Van Halen, Seal, Billy Corgan Support Live Nation Ticket Merger

Unlike Bruce Springsteen, music stars Eddie Van Halen, Seal and Billy Corgan are in favor of the merger between Ticket Master and Live Nation. It might come as a surprise, but the artists actually sent letters to Congress expressing their support of the deal, and their belief that the merger can help the artist-to-fan relationship.

It all makes since though, because each of the artists is managed or co-managed by Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff and his company Front Line Management, making their fervent support much less credible. Of course, the connection isn’t mentioned in any of the letters, instead writing about  their careers and the future of the music industry. Billy Corgan says in his letter:

“The combination of these companies creates powerful tools for an independent artist to reach their fans in new and unprecedented ways, all the while restoring the power where it belongs. In short, we have a broken system. This is a new model that puts power into the hands of the artist, creating a dynamic synergy that will inspire great works and attract healthy competition. The proposed merger you have before you helps create those opportunities by boldly addressing the complexity of the existing musical and economic landscapes.”

The letters from Eddie Van Halen and Seal follow along similar lines, also without mentioning the Azoff connection.

Beatcrave recently reported on the dangers of the Ticketmaster Live Nation merger, with rising concert ticket prices and monopolistic practices being the main concern. So, Mr. Corgan, how is your boss planning on “boldly addressing” how much you get paid for your outspokeness?

Dynamic synergy? Healthy competition? Is looks as though other interests are at work here, and the big question is, how long will it be before we can’t afford to buy concert tickets?

Source: Hypebot