cannabisnews.com: U.S. Firm Scores Stones Contract U.S. Firm Scores Stones Contract Posted by CN Staff on July 20, 2003 at 13:57:14 PT By Greg Quill, Entertainment Columnist Source: Toronto Star Millions of dollars worth of Canadian concert production equipment and the Canadian crews who operate it will be sitting idle on July 30 while American companies and mostly American workers reap the financial benefits from the Rolling Stones all-day event in Downsview. "Our industry is hurting more than most as a result of the cancellation of hundreds of concerts, conventions and promotional events after the SARS outbreak (in March)," said Bob Spencer, who owns the Toronto concert audio company Band World, which he says is the second-largest in North America. Band World's "top-of-the-line technology is exactly the same as or equivalent to what the Stones are using, but what they're using is being supplied by the American (subcontractor) Clair Brothers, out of Pennsylvania," Spencer said.But organizers said that in order to secure the Stones, they had to agree to go with the concert company of the band's choice."One of the conditions on which The Rolling Stones and (their international business representative) Michael Cohl insisted was that they would be responsible for putting a team together that understood the dynamics of the Stones' stage, its unique design, construction, comfort and security features," said Dennis Mills, the Toronto MP who initiated the concert."They decided to use (U.S. concert company) Clear Channel -- http://www.clearchannel.com/ -- who are experts at tour management execution. They made the call and we promised no interference at this end. We're not comparing apples and apples here. If we were, the production would be 100 per cent Canadian."Mills added that details of a "global satellite broadcast" of the event will be made public in the next few days, as well as the specifics of a formula "that will provide direct benefits" from the concert revenue to Ontario health care and hospitality workers.Band World and several other Toronto companies — Westbury National Show Systems, PA Plus, Christie Lites and Optex Staging — have supplied equipment for and worked in the past with promoters House Of Blues and Molson Concerts as well as The Stones and countless other high-end international touring acts, Spencer said.This time they've been shut out.One Toronto-based company, Fourth Phase — the Canadian subsidiary of an American concern — has been awarded the contract to supply stage and audience lighting for the estimated $12 million event, to which the federal government has contributed $3.5 million and the provincial government $2.5 million. Molson and private investors have made up the remainder of the event's full budget.Another Toronto company, Tower Staging, has been engaged to supply scaffolding to support speaker columns in the field, sources say, and a third Canadian operation, Sound Art in Winnipeg, has been subcontracted to supply about $4,000 worth of on-stage sound mixing equipment.Late Wednesday, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 53, negotiated a contract with the promoters that will allow 100 of its members — fewer than half the number required for the event — to work July 30 concert.They will be supplemented by crews with the U.S. equipment suppliers, more than 100 non-union workers.Experts estimate the cost of the Stones' concert stage, sound, lighting and video systems for the day — and the labour to operate them — at over $2 million.Mills, Liberal MP for Toronto-Danforth, said yesterday he can give no specific figures on how much of the production budget for the concert is being spent on Canadian companies.Note: Few jobs went to Toronto companies. 'The money is going south of the border'.Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)Author: Greg Quill, Entertainment ColumnistPublished: July 20, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Toronto Star Contact: lettertoed thestar.com Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Rolling Stoneshttp://www.rollingstones.com/Police Brace for Mickstock http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16864.shtmlCountercultural Canada http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16760.shtmlWelcome To The Summer of Love, Babyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16691.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #14 posted by FoM on July 23, 2003 at 14:11:54 PT Dr. Russo I can relate to how your concert was. I was in another world. It was the most awesome experience I ever had. He did his Greendale play and had the whole place in awe. I can't wait until the DVD comes out. Each week on Saturday Night on http://www.neilyoung.com/ they play another song with the actual video that he shot that will be on the DVD. I can't wait to buy it when it is released in August. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Ethan Russo MD on July 23, 2003 at 14:02:41 PT: You're Right of Course The first time I saw Neil was an outdoor concert at the Gorge in Washington State, high above the Columbia River. He played with Booker T and the MG's and sang "Helpless" about that "yellow moon she's on the rise" at the same time that a huge full moon was showing in the sky. It was transcendentally cosmic. Anyone with any sensitivity would be high experiencing that! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on July 23, 2003 at 13:36:43 PT Dr. Russo We need to relax and forget about life for a little while and going to a concert is good for what ails us I think. You're the Doctor though. I know you agree. I still can take a mental break just thinking about seeing Neil Young in June. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Ethan Russo MD on July 23, 2003 at 13:30:50 PT: Time to Weigh In I was very fortunate to see the Stones last November in Tacoma. They are truly incredible. Tickets were $300 apiece, but they made an awful lot of people happy. It was probably the best anniversary present I've ever managed for my wife.If you have any chance to go to this concert you should do it. We all deserve a little enjoyment. Anyone who calls this useless hedonism merely does not know how to enjoy life, and is worthy of scorn and boredom. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on July 23, 2003 at 13:07:10 PT afterburner That is really good news! [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by afterburner on July 23, 2003 at 12:14:58 PT: Wednesday's Stones Page - Let the Party Begin! Stones rules eased: Now we're rocking Jul. 23, 2003. 06:14 AM"Fun and surprises. Secret parking spots. The scent of marijuana. Next week's Rolling Stones event — which looked last week as if it would be no-fun, on-your-feet-day-and-night and obey-the-rules drudgery — seems to be turning into what it was supposed to be: a rock concert. Kevin McGran reports." [Full Story] http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1058911810634&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154 [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on July 22, 2003 at 20:20:57 PT afterburner I am happy that you have this great event happening in only a week practically. I'd say take pictures but you can't I know. I hope you have a really good time. It is a once in a lifetime happening. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by afterburner on July 22, 2003 at 20:11:10 PT: If Anybody Needs Parking for the Stones Concert: Here is the telephone number: 1-877-365-7090. The parking cost is $25 Canadian. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by afterburner on July 22, 2003 at 09:07:15 PT: Tuesday's Stones Update Rolling Stones Concert http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Render&c=Page&cid=1058350777607 [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on July 21, 2003 at 18:58:30 PT Here's a Few More Songs I Like Angie Brown Sugar Jumpin' Jack Flash Wild Horses You Can't Always Get What You Want [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on July 21, 2003 at 18:25:55 PT afterburner Satisfaction! is my choice! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by afterburner on July 21, 2003 at 18:07:27 PT: Monday's Stones Update What songs should the Stones play for Toronto? Vote for the 10 songs you most want to hear when Mick and the gang play Downsview Park on July 30th. We'll compile everyone's top 10, tally them and publish Toronto's dream set list. Click here to make your choices: http://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/star_static.cgi?section=news&page=/Forms/speak_out/030721_stoneslist.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on July 20, 2003 at 14:02:53 PT Related Article from The Toronto Star Will Rolling Stones Save Us or Send Us to Hell?http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1058612469883&call_pageid=968867495754&col=969483191630 [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 20, 2003 at 13:59:08 PT Off Topic But Not Really The U.S. is involved in the Stones Concert. We must be everywhere! Clear Channel did Neil Young but Neil Young publically at the concert put them down! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment