http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/getback/72769/calling-in-sick/

Calling in Sick
Posted Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:19pm PST by Shawn Amos in GetBack
Ya know, writing a blog isn't much different than being a musician on the road or an actor in a play: late nights, screaming fans, strange hotel rooms, bad food. For the two hours onstage, it's total bliss. Everything else in between is a mindless chore.

It's no wonder that some artists will do anything to get off the road. Everyone needs a break. I get that. Just tell me straight. Let me know you can't take it. Or let me know that your tour wasn't selling enough tickets so you had to pull the plug. Or you had better things to do. Whatever the reason, If you're gonna call in sick to work, at least come up with a good excuse. You hear me, Jeremy Piven? That "mercury toxicity" thing was WAY lame.

These artists have the sorriest concert cancellation excuses ever.


BO BICE
Excuse: "Has to immediately return to the studio to complete album"

The American Idol runner-up had been dropped from his label and was playing the House of Blues circuit last year when he cancelled three gigs to "immediately return to the studio" to record a follow-up album. Really? You have no label deal, you're playing HOB gigs, and you have to rush into the studio? Who's waiting for the record? No one, apparently. See The Light peaked at #150 on the Billboard 200.










AEROSMITH
Excuse: "Don’t have their gear"

The Toxic Twins cancelled a sold-out show in Maui, saying they weren't able to get their gear to Hawaii on time from a gig a few days earlier in Chicago. Meanwhile, the band hopped over to neighboring island Oahu to play a private show for a bunch of Toyota car dealers. They got paid $1 million, a lot more than that Maui gig for a just a bunch of paying fans. Who cares about paying fans, right?












WHITE STRIPES
Excuse: "Acute anxiety"

After touring Canada in support of their 2007 Icky Thump release, Jack and Meg were all set to conquer the U.S. when they abruptly cancelled the tour due to Meg's "anxiety problems." Maybe she didn't want to compete with the Raconteurs.










GUNS N' ROSES
Excuse: "Finishing Chinese Democracy"

It only seems like yesterday. Axl's newly minted Guns N' Roses line-up was all set to tour in 2002 to support their new album, Chinese Democracy. Only problem? There was no new album. Oh, and Axl decided not to show up for most of the gigs. I guess no excuse is almost as good as a lame excuse.










FRANK ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION
Excuse: "Some stupid with a flare gun burned the place to the ground"

I'm throwing this one on the list just because it's so legendarily cool and bizarre. Zappa and the Mothers were playing a show in Montreux, Switzerland, when some dude in the crowd shot a flare gun and burned the club down. So no, the gig wasn't cancelled; it was stopped. And no, it's not an excuse. But it's a damn good rock story and the inspiration for the FM radio staple "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, who probably made up some lame excuses for canceling gigs at some point in their career.

Geez, what a bunch of lame-o's!!:p

Yeah, but you know that whole thing cancelling a show because you're sick--now I know there are some performers who really want to put on a great show for their fans, especially what the price are tickets these days. But on the other end of it is you're only up there anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. That's it. You want to know how many of us "common folk" go to work every day sick. And that's working normally 8 hours!! Unless you've passed out or are puking like every 15 minutes, I don't see why you still can't do your show. I don't know, maybe if I were in their shoes, I'd feel differently.

A number of years ago, we went to see Genesis. They came on stage, did 1 song, and during the 2nd song, they stopped playing and Phil Collins said to the audience that he was just too sick to go on and they were going to have to cancel the rest of the show. We were able to get refunds, too. Not only that, but before the show, I just happened to find an extra unused ticket, so I got a refund for that, too!! My point is that at least Phil made an effort to try to perform(and didn't make some excuse that he had to "immediately return to the studio" or "had acute anxiety") :crazy: !!

Go suck one. Axl and Steven Tyler have earned the right to cancel whenever they want to. And fans will STILL buy their tickets as soon as they go on sale.

Go suck one.

That was a bit uncalled for.

Don't get so defensive.

I expect a little more professionalism from Aerosmith.

Wow, I didn't know that flare gun line from "Smoke On The Water" was based on an acutal incident!

:lol:

Wow, I didn't know that flare gun line from "Smoke On The Water" was based on an acutal incident!

:lol:
I always heard it was inspired by the Cuyahoga River catching fire in 1969! :lol:

Go suck one.
Tone it down.

Go suck one. Axl and Steven Tyler have earned the right to cancel whenever they want to. And fans will STILL buy their tickets as soon as they go on sale.

I don't think it matters who you are. You never "earn" the right to cancel unless it's absolutely necessary.

Yeah, but you know that whole thing cancelling a show because you're sick--now I know there are some performers who really want to put on a great show for their fans, especially what the price are tickets these days. But on the other end of it is you're only up there anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. That's it. You want to know how many of us "common folk" go to work every day sick. And that's working normally 8 hours!! Unless you've passed out or are puking like every 15 minutes, I don't see why you still can't do your show. I don't know, maybe if I were in their shoes, I'd feel differently.


I agree. I remember hearing several years back that Sara Evans got food poisoning while eating at an airport, and still did her show that night. She had to leave the stage a few times due to vomiting, but still finished the show. Now, that's dedication. I don't think there's many people who would do that, and I wouldn't really expect them to.

I agree. I remember hearing several years back that Sara Evans got food poisoning while eating at an airport, and still did her show that night. She had to leave the stage a few times due to vomiting, but still finished the show. Now, that's dedication. I don't think there's many people who would do that, and I wouldn't really expect them to.
I heard the exact same thing happened to Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations years ago. He also had to go backstage to throw up several times, but finished the show. What troopers!!

Well if you guys don't appreciate rock stars, that's cool.

And tone what down? Pretty sure people can handle it.

Well if you guys don't appreciate rock stars, that's cool.

And tone what down? Pretty sure people can handle it.
That was a warning to tone it down. We don't tell each other to "go suck one" around here. That's not welcome here. It's also against the rules to argue on the boards when you're being warned, so end it here. If you feel your warning isn't justified, take it up with TJ, the owner.

glad to see that "i need to rest my voice" wasn't on there like i was expecting. i've seen too many people criticize singers for cancelling shows for that reason, making comments like that the fans should come first and they need to learn how to sing. singing too often can lead to problems like vocal nodes and laryngitis, no matter how properly you do it or how good you are.

Plus, a lot of singers suffered problems performing in venues where people smoked. So that's one more way voices were harmed. You've mentioned quite a few times that you sing, Sarah. I know you are a music student, but do you also sing in public, just for fun?

Plus, a lot of singers suffered problems performing in venues where people smoked. So that's one more way voices were harmed. You've mentioned quite a few times that you sing, Sarah. I know you are a music student, but do you also sing in public, just for fun?
yeah, i do. mostly for choir concerts, but i do solo performances whenever i have the chance.

yeah, i do. mostly for choir concerts, but i do solo performances whenever i have the chance.
Awesome!! :cool:

Im really upset that Mariah Carey pull out of her tour but she hasn't given a lame excuse. It's obvious that she wants to be with her hot new hubby and try to make a baby. Sounds like fun. :D So I guess it's not such a bad thing.