S.I. likely to miss top rock stars

Press, 6 August 1987, Page 5

S.I. likely to miss top rock stars

By

NEVIN TOPP

The thriller rock concerts in New Zealand this year — Michael Jackson versus the Spider from Mars — are unlikely to be seen in the South Island, according to the promoters organising the tours.

The Spider, better known as David Bowie, and the reclusive American pop star, Michael Jackson, are both booked to tour New Zealand in December, but the North Island only. Tickets will likely cost about $36 for each artist.

Mr Benny Levin, promoter for Michael Jack-

son’s New Zealand shows at Wellington on December 2, and Auckland on December 6, said that the rock star’s chances of playing in the South Island were “zilch.” The tour would be the biggest he had handled in New Zealand. It would take 10 trucks to carry all the sound, lighting, stage, and crew equipment, he said.

Michael Jackson’s entourage from the United States totalled 80 people, 45 in the crew alone. On top of that there would be Australians and New Zealanders involved in the show.

"Normally, it takes two days at the outside to set up the stage for these outdoor concerts. In this case it would take four days,” Mr Levin said.

It could be the battle of the promoters in Auckland.

Mr Hugh Lynn, New Zealand agent for Paul Dainty Corporation, which is promoting Bowie’s Glass Spider tour, said that a decision had yet to be made on whether a second Bowie concert would be held in Auckland on December 6; the day Jackson is supposed to play the same venue.

If Bowie’s December 5 Western Springs Stadium show proceeds, then there will not be enough time for the Jackson stage to be set up — based on Mr Levin’s time scale.

No date had yet been confirmed for Bowie’s Wellington concert although three dates have been pencilled in.

The chances of Bowie coming to the South Island were not great said Mr Lynn.

“We would look at bringing him down if we could do the business.”

Tickets go on sale for the Jackson shows on Monday.' '