Paul McCartney's Tour Postponement Has Ripple Effect Through Industry
Paul McCartney's postponed Out There tour dates left thousands of disappointed fans and promoters scrambling to adjust their schedules. And while the long-term costs of his recent viral infection are likely to be minimal, show delays and cancellations can become rife with complications.
McCartney had to pay perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars for the musicians, crew, trucks and buses he hired to set up the shows originally planned for June, concert-business sources say, but he also likely had insurance in case of cancellation. "It would be a huge catastrophe if Paul couldn't tour again, ever," says Doc McGhee, manager of Kiss, Darius Rucker and others. "But a postponement is just an inconvenience. I've seen people cancel shows that are sold out and come back later and do 50 percent [of the] business — I would doubt that would happen to a Beatle." Although McCartney, 71, had to postpone all of his June shows in the U.S. to new dates in October, he said in a statement this week that he's "feeling great," and all accounts suggest the virus he contracted in Asia last month is a minor health issue. "I'm sorry, but it's going to be a few more weeks before we get rocking in America again," McCartney continued, adding that he was "taking my docs' advice to take it easy for just a few more days." His rescheduled U.S. tour of stadiums and arenas will begin July 5th in Albany, New York, and conclude October 28th in Louisville, Kentucky. (McCartney's reps wouldn't comment further, and his promoters didn't respond to interview requests.)
Listen to the Audio Version of this News Story 
Source: Rolling Stone
