Rock’s Biggest Cheaters Caught Red Handed Using Backing Tracks! “Everybody’s Doing It”

[@jasonladd6400]

These old faking it acts are the antithesis of what rock should be about but they get away with it.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I’m hoping for not much longer Jason! People are reading this brother! John Fogerty has been by the channel, and Klaatu’s drummer Terry Draper has been by as well! Kenny Loggins vocal coach has even checked in, so the industry IS paying attention! Thanx Jason!❤❤❤

[@garygraham8373]

what if the audience experience is significantly improved with the inclusion of sampling or preprogrammed synth sequences?, wouldn't elo's 'telephone line' have seemed wanting without the ringing tone?, are you the arbiter of what percentage of a performance can be prearranged?, is every performance subject to your feudal limitations?, asking for a friend

[@stevenuttley]

@@garygraham8373 and what if the alternative is having a live 15 piece orchestra on stage with the band? Would people really be prepared to pay double or treble current ticket prices to hear those tracks? It's clear to most listeners that an awful lot of rock music can't be recreated live on stage with just guitar, bass and drums. I don't profess to know the answer but it's a more complicated question than some are claiming.

[@docsavage8640]

If your song isn't strong enough to survive being stripped down for concert performances, it was never a very good song at all.

[@216trixie]

@@garygraham8373 what if a telephone ringing was pre-recorded? I don't think anyone would have a problem with that. How about a keyboard part? Let's hire a keyboard player and keep it real.

[@runnerandgunner7954]

I saw Billy Joel in the late '80s/early '90s. In the song "An Innocent Man," Billy had another vocalist nearby to hit the high note when he sang "I ammmmmmmmm an innocent man!!" I and the rest of the crowd were totally okay with it. The guy was standing in plain view, Billy introduced the guy, thanked him for hitting the high note for him, and joked to the crowd that since he was getting older, he couldn't hit that note anymore. And, that was the dude's only contribution to the concert. Billy was not trying to fool anyone and the crowd appreciated it.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Good example of being up front with the audiance R&G! I just like it when someone like Robert Plant who has learned to coax even more sometimes as his voice has aged. The result is us getting even newer and interesting renditions of his stuff! Thanx!❤❤❤

[@mondoseguendo6113]

@user-pg4jw2qd3hyour comment is bs. It is “it’s” not “its.” You just gave up on grammar. Try harder next time 😂

[@mooch514]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine michael ! Oh please! Robert plant could croak like a frog on stage while sitting in a lawn chair and you would eat it up!

[@burgermind802]

@Roger McMillan so many singers have lost their high range due to damage. Get real.

[@docsavage8640]

That's the honest way

[@April-pw5ub]

My first concert ever was Elvis at MSG in 1972. No gimmicks,just a legend.

[@l.salisbury1253]

Whoa! You saw Elvis Costello in 1972!

[@bid84]

Elvis was without doubt the finest Karaoke singers of all time

[@stormbringercoming8105]

@@l.salisbury1253 Bastard! You stole my line!

[@russellbarnes7728]

Saw him at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, in 76. Great show! (Elvis Presley)

[@MAGAMANPATRIOT]

No need for gimmicks with Elvis's band was badass especially with the great James Burton playing guitar. I still watch him like a hawk to steal some of his licks..

[@abexartgallery4401]

Jerry Garcia forgot lyrics in concerts all the time, and the audience cheered, they loved it. He was human

[@jamesnarlesky4622]

Jerry Garcia and or the Dead never faked it! Some shows were better than others and some were unbelievable!

[@lorrieoiler1878]

I have seen Paul McCartney live several times, and when he happens to forget lyrics or get them wrong, he will literally stop the song, admit he had messed up, and start over again. That brought such an authenticity to the live performance and to Paul himself. In the 90s the same thing happened to him during his MTV Unplugged performance - such a real moment! True live performances - mistakes and all - create such an intimacy, even in a huge stadium.

[@Wizzz28]

The Who's lead singer Roger Daltrey fluffs up lyrics as well. Often he sings the last verse first - when he realises we are not singing along, he works out his mistake & signs the right lyrics.

[@johnmann726]

I was at that ELO show at the Silverdome, they were promoting their Out Of The Blue album. They were upfront with their backing tracks, they didn't hide the fact they could not reproduce an orchestra with four musicians. Neil Young has done it along with Jethro Tull. I never felt I was being scammed, but when I saw Sheryl Crow lip synching during a concert I was devastated. I guess I expected the artist to actually sing. I must be "old school" too.

[@flazjsg]

I think Jeff claimed it was too tough to mic the violins/viola live in those giant stadiums. Either way, I'm not a fan of the tracks. I loved ELO up to "Out of the Blue."

[@debjorgo]

@@flazjsg A double album, way too pop. It did have Turn to Stone on it though.

[@JSomerled]

Jeff also said he didn’t get paid enough to hire the musicians needed to put on a live show at that time,but the show had to go on.

[@Xirque666]

I agree, There's a huge difference between Trax and playback (both with and without lipsync) as long as what you see on stage is live, then they actually do perform live, even though that ambient sounds or strings are trax.

[@JSomerled]

@@Xirque666 exactly

[@tommyapocalypse6096]

There is a difference between being a "classic rock act" and a CLASS act...

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Oh I so agree Tommy!❤

[@michaelodonnell8209]

Motley Crue is neither.

