University Daily Kansan, August 22, 1984 Page 11
CAMPUS
City strives for big concerts
By PAUL FAZIO
Staff Reporter
Stiff competition from concert facilities in nearby cities has reduced the number of large concerts in Lawrence, the director of the Kansas Union said.
"The primary problem in getting a major act has got to be the desirability of acts wanting to play in a big market like Kansas City as to a smaller market like Lawrence," said Jim Long, the director.
Two big advantages Kansas City has over Lawrence are the larger clientele and the ability to have higher ticket prices, he said.
Long said one problem with Allen Field House was that light and sound were mixed.
the ceiling.
SCHEDULING CONFLICTS have also been a problem in Allen Field House, said Ted Mankin, vice president of New West Productions.
"We can't hang sound, but we can put them on stage." Long said. "But that's much less of a problem than the market they're competing with."
"We tried to get the Culture Club, but we couldn't do it because of basketball practice." said Mankin.
Another problem in staging Lawrence concerts is competition from Sandstone Amphitheater, which opened last spring in Bonner Springs.
"Sandstone is going to be a direct competition to us with concerts in the spring and fall," said Fran麦麦克，Garman for Student Union Activities.
Kevin O'Neil, publicist for Sandstone through Feyline Productions,
said that Feyline probably would not book any concerts in the Lawrence area this year.
"WE'RE CONCENTRATING strictly on Sandstone this year," O'Neill said. "We're trying to start a new tradition like at Starlight. We want to be the next Starlight."
New West Productions, which has sponsored such acts as Lionel Richie, Huey Lewis and the News, and Van Halen, plans to book a number of concerts in Hoch Auditorium this fall, Mankin said. However, scheduling problems may again become a factor.
Raymond Brecheisen/KANSAM
Bob Walkenhorst, drummer and lead singer for the rock'n'roll band Steve, Bob and Rich, wins during one of the group's recent concerts at the Jazzahaus, 926½ Massachusetts St.
"The bands may only have one day to work with, and there may be a class in Hoch that day which cancels the concert," Mankin said.
MacFerran said, "The problem with Hoch is that it's too big for some bands and too small for others."
But Mankin said Lawrence still had the potential for a major concert.
"Lawrence is a real champion which do better there than in Kansas City," he said.
If nationally known groups don't play in Lawrence, one alternative is live music that is still played regularly at a few Lawrence clubs.
THE JAZZHAUS. 926 $1/2 Massachusetts St., and Sgt. Preston's of the North, 815 New Hampshire St., have bad success in hiring live bands.
"I don't know if anyone can touch the stuff we do," said Jazzhaus owner Rick McNeely, who prides herself on being part of groups that play at the Jazzhaus.
Although the club features jazz music, McNeely also hires pop, rock'n'roll, rhythm and blues and reggae bands.
"WE PRACTICALLY do all kinds but country and western and contemporary top 40." McNeely said. "I don't want to limit the music to jazz because it does not have that wide of an appeal. I think what's popular this year may not be popular next year," he said.
Usually, the Jazzhaus' clientele ranges from 25 to 35 years old. "But we still get a lot of young kids," McNey said. "College kids who come here once keep coming back."
Sgt. Preston's features live music on Tuesday and Satur day nights. Steve Stephenson, man ger of Sgt. Stephenson, the club primarily hired local bands.
"WE TRY TO promote new acts
that we'll be ready to start."
How should they'll get followers?
Stephenson said that he didn't hire bands from outside the Lawrence area because the bands were usually more expensive.
Live rock declining in Lawrence
Ry PAUL FAZIO
By PAUL FAZIG Staff Reporter
Whatever happened to the live rock'n roll music that had its home in the old buildings and establishments in Lawrence?
Ski Moon, owner of the Lawrence Opera House, 642 Massachusetts St., believes financial difficulties have slowed the downfall of those establishments.
"We took on the risk. I closed the Opera House because I went through bankruptcy. Now I'm trying to sell the place." Moon said.
I've been here since 1965. Lawrence runs in cycles. You start with a lot of taverns in Lawrence." Moon said. "Then there are too many, so some become clubs. Then the clubs start playing different music like disco. Pretty soon, everything became bluegrass."
came through
The Pladium, 901 Mississippi St.,
discontinued live music at the end of this spring.
"WE'RE MAKING it affordable for the students," said Phil Wente, manager of the Pladium. "We changed the format, the image, everything."
Steve Greenwood, former music director for KJHK-FM radio, has seen the effects of the lack of live
rock'n'roll music halls.
Steve Wilson, manager of Kief's Discount Records, 2100 W. 25th St., and a former musician for the Thumbs, a local rock'n'roll band, said that the introduction of Music Television had contributed to a declining interest in smaller rock groups.
"There's hardly any place for young rock'n'roll groups to play." Greenwood said.
"RECORD COMPANIES do not support bands that could attract 300 to 1,000 people. They're putting money into video because it's a lot more effective." Wilson said.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A GENIUS TO FIGURE OUT THE KANSAS AND BURGE UNIONS T TO OFFER YOU.
● Banking—Various banking services, including cash cashing, are available at both Unions. ● Student Union Activities—SUA sponsors numerous events throughout the year, including lectures, films, art exhibits, trips, concerts and indoor and outdoor recreational activities. ● KU Bookstores—In addition to buying your textbooks at the KU Booksstore on level 2 of the Kansas Union, you will want to browse through the Oresthe Burge Show, look at bestseller book displays, greet cards in cards and postcards in cardboard and clothing are available in the KU Booksstore on both Unions. ● Jaybowl—Twelve bowling lanes, billiards tables and various video and amusement machines are the major attractions in the recreation area on level 1 of the Kansas Union. Skilled and novice bowling leagues are established at the beginning of each semester. ● Food Service—During the week, all five dining areas in the Kansas Union serve lunch, with the cafeteria serving breakfast and the Deli serving dinner until 6:30 p.m. The Burge Union has similar hours and menus, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Sunday Brunch Buffet and on Saturdays the Deli is open, catering to the football crowd during the fall season. ● Location—The Kansas Union is located at the Northeast section of campus and the Burge Union is near the Daisy Hill residence halls, northwest of Allen Field House.
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