House of Blues donate $75,000 to benefit Columbine

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Nov 27, 2099 Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News, November 26, 1999 Submitted By: Kim A Kelly Backstreet Boys angry at scalping Group donates $75,000 to benefit Columbine The Backstreet Boys want everyone to know they don't care who you are, where you're from, what you did--as long as you buy their tickets at face value. The pop group discovered after its Oct. 31 Pepsi Center contest that scalpers had sold 1,200 tickets, each with a $38.50 face value, for $110 apiece. In the wake of the discovery, group members asked show promoter House of Blues to donate $75,000 to the Columbine College Fund. The fund was established to help Columbine students affected by the April 20 tragedy obtain college scholarships. Money also will be available to the siblings of the students who died. Tickets for the sold-out Sears Presents the Backstreet Boys Into the Millennium Tour are $28.50 and $38.50 apiece. The group tries to keep prices low so concert attendees can buy Backstreet Boys merchandise, pay for parking and not leave with empty pockets, according to a news release. "We've done everything we can to prevent scalping, from limiting the number of tickets purchased to distributing wristbands," according to a statement by the group. "To think scalping of this type occurred at our Denver show infuriated us. With us, the fans always come first and anything that compromises our connection with them will always be addressed and properly investigated. We were horrified to learn that our fans in Denver were manipulated and ripped off this way." The Orlando band is best know for hits As Long as You Love Me, Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) and I'll Never Break Your Heart. Related articles: Tour Accountants Raise New Allegations In Backstreet Boys Ticket Controversy Dec 5 99 (12k) Concert giant sold brokers prime seats Dec 5 99 (15k) Best seats not available to average customers Dec 5 99 (17k) How House of Blues used special sales to pump up revenue Dec 5 99 (6k) Music-industry insiders: State should outlaw scalping Dec 5 99 (6k) Backstreet Boys, House Of Blues Concerts Square Off... Nov 30 99 (8k) Backstreet Boys "Horrified" At Ticket Scalping In Denver Nov 23 99 (5k) Comment on this item. Next Item: Top 10 North American Concert Grosses (through Nov 16, '99) Prev Item: Backstreet Homeboy Basks In Glow