[@joeyh9619]

Sickening that they are doing this and ruining their legacies ! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWTKlnaLgrWUsM0

[@heavi-armed-infadel]

I've been a working musician for 30 years, your take is spot on. Big part of why Rush was so highly respected, high degree of difficulty, au naturel

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I agree Empathic! Ive been a musician since 1969, and the same goes for me!❤❤❤

[@waltjames407]

Nope. Rush used backing tracks at least since about 1986. That's why you hear Geddy's voice with Alex at the mike when there are backup vocals. Sequenced synths since 1982, the guitar feedback on "Stick it Out" when played live is a backing track. I'm sure there are more examples. I can't remember the songs, but there are rhythm guitar backing tracks to some tunes as well. Queen used backing tracks as far back as the mid 70's. Baba O'Reilly, Won't Get Fooled Again, Who Are You all have sequenced synths. I find this rant to be a little hyperbolic. He's acting like this is new. It's not. Not by a long shot.

[@jameslane9537]

@@waltjames407 don't forget about Neil Peart triggering samples with electronic drums.

[@Stosh68]

@@waltjames407 No kidding, nobody thought Amiee Mann was there for every performance of Time Stand Still. There's a difference between Rush triggering sequencers and them not playing their instruments. Not for once second does anybody believe that Geddy, Alex and Neil weren't 100% playing their instruments. Difference here is that Rush enjoyed being musicians and playing their songs while a lot of these classic bands are just touring because they need money.

[@boogiewoogit5597]

Amen

[@carlsalazar4490]

I stopped going to concerts many years ago. I’m glad I was able to go to concerts in the seventies. I saw so many great bands in their prime. I still remember many of those concerts in great detail.

[@Ran-b1r]

Yep, like Peter Frampton's Bob Mayo who lugged 7 keyboards, cords going everywhere ,,,,, it was great and live!

[@sharkswimmer7114]

True story - I was offered a spot to play guitar in a band with a major recording contract who produced top ten hits. I turned them down because I was checking out their live show and caught them using recorded backing tracks for their vocals. I politely turned them down. I had a cool band already that the real deal, so I just couldn't handle the thought of quitting a cool hard working band to end up lip syncing every night just for the fame and money. Only problem is I am still a starving musician 30 years later. But life's been good and I sleep with a clear conscience.

[@anotheryoutubed]

You're kidding yourself if you think you'd have a dirty conscience for doin ga year or two with that band. FFS.

[@fredgibsonabe]

Michael, you hit it right on the head! Live music needs to be live! No backing tracks or prerecorded music or vocals in their performances! We demand better of our bands!

[@garymartin1045]

I was at that show at the Silverdome I could tell right away that was lip-syncing I told my friends that they said I was crazy but they started listening and it said what does sound like the record my brother played in a country band what Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis so I know what real music sounds like after the show and all this found out the controversy that I it was true saw them saw them early seventies at the Michigan Palace Saul see them twice second time and it was fake

[@garymartin1045]

Yeah you need to go see Greta Van Fleet do the real deal real instruments I seen all these fakes all these other bands even the Beatles did this most of them were created in the studios you don't believe me go listen to Beatles first concert at the Live Hollywood Bowl awful

[@stephenlandry9343]

Absolutely right! I pay for live music, I want live music. If I wanted to hear the album I can do that at home. It's a rip off of the fans period.👍✌️🙂

[@johnc.8298]

Zeppelin played live as did Rush. When I saw Rush, Lee played Taurus foot pedals to add some strings/orchestration which is still live."keyboards". I saw Saga many years ago and one of the back up vocalists was the on stage monitor mix guy on stage in plain sight next to the singer/keyboard player. None of these bands were "frauds" hiding what they're doing.

[@robertfmorton]

Totally agree, Michael. Live performances benefit from the fact that there are DIFFERENCES from the records. If I want that recorded perfection, I'll stay home with my music. Sometimes, even the artists' mistakes can be a plus. If you listen to the WONDERFUL Joni Mitchell's 'Miles Of Ailes' live album, you'll hear her make a right clanger on one song by coming in off key! True artist that she is, she self depreciatingly acknowledges the gaff and then wades in with her usual perfection. And you know what!? We all love her even more. I saw Neil Young once when he kicked off, 'Like a Hurricane' ON A CHURCH ORGAN!! Brilliant. Give me live difference anyway.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Theres the word I’m looking for Rob! Differences! Perfect! Often it’s mistakes that even become endearing!❤❤❤

[@richardmorgan1588]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Like the original version of Crimson and Clover! I hate the "corrected" version on CD! In my mind, it's SUPPOSED to drop in pitch there!

[@MatrixGuitar]

I believe it’s “The Circle Game” where she hits a few sour notes, then laughs it off and keeps going. It’s still perfect.

[@Denozo88]

I want you to want me is the ultimate example of the live version being different and I would argue us 100% better.

[@rexwave4624]

When I first saw my favourite band, The Warning, play live, I wondered if the bass player was just miming to tracks because everything she played was perfect. Then she made a mistake halfway through the show, fretting a note a half-step up and correcting for the next note. Yay! The Warning does use backing tracks for the extra content that a three-piece band can't play and I don't mind a bit. The vocals and instruments in front of me are all real.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

Society's been sliding in this direction for a while. Obviously fake "reality" tv shows get outrageous ratings and I've been in very heated discussions many times with people regarding the obviously scripted and edited content of these shows. So it stands to reason that this blind acceptance of fakeness would drift over to music shows. People are willing to pay high prices and not complain about lip synching so artists do it. Truth be told, I personally think people go to live shows for nothing more than bragging rights, music be damned. It's interesting hearing you mention ELO. I saw them in 1978 and didn't know better. I DID see them again at Wembley circa 1981(?), doing the "Time" album. I was very angry afterwards because of the obvious shenanigans going on with vocals and backing music obviously not being done onstage. My companions couldn't grasp my explanations. They were clueless. I'd love to see us go back to the innocent times, I don't see that happening. People can't find their own town on a map. Thanks for another great analysis.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

