The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, taking place Thursday at the Barclays Center, is supposed to be the premier affair on the annual rock ’n’ roll calendar. But this year, the event is proving as popular as Gwyneth Paltrow at a Mommy and Me class.
It’s usually a tough ticket. As of press time, and days after announcing special guests including Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, Michael Stipe and more, almost a quarter of the approximately 11,000 available tickets can be bought on the resale site StubHub for as little as $29, with hundreds available for less than $100.
Blame the apathy on the fact that several of the inductees aren’t performing: KISS are feuding; Linda Ronstadt can no longer sing because of complications related to Parkinson’s disesase; and there’s no partial Nirvana reunion or tribute scheduled.
“I heard from people all over the world who were willing to pay any price to see Gene, Paul, Peter and Ace, even if it was for one song,” says Eddie Trunk, co-host of VH1’s “That Metal Show” of the desire to see KISS unite.
Adds Neil Walls, creator of Future Rock Legends, a Web site devoted to the Hall, “Without something . . . like a partial Nirvana reunion, there’s nothing for people to get excited about.”