enough in some countries and still sell! That is the real wonder!

That TP himself refers to money issues as the reason for not leaving home, it just blows his cover as a good guy in a real heartbreaking way. In fact it's the most bs:ing bs I've ever heard. Probably the profit would be a little less, due to a few extra expences, and slightly lower ticket sales (likely not from arena size - besides smaller venues means a lot smaller expences too - but from fewer number of dates), but earning less is not the same as losing, mind you! (Besides TP don't need to tour with any U2 or Madonna size stage/entourage in EU when they don't do so in US)

But ok. Considering the "gold frame" deals I've heard from execs that TP get for CA gigs and US gigs in general I can see how EU seems like a less profitable deal, but the big question is since when did MONEY become KING for TP to the extent that decent earnings are not enought anymore? Most fans would prefer an honest "I-don't-give-a-damn" answer instead....!

So far it's the HEART that has been missing. But if they actually will do their loong overdue tour this year, it's great for sure! It may be too late to restore TP's $$$!!-status of the past, but it could be profitable, increase the record sales a bit AND it could also be a lot of fun for the band and for the remaining fans of EU, if such things even matters anymore.

I'm sure TP really is a really great guy that really wants to go and keep saying so every year that passes, but sadly just cannot afford it. Right.

They won´t come.

Why all the pessimism? I think they'll tour Europe sometime in the near future.