So, so (sadly) true. What's even sadder is that so-called reality shows have been going on for close to 30 years now. I'll raise the bet: we began replacing reality, authenticity way earlier with food & drink: it has the FLAVOUR of (whatever), it sort of, kind of tastes like... unless you have tasted real [insert fruit or whatever], and it tastes barely like the artificially flavoured drink or food. And children raised on those, began having no clue about REAL stuff, and preferring fake products over a genuine onion, strawberry, piece of pork, etc. just like now they are so accustomed to auto-tuned vocals, that if they want to sing, they begin singing in that dreadful, metallic way, because that's pretty much all they've heard. Lots of reasons took us here, including the obsession of some 'fans' who want to hear carbon copies (that tells my age) of recordings at concerts. What's the point? Stay home and listen to album - you'll save time & money, and never be let down ;) Then again, the fact that most small bands are primarily cover and tribute bands tells a lot about the lack of hunger for 'originality' (or at least something different) in our present society. If people love this, and do not know better, anyone can get away with it, and make money out of it. Go see artists who take a risk, who give a different spin every night, who mess up, who improvise, who play for fun & passion, and provide a live performance together with the audience, not a copy.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Nicely put William! Music, like art in general should breathe! It should LIVE!❤❤❤

[@tubefrog1762]

For what it's worth, Jeff Lynne's ELO touring from 2014-2019 was all live and created with the help of 12 members of the updated ELO.

[@tubefrog1762]

I will be seeing two of my favorite bands in concert this week, Toto and then Muse, whom are genuine and live and two of the best to see live in general. Musicianship, great songs and stage presence.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

@@tubefrog1762 There are no Porcaros, Paich isn't with them, it's not ToTo. It's Steve Lukather and some session musicians going out and playing ToTo music. Another fake band.

[@Bootradr]

On the topic of that "everybody else is doing it" ideology, didn't their parents ever teach them "if your friend jumped off a bridge does that mean you should" way of thinking? There is no excuse for backing tracks. You either cancel the show or get a singer or musician who can play it! If I wanted to hear a recording of how it's supposed to sound I would listen to the album. If an artist can't perform the song on their own live, then I don't want to see them. This country used to stand together against things and I wished it was still that mentality with topics like this. I'm with you and I think people should cancel buying tickets and let it be known why when it comes to the shows for these artists faking it. Brian in Fort Worth🎶

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

LOL Boo! The good old Lemmings in shinny metal boxes routine eh? Love it!!!❤❤❤

[@scottcharney1091]

That depends on the height of the bridge.

[@Bootradr]

@@scottcharney1091 Haha good point. Reminds me of when I used to climb with friends up the 300 ft microwave tower ladder. I still think I must have been crazy back then but back then it was just adventurous :-)

[@CamiloVelandia]

As a hired gun for a bunch of label acts, I think it's fair to share why artists would use backing tracks. The most common reason, the instrumentation on the album recordings is bigger than the man-power on stage during a tour. Maybe some of these bands can't always afford to carry an orchestra, or 10 background singers, or 4 keyboard players, so those tracks will be added as stems on what is called the "playback". In this case, the band isn't necessarily lip-syncing or faking those parts, just means the band is playing live, and those stems add to the sound of the already live band to deliver the sound of the recording the fans love. The other reason for using tracks, which may be more of what you're referring to, is when artists can't perform what is on the record, so they will fake it while it is pre-recorded. Many of these acts, specially some of our favorite classic rock bands, are not in the same physical or vocal shape as they were 20-30 years ago. They can't sing in the same key, or maybe can't keep up with the physical beat down of touring and performing these shows on a regular basis, so they'll playback to pre-recorded stuff to make it more bearable. Another flat out reason, is some singers just can't sing anymore because of decades of too much rock n' roll. We sure have seen videos of a couple of those going around. I'm not making excuses for anyone, just explaining what I've seen from behind the curtain. Personally, I don't mind when a band is playing live, and uses additional tracks to enhance the show. However, I don't like when bands are NOT playing live, and the whole show is pre-recorded. Great topic, Michael!

[@catsofsherman1316]

I understand your point there about trying to recreate a big studio production with many fewer musicians and singers. A point Michael was making and I will expand on slightly is that we don't need or want a live show to reproduce the sound of the record. When you play to pre-recorded tracks you are locked into a click track tempo. When you saw Zeppelin or the Stones or whoever back in the day there was a certain danger and mystery. The music could push and pull organically and you might hear something unique that no one else outside of that audience ever experienced. The modern show with it's technical precision and choreographed lighting etc has lost that wild spirit of spontaneity and improvisation. I would rather hear a band strip the songs down and play like a real band. Jimmy Page would condense multiple guitar parts into one for the stage. I don't think anyone was complaining that they didn't sound like the records on stage.

[@CamiloVelandia]

@@catsofsherman1316 in my own personal opinion, I totally agree with you!!

[@mikehunt5542]

​@@catsofsherman1316 good your "organic improvisation) sounds like mindless noodling me. Last thing I want to see is Jimmy Paige's sloppy blues noodles when I go to a concert.

[@johnc.8298]

I saw a YT video of "Nazareth" recently. I recall playing "Love hurts" back in the seventy's and it was in the key of G. McCafferty was a high pitch singer. He can't hit those notes anymore so they lowered the key to a range he could. That's fair, it's not cheating unlike the "Karaoke" backing tracks. Live is live and recorded tracks are recorded tracks. If I merely want to listen to tracks I'll play the CD.

[@bélalugrisi]

"I want to hear mistakes, that means you're pushing the boundaries, and risks are being run." - Bill Bruford [paraphrased]

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

And by my favorite YES drummer Bela! Thanx!❤❤❤

[@bélalugrisi]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Appreciate you, Michael!

