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Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2006 is hot holiday tradition
from: mysanantonio.com
by Hector Saldaña, Express-News Staff Writer
"Back by popular demand" just doesn't convey the appeal of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a Christmastime spectacle that combines Pink Floyd and Kiss largesse, the Who's bombast and Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" sentimentality.
This year, Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2006's two shows at AT&T Center on Saturday will attract more than 20,000 people.
That's a lot of yuletide cheer, limited only by the logistical requirements of staging a new, pyrotechnics-heavy show with great sight lines. Promoters know they have a real winner.
"We're going to do close to, or maybe even over, a million tickets (sales) in 71/2 weeks (of touring)," said Paul O'Neill, founder/producer/composer and lyricist, about the tour.
Fans can expect "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" in its entirety as the first part of the rock opera, followed by new songs from the much-anticipated album, "Night Castle" and traditional carols a la rock.
"We're taking our cue from the Who," O'Neill said. "They toured 'Tommy' for years as a rock opera, and the second half of the show would be other songs."
Accommodating demand with matinee shows in many cities means no one is stuck with bad seats behind the stage.
"Most rock musicians would rather cut off their right arms than get up before two in the afternoon," O'Neill said. "But this way everybody has great seats. All seats are first-class. There is no coach. It is a little bit grueling, but it's worth it."
Last year, Trans-Siberian Orchestra winter concerts grossed nearly $24 million nationally, according to Billboard. That tops Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam and Gwen Stefani. (Editor's note: During winter months, TSO splits into two touring acts.)
Saturday, a local, seven-piece string section augments TSO's 15 musicians and singers.
"We put so much into the show that the more you see it, the more there is to be seen," O'Neill said. "We always try to give the fans more."
Promoter Jack Orbin at Stone City Attractions first brought Trans-Siberian Orchestra to San Antonio in 2001. "We sold out the Municipal (Auditorium), and it's just built from there," Orbin said. They've been back every year since. More than 12,000 people caught TSO's San Antonio appearance last year.
"The demand is just that high," Orbin said.
It's a holiday tradition "that has gotten bigger than we ever could have imagined," O'Neill added. "It's just stupid numbers."
In some cities (unfortunately, not slated for S.A.), invited rock star guests have joined TSO onstage. At Madison Square Garden, JOAN JETT came up, unannounced, with the giant rock ensemble to sing "I Love Rock N' Roll."
"The place went nuts, so I started flashing back to my youth," O'Neill said. In Cleveland, Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople came up to sing "All the Young Dudes." In Sacramento and Philadelphia, Jon Anderson of Yes showed up to sing "Roundabout."
"The place went bananas," O'Neill said. He described the chant that went up once the audience realized it was Anderson: "No (expletive) way, no (expletive) way."
TSO fans are clamoring for new product, too.
"Night Castle" and its special packaging by artist Greg Hildebrandt ("Lord of the Rings" calendars and "Star Wars" posters) are much delayed, and O'Neill acknowledged that fans and Atlantic Records executives are getting restless.
"The album is two years overdue at this point," O'Neill said. "But we just want this album just to be so perfect."
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