Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/93399
months later, I thought I'd made it again when we sold out a Chris Isaak show, the first time we charged $100 for a ticket. But each time I'd put out an offer to a band and they'd say no, I'd think I hadn't made it yet. It's an evolution. AP: What acts haven't you been able to snag? MG: I made Paul McCartney an offer once, and the next day, someone tripled it. Big artists want big prices. Some acts are just beyond the realm of reasonableness, although I'm not sure there's even such a thing in Aspen. I mean, if we could get the Rolling Stones in here, people would pay. AP: You've attracted lots of marquee artists like Al Green, Ben Harper, and Lucinda Williams. What's the draw? MG: I'm not dumb enough to think that the club is successful because of me. Artists give us more attention than the average 450-seat club because we're in Aspen, a place with mystique and allure— and in some cases, where musicians vacation. In 2005, Seal was here snowboarding, so he played a show. Perry Farrell, who's played three New Year's Eve shows, turns the gig into a family ski trip. AP: What's the appeal for musicians who wouldn't otherwise hit Aspen? MG: Once you get a few of the big-name guys in here, others aren't afraid. They know you can exe- cute a great show: The sound system won't make them sound like they're in a barrel; high ticket prices won't leave the room half-empty. They won't be embarrassed… though they might embarrass us. AP: What's your most embarrassing story? MG: I don't want to incriminate anyone. But I'll tell you a horror story: having a blizzard the day before a sold-out Wyclef Jean show that prevents him from getting to Aspen. Twice a year, someone's not going to get here because of the weather. AP: What are some of the most memorable Belly Up shows? MG: The Flaming Lips always transforms the club with its production. In 2010 the group brought a semi truck full of mirrored balls, gongs, and lighting, and [front man] Wayne Coyne rolled offstage in a giant plastic bubble. Last year, we did three days of Widespread Panic that blew the roof off. Tickets were $350–$500, and the shows sold out in minutes. People camped outside the club for 24 hours waiting for tickets. AP: Belly Up has hosted some cool impromptu collaborations—for instance, Lance Armstrong once jumped onstage with Lyle Lovett. Does that kind of thing happen often? MG: In 2010 Tim McGraw was here with his wife, Faith Hill, to see Keb Mo. Tim decided to step in, and he almost stole the show. Also, John Oates [of Hall & Oates], who lives in town, has probably played with more bands here than anyone else. upright piano couldn't fit into the elevator, but we had to use it because we committed to not using any electric keyboards. Michael came down and personally anchored the team to carry it down the stairs so we could pull off the gig. Thank you, Michael, for all the great times and music!" —JOHN "JOJO" HERMANN OF WIDESPREAD PANIC ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM 153 —THIEVERY CORPORATION " John Prine, an inspiration to both Goldberg and Hunter S. Thompson, onstage at Belly Up in June 2009. nights there and we always look forward to that packed house, and, in Thievery Corporation's case, the packed stage!" When Jimmy [Buffett] was living in Aspen in the '70s and '80s, he would use the pseudonym Freddie and the Fishsticks when he was playing local shows, and it got to be an 'in the know' thing. When we were coming to do the show at Belly Up in 2005, Jimmy told Michael Goldberg to bill the show that way. Goldberg, uncertain that people would know who it was, said, 'Are you sure?' Jimmy told him definitely, Goldberg did, and the show sold out in 10 minutes." —MIKE MOONEY, ROAD MANAGER FOR JIMMY BUFFETT "Belly U p is my favorite place to play in Colorado, not just because of the venue itself, which is so perfectly laid out, but because of its peoples' love of the music. I will never forget before the W ood Tour last February, my PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL GOLDBERG