[@4ak458]

Agree. Totally

[@briana_patrick]

"Motley Crap" 😂😂

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

😉😉❤

[@acesimmons7639]

If you want backing tracks then stay home, put on the album and crack open a cold one. If you want to watch a live show then expect and accept possible screw ups from the band. That’s what makes live concerts such a unique experience.

[@frankferriolo9212]

Lip syncing is not allowed as far as I'm concerned. And the same goes for "using tracks". No! Its unacceptable! Especially for rock bands. Its cheating and its cheesy. I dont care what excuse they use. Its unacceptable.

[@FromGregaWithLove]

Using backing tracks has for years been the modus operandi of the greediest man in rock and roll, Roger Waters. Not only does Roger lip synch most of his shows, but he also has the nerve to hit is audience over the head with politics while he's cheating them out of money.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Oh Amen to that Greta! But then again Induction Centers often employ the latest technology to brainwash new recruits! The nimrod!❤❤❤

[@mooch514]

Roger waters has been the angry miserable soul playing the same crap for 40 years

[@ericcleesak8074]

NO GILMOUR - NO FLOYD

[@orlock20]

Luciano Pavarotti once had a bum note and people booed. It even made the TV news in the 1980s. He was later accused of lip syncing while selling $1,000 tickets, again, in the 1980s.

[@mooch514]

@@orlock20 are you on crack?

[@webman1956]

I saw a Mark Farner show last year and it was awesome! They guy can still belt it out vocally, and the band and his guitar playing was top notch.

[@mojo4376]

I saw him too. That guy rocks!

[@jonnysmokesmusic]

There is a big difference between using sequencer tracks to supplement some sound effects and the occasional keyboard line, versus actually using full studio recording tracks to play what musicians on stage are faking it over. In the pro audio world I am seeing more and more bands heavily relying on pre recorded tracks because they just don’t know how to sing and play.

[@joeydego2]

Find me a keyboard player who isnt an asshole that’ll play or a fair amount of money and I’d consider it. Until then, onsong track never misses a note, never shows up late and is always perfect.

[@neilsherer5230]

So many illiterate people and apparently you're one of them.

[@between2guitars331]

Guys, its ENTERTAINMENT. There is NO cheating! If the show is entertaining and people leave the show happy, who cares? Btw, automatic transmissions are cheating! You can’t work a stick? You don’t deserve to drive!

[@bernrudolph2422]

Geddy Lee needed a teleprompter, a huge number of songs in a 3 hour show.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

David Gilmour doesn't use one nor in ear monitors. He had the lyrics memorized within days of rehearsals but uses a notebook with Shine On You Crazy Diamond's lyrics as he gets choked up singing about Syd.

[@timothyvaughn8311]

Kiss has been on their final tour for 23 years now, I love them, but, I'm a purists, no Ace, no Peter, no Kiss

[@youtoo2233]

So true, same with Led, no John Bonham, no Zeppelin, his son Jason is still not LZ no matter how many reunions they've ever done

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

@@youtoo2233 Robert Plant doesn't really have interest currently in a Zeppelin reunion anyways. Isnt he touring with Allison Krauss? Seems he'd rather be touring with other acts

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

LOL! And the way they are going they will be at it for another 23 Timothy! And your right! No Peter, No Ace No KISS! Amen!❤❤❤

[@timothyvaughn8311]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Amen brother and love the show, keep it up, I never miss a episode

[@markfox8947]

Someone had to say theses things..thank you, Michael for having the stones to call it. The audiences of today seem uninterested in music integrity or holding artist to account.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You know Mark, I think it’s starting to fly in these artists faces! And deservingly so IMO!😉👌❤

[@markfox8947]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine I’m certainly in agreement, brother. I’m hoping the pendulum is swinging back to proud live performances full of imperfections. I was at the best live show of my life in SF when the imperfect ‘Frampton Comes Alive’ was recorded…give me real is all ask ! 😇❤️✌️

[@videogemsproductions]

I’ve seen The Monkees live in recent years and they are awesome and never cheat…..much better than the so called “real” bands!

[@debjorgo]

Didn't they have about 20 people on stage with them?

[@videogemsproductions]

@@debjorgo are you being sarcastic? Do research before you talk. They never claimed to be a band, they became the band they were on tv and did a fantastic job at. Mike was a great songwriter, Peter a great multi instrumentalist and Micky and Davy had two of the best vocalists in pop history. All very talented coming out of an innovative comedy group. The Beatles befriended them and have high respect and like them. When you get that kind of backing you know you are legitimately talented. At some point in every show they perform songs by just them and not that they need or have to….just a cool thing. Doing Research on anything always clears up any ignorance on a any topic or subject. :)

[@debjorgo]

@@videogemsproductions I just asked a question. I know who the Monkees are and what their history is. I have quite a bit of their music, including the box sets for their first two albums. I think on the last tour, it was just Mike and Micky. I hope they had people on stage with them. I know they've always had people on stage playing with them, including some of their children. Not sarcastic, conversational. Eat some chili.

[@videogemsproductions]

@@debjorgo my apologies…jaded by a lot of people who get sarcastic on the topic of the Monkees lol. Yes, a great backing band as I saw Peter, Micky and Davy in 2011, Peter Mike and Micky in 2014 , Peter and Micky in 2016 and Mike and Micky in 2019. Hoping to see Micky in April here in Niagara Falls Canada !

[@boomerrocksUSA]

teleprompter? Nope. backing tracks for extra instruments like keys or horns/strings? Nope. Backing tracks for extra backing vocals? Nope. But backing tracks for main instruments or lead vocals? Absolutely.

[@richardmorgan1588]

Wow! I feel your passion man! You are NOT off base. I appreciate the energy you bring to the discussion!

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Thanx Rachel! Music is the first love of my life, and I hate what some of the current artists have to offer!😉👌❤

[@TeleNikon]

Having backup singers backstage to hit your high notes when you can't is a long time practice. One of my friends did this decades and decades ago for the Belmonts (Dion & The...) When I bauked, my friend's response was "The show must go on and those guys can't hit those notes anymore.". I suppose there's an element of showbusiness in the the whole idea of doing-whatever-it-takes-to-put-on-the-show. But you're right, Michael - at big ticket rock shows there's a certain expectation of authenticity, sincerity and truth. This is what we found so compelling in the music in the first place. Anyhow, Bottom Line: I second the emotion: if you can't pull it off for real, time to stay home. Do NOT charge me to fake me out. Unless you're The Belmonts or The Coasters which is a much less costly ticket and a cool chance to catch a final remining member of a beloved act in a smaller venue. But this crap with with Foreigner and Kiss is so foreign to me they can Kiss my a$$! Great video bro.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

The show must also eventually end too T! Those guys who say that are usually pulling a percentage!😉❤👌

[@Zebra_3]

my father said the same thing about KISS back in the 70s when they actually performed live.

[@oldudejones4367]

I recently saw Kings X perform live. Bass , drums,guitar, and vocals. They’ve been touring and playing live for over 40 years! Do they sound the exact same as they did in 1992? No. But they were in their 30’s. Lead singer is now 72!!! They were amazing. Songs in a lower key maybe but TRUE KILLER musicians stand the test of time. You simply have to know when to quit. And that’s the tricky part I guess.

[@deaconblue5211]

Don't forget the female superstars who have made a career out of lip synching. Beyonce, Madonna, Janet Jackson, and a whole host of others. If you see someone dancing up a storm in lock step with their 40 back up dancers on stage, they aren't singing. It's an impossibility to do both. Interestingly enough, there has been a big drop off in backup dancers on the stage lately. All the fakers got called out on this bullshit.

[@Stan-zj8hg]

In 1975 I went to the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago to see KGB and when they came out no Michael Bloomfield! When we screamed where’s Michael the singer said I am Bloomfield and bottle’s of Old Style beer 🍺 started flying at the stage concert over!! People hate being tricked after paying for A concert!😂

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

And a well deserved Beer-berating if you ask me Stan! Great example!❤❤❤

[@kencraig7308]

Who would be upset about a drug addled silver spoon trust fund baby not showing up for a show ? If people only knew, similar to David Crosby.

[@andymullarx6365]

Why it was also known as the Aragon Brawlroom. I heard from somebody back then about the British band The Babies featuring John Waite who were on the stage as the opener for Molly Hatchett and The Babies didn't make it through their set. John Waite flipped the bird and walked off and I think he was probably drenched with beer before he got off stage. What a joint that was back then.

[@michaeljozwiak25]

One of my favorite music sets was a set of imperfections. A local band, Bad Candy, jumped on a peripheral stage at a local festival. However, the festival engineer behind the monitor disappeared and never came back. The lead singer waited for a minute, then went to the monitor and messed with it for a minute. He jumped on stage and the band started even though one of the guitarists did not have his guitar tuned. In the middle of the first song, the guitarist was in tune. The lead singer apologized for the missing Disc Jockey in their band. The DJ spent the night in jail. Before the other guitarist on the other side of the stage was finishing tuning his guitar after the first song, the band starts up the second song. The second guitarist joined in the middle of the song. Towards the end of the set, the Disc Jockey arrived and joined in the concert. It ended up being an enjoyable set by this 1990s-style alternative and funk-rock band.

[@derekhenderson1730]

You're so right about what people now deem as "Live" !. People getting ripped off, when all they are doing is attending what amounts to no more than a celebrity Karaoke.

[@souljourney60]

$4000 for front row seats for Motley Crue for back tracks and lip syncing. If these bands were changing reasonable prices and people know going in the performances are not real - then go for it because people know up front what they are paying for, but if you adamantly deny the back tacks and lip syncing while we can all see otherwise - you loose people's respect. To watch Nikki Sixx at 64 prance around on stage faking his performance, and Vince Neil gasping for air between notes, and mumbling the words is so sad. Go out as legends instead of laughing stocks.

[@gregtapevideo1464]

When I go to a concert I dont expect to hear the record. I expect a live interpretation of the record.

[@sparkythesecretsquirrel4013]

That's why Kix just called it quits. They never faked it live and always gave it there all every show. When they couldn't put on a show up to their standards, they knew it was time.

[@bgmchrisc]

Teleprompters are fine, so long as the singer has put in a bit of work to make it not look like they're spending the whole song reading. It breaks the illusion to see them tethered to it the entire time.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Right you are Chris! I mean we are not here for a reading! Well, unless you go to one of Bono’s Book-tour concerts that is!❤❤❤

[@WEREWOLFCaT_STORIES]

As a bass guitarist - I’d much rather flub a note live than pretend to play along. The audience is much more forgiving for that - compared to the wool pulling of a backing track.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I’m a bassist as well WEREWOLF! And I so agree with you!❤❤❤

[@Zebra_3]

you didn't hear Gene Simmons back in 1976.

[@cl5619]

David Coverdale used a backing track back in his Deep Purple days, aka Glenn Hughes

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

It figures! So this isn’t just something new for him, eh CIA?❤

[@thezeroroom]

Roger Waters started lip-syncing The Trial in the original Wall concerts back in 1980/81, then a fair bit during his "Pros and Cons" tour, then even more during his Dark Side of The Moon, The Wall and Us and Them tours. It's really pathetic.

[@perry3928]

Hi Michael. I totally agree. Bands such as Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel, bring on the personnel to support and enhance the concert feel and bringing a studio album to life. Sounds like these bands you mention along with others are doing it on the cheap to pocket more cash. To them it's the money, not the fans who supported them and got them where they are today in the industry. Genesis, who's my favorite had to drop their music a concert pitch to accommodate Phil's changing voice, but at least his backup singers were on stage with him. Yes,if you can't do it right,stay off the stage. I spent hard earned money to be entertained, not fooled.

[@trebleface7835]

When Gillan joined Sabbath he didn’t know the lyrics so he put a teleprompter on the floor. He didn’t expect so much dry ice that he could see it so he jumped on his knees to get a closer look and sing while on his knees. He then heard a fan yell ITS RONNY DIO 😂

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

They were actually lyrics printed in a book which he had to flip pages with his feet.

[@splifftachyon4420]

One of the things I always used to love at concerts was when the band improvised or did things differently. If I want to hear the songs exactly as they sound on the album, I'll listen to freakin' album! In a live performance, I want to hear something that's passionate, fun, exploratory, even flawed. Surprise me and I'll be happy. I won't name the band, but they were a classic rock act and I went to see them when they were in their prime, at the height of their success. Every single song was spot on perfect, just like it sounded on the album. And I mean, these guys were talented musicians, so I am not accusing them of using backing tracks. I'm sure they could have easily played that all live. The problem was, it was just boring to me. I left unsatisfied. When I saw Yes on their 35th anniversary tour, I heard a lot of people complaining that they played Roundabout as an acoustic blues shuffle and that they should have played it like it was on the album. Personally, I loved it! It surprised me. It was a band having fun with their music. The problem with using backing tracks is it's going to sound perfect. That's what studio albums are for, if you dig that kind of thing. Not live shows.

[@flouisbailey]

I no longer go to concerts but love KZbin live concerts on my 77 inch TV with big sound system. Give us live shows or stay home.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Yers! Spiff you are so right! Improvisation is what would make the while show worth it! Right-freakin’-on!😉👌❤ When I saw YES, there was only excellent musicianship heard! Hallowed be their name!😉❤

[@Ravenstorm163]

@@flouisbailey Check the footage of Slash ft Myles Kennedy in that case just your cup of tea

[@flouisbailey]

@@Ravenstorm163 Thanks it is tea 🫖 time, He don’t need no Stinking backing track.

[@latentsea]

Spliff, I hear you but I like it when Rush played there songs pretty much note for note. My sound system is not as good as theirs so that is one reason to go to the show. The second good reason is to watch them in the flesh in full concentration as they come to difficult passages. The third reason is the collective experience with friends and the audience’s energy (think Rio YYZ). The fourth good reason is to catch a rare mistake, or many times a subtle altercation in tempo, or composition, or maybe a surprise sick medley. Fifth reason the washer and dryer onstage and the intro video. That’s just a few good reasons to see a live show. That being said, bands like Zeppelin, Tom Petty, Dave Matthews, Yes, King Crimson, Stanley Clark, Janes Addiction, I expect to mix it up a little more and let it rip. All good stuff either way for me.

[@raggeragnar]

Before Led Zeppelin played the ”Celebration day” tribute concert to Ahmet Ertegun in 2007 , Robert Plant told the others that he no longer could hit the high notes , so they stepped the necessary songs down a couple of octaves to where it fitted his voice. That’s acceptable. Especially since the gig were for a good cause.

[@pascaldeslongchampsmoncton1490]

A couple of " octaves " ? Down. More like a step down, not octave.

[@raggeragnar]

@@pascaldeslongchampsmoncton1490 : Did you not read the whole sentence ? Or did you forget parts of it ?

[@pascaldeslongchampsmoncton1490]

@@raggeragnar yes I did, but you know that an octave is 8 notes right, so a couple of octaves would have been very very low. Usually they go by half a step or a step, so, if the song is in C let say, they would have step it down to B or A . I didn't try to trap you here, but I played in some led zeppelin tribute a few times, and when the singer had problems to hit notes in some song, that's what the guitar and bass were doing, or you can tune down too.

[@joesalyers]

Using backing tracks can mean numerous things. Most bands use a metronome click track in their in-ears, even small club bands do this. It helps to keep the setlist on time and stops the annoying fact that excited drummers will play songs WAY TOO FAST at live shows and helps to keep everyone on the same page with small cues the audience never hears but the band does. Using extra background vocals to supplement a single vocalist or adding small shaker or keyboard parts that were recorded in the studio but can't be replicated easily live is nothing new. Pink Floyd have been doing this since the very early 1970s. This has been pretty much the norm since the introduction of affordable digital mixing consoles and simple multitrack playback devices around the early 2000s. It was not easy to do before then with analog mediums. I'm not talking about Lip syncing but supplemental tracks. You would be surprised to find out who does this, it is more than you think and you won't even notice it is happening. I even know numerous small bands and artists who can't afford to take on an extra 5 or 6 people to play all the extra parts to a song. This helps to give people attending a gig their Moneys worth. They are competing with Spotify, KZbin music and people who listen to music on a 3/4 inch speaker in the telephone In the modern music market the way the artist looks at it is they are having to work harder than ever to get people's attention just to come to a concert so they want it to be an experience and hear the songs they love played correctly not a clang and bang out of time jam session. But complete lip sync a show is not what I am talking about, that is just sad and weird, I understand it for television and I have made 500 or more quote "Vocal Up" mixes for television performances over the years. Bands touring Europe will need to have at least 4 songs ready for European TV to quote "lip sync" to for those performances since most European TV stations are not equipped to get a true live band performance in their studios so lip sync'ed performances are the norm in those situations. Think about the British Top of the Pops show back in the day. Even though I prefer shows like "The midnight Special" or the "Old Grey Whistle Test" which have some of m favorite live performances ever. I understand why small TV stations in Bulgaria, Romania or Germany need "Vocal Up" mixdowns for television. (Vocal Up means the song is mixed down a second time with the Vocals turned up 5db louder than the album version so it pops out on small TV speakers better.) But that is the only time when I think lip syncing is appropriate ( also music videos of course, but thats an entirely different discussion). I'm fine with supplemental tracks because it is no different than an overdub in the studio to accommodate the song, but lip syncing outside of TV is just sad and seems like a money grab. On the DUMB teleprompter part of the article I will say this, I built a teleprompter into an old floor monitor 20 years ago the woofer had blown and it was the perfect size for a 21 inch monitor and that is a godsend when you go blank and forget your next line in a live show. Oh and another thing MOST GUITARIST AREN'T USING REAL AMPS LIVE the speaker cabs are 9 times out of 10 EMPTY and for looks. Most touring bands use some sort of software/hardware instead of costly expensive guitar amps. Things like IK multimedia's Amplitude is a popular software option or a modeling amplifier like the Kemper or AX-FX which give them a consistent sound every night, would that be considered cheating as well? But I know I'm not taking my $6000 Mesa Dual Rectifier guitar amp into a club just so some drunk can spill beer on it, I'm going to take a laptop and midi foot-controller and have it safely tucked out of the way so it can't be destroyed or have beer spilled on it. Cheers!!

[@WrathChild666]

I couldn’t agree more!!! The GREATEST example of the use of backing tracks was when IRON MAIDEN had an appearance on a German TV show where they wouldn’t let them play live… so, in protest, they screwed around on stage! Swapped instruments and Steve took over lead vocals as it was all on backing tracks! Here’s the link to that video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6asoJ9saNR0o6s Also, about the Paul Stanley bit, even as a huge KISS fan myself, I’d rather listen and see them live with all the imperfections and aged voices as it should be “all for the love of rock and roll!” Plus, The show itself with all the fireworks and tricks makes up for all that and everyone has fun! I know their not everyone’s cuppa tea, but it’s a great show!

[@timfawcett1669]

Man you said it. Hell I can't afford to go to live concerts but if I did I sure as heck don't want prerecorded music. I can slap on a record if I wanted that. Love your channel. My biggest heart break was when Paul McCartney came to Ottawa and when I saw the prices my heart just sank. Who is gouging us the artist or ticket (the monopoly) master.?

[@docsavage8640]

Both. Ticketmaster can't do it without agreement by the performers.

[@debjorgo]

@@docsavage8640 Clapton said at one point, he was going to have to stop touring because with the security he needed and the price of putting on some sort of show that would compete with others out there, he would have to charge more for tickets than he would like. He didn't say it, but I think he meant it would be more than people would pay to see Eric Clapton.

[@billalbritton4972]

It’s the only way they make $$, they don’t sell records anymore.

[@jonblackers4339]

@@billalbritton4972 Their own fault. When cds were introduced HIGH QUALITY was promised and prices were high, and stayed high. I felt cheated after buying, for many years, inferior re releases for high prices and then the newer re releases finally had better quality, more artwork and extra tracks for much lower prices. At the same time downloading became an option. They should have lowered the prices decades ago . We re now in a situation that seeing live shows is often un affordable for many. Dont tell me they all still really need all that money. I read what Lyndsey Buckingham claimed for losses when he was pushed out of Fleetwood Mac, millions of dollars......

[@Strange-Songs]

People cry "price gouging" and "monopoly" for pure luxuries such as McCartney tickets But when Ottawa and D.C. politicians/bureau-rats extort excessive taxes and cause inflation on basic items such as food and shelter...

[@kurtsherrick2066]

Deep Purple wouldn't ruin their reputation of being at the top of Live Performances by cheating. Purple didn't allow any studio enhancements on Made In Japan. And Made In Japan is considered by millions as the Greatest Live Album in History. Blackmore made a mistake a show on purpose so people would know they were real Live.

[@brianmungermusic1744]

Hey… I agree with you. I’m a local performing musician and I’ve seen this same issue which burns me. Someone asked me why I don’t use a drum machine or fake vocal harmonies. My response and still is… If I needed drums… I’ll hire a drummer!!! Also I loved Dan Fogelberg cause when you saw him live…. He was better than the record with great musicians. Love your perspectives and enlightenment. Hope to meet you someday!!! Love sent

[@ijeff2005]

I can't believe Graff would even consider a teleprompter cheating. That's like saying using sheet music to play from is cheating.

[@novaguy509]

Agree 100%. I recently went to see a rock band that advertised itself as the best 80’s party rock band around. The hair wasn’t the only things being enhanced. It was very embarrassing to see the debacle unfold in a small club.

[@therockcasserole3563]

None of these bands should be touring anymore!! When I go to a concert, I want to see a 100% live band performing imperfections and all, it's part of the live show!!! When it comes to vocalists, the older a person gets their vocal cords begin to weaken, there's no stopping it, if a singer doesn't have it anymore, no matter who they are, and they've resorted to lip syncing, then they have no business charging people money to see them!!! If players are getting too old, don't have the stamina to perform every night like they once did, or simply just don't have it anymore and are standing up there pretending to play to some pre-recorded drum, guitar, bass, etc. tracks, then they all need to hang it up, retire, and call it a career!! Especially the ones who have done well financially and don't need the money!! I've heard it said many times, "You're never too old to rock," well if you're doing sh*t like these has been bands/players are doing because they don't have what they had 40 years ago, then I'm sorry to say, yes, they are too damn old to rock anymore! and they have no business charging the kind of money they charge to see them live!! That's not what I call rocking, I call it fraud and deception!! I want to see a 100% live performance not a bunch of old farts jumping around on stage pretending to play their instruments. I have absolutely no respect for any band or players who do this sh*t!!

[@clydekimsey7503]

I don't mind teleprompter, but NO backing tracks

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

👌

[@goatghost]

Hey Michael…love your channel! 👍 So, I’m a Gen-Xer, part time musician in a 4-piece (lead singer/lead guitarist, bassist, drummer, and me [rhythm guitarist/keyboardist) classic rock cover band (70s-80s). I’m kind of a stickler for doing songs as close as possible to the original recording, so we try to select ones we can pull off with those limitations. All vocals are live and not autotuned, but the bass player and I use MIDI footpedals to play pads, organs, strings, synths, samples, sound effects, etc. (nothing time-dependent) I have experience with sequencing, but we’ve only tried playing along with one at rehearsal. For Chicago’s “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is”, the sequencer played a piano part, some of the horns, and a monitor-fed click. I handled the balance of the horn parts. It took a lot of concentration on the drummer’s part to play to the click, and the song sounded great with all of the expected parts filled in, but I’m not sure I would risk a train wreck if we ever performed it live…LOL Anyway, what are your thoughts on drummers playing live to a metronome (no backing tracks)? I know it’s a crutch, and it totally does away with the “human-ness” and “feel” of a drummer keeping tempo on their own. But, sadly, some drummers benefit from it.

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

In my opinion the majority of fans that go to live concerts don't care if their favorite band or artist are faking it. It is nostalgia for them and they are just happy seeing them real or fake. I want to see a 100% live show, and I don't expect the songs to sound like the studio versions. If mistakes happen, it doesn't make it a horrible show for me. They are human, and mistakes happen no matter how many times they have performed their songs. I bet Ashlee Simpson wishes that people had this mentality years ago because her career would still be going if she wasn't caught lip syncing.

[@mikeclontz5774]

If I have a good time , I don't care.

[@sideshowbob]

As a longtime Deadhead who got into them in high school in the mid 70's, which led to the Allman Bro's, Frank Zappa, Euro Prog, Fusion Jazz, free jazz, other experimental / avant garde types of music in my lifetime, & eventually the "jamband" genre, I absolutely value "honesty" in my live music experiences, for obvious reasons, & would NEVER go near any sort of artist who would use backing tracks / lip synched vocals (you mention Kiss, I have HATED them since Day 1 when they 1st got popular in my mid 70's high school daze). I will make an exception for teleprompters in the case of jamband / experimental music, where artists cover a vast catalog of songs, some of which may only get played a handful of times or even once a year, or in the case of special events with a plethora of guest musician slots, where artists are playing songs / covers that they never did before. It takes an element of stress out of the proceedings & let them focus on their style of delivery / etc. Once the Grateful Dead started using teleprompters near the end of Jerry Garcia's life, it broke the ice for other jambands. Jerry's brain was fried at the time & he was having trouble remembering the vast catalog of songs he performed (even up to the end he never really cut back), so when he was finally convinced to use one, within the last year of his life, there was a period where he started performing long, complicated songs that he hadn't played in decades, that was quite a time to see him, despite his other health issues, there were some real Gems in that later era. His cover of Bob Dylan's Visions of Johanna (only ever performed 8 times) rings especially Soulful. I have a hard time watching videos of that one w/o tears welling up. You also mentioned Chris Robinson. He was the lead vocalist in one of Phil Lesh's (bass player for the GD) post-Jerry solo tour lineups in the early 2000's. The 1st leg of tour, he refused to use a teleprompter, but he also is a Yuge stoner, & disdained practicing much. So longtime Deadheads were pretty disgruntled when he buzzkilled the shows by chronically forgetting / messing up the lyrics to some of the most classic GD songs. Naturally, Deadheads SAVAGED him on the multitude of Deadhead discussion boards (this was before Facebook). By the 2nd leg, he reluctantly adopted the teleprompter & things went MUCH better for both him & the fans.

[@youtoo2233]

Most people just hear the music and see the band and that's good enough for them

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Unfortunately I think your right YT!❤❤❤

[@juanpablosaenz9037]

Most people nowadays are too busy broadcasting or recording the concert to their social media platforms to even enjoy the music or the performance or even the lighting show.

[@ryanluchuck8445]

Preach, brother. So tired of this. The power of celebrity and nostalgia is pretty shocking.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

You hit it right on with this one! Keep on telling it like it is brother. I'm 63 and want it real every time. I'm a lead singer and always keep it real. Go gettem.🤟🤟

[@TheOicyu812]

I'm paraphrasing, but about 23 years ago Paul Stanley said the following and yet he didn't live by his own words. I wish he and others would have gracefully retired before they ruined their legacies. ”I’d rather have people come up to me now and say why are you quitting, instead of hanging around too long and have people say, why don’t you quit?”.

[@tod3msn]

What we all need to remember is the expectations of fans may be very different from band to band. I've seen commentary on the net that Paul from Kiss struggles a little from time to time with his vocals these days. Well, he is in his 70's so that has to be factored in but we need to recall that Kiss fans also like the visuals of their live act. Kiss never pretended to be masters of their instruments or great singers so what their fans want seem be totally satisfied from their shows. I saw Ace Frehley live in a solo show and he played and sang well as far as I could tell and I thought put on a good show. Never saw Kiss live but they've been around for 50 years so they must be pleasing their fans. However, fans of Chicago and Herb Alpert or Michael Buble, etc., have a higher bar set for their artists and demand high level of musicianship and powerful vocals and technical brilliance in their shows so I do think it's an expectations game of what fans want from a particular artist.

[@Deucealive75]

You make a good point. I noticed that Motley Crue was doing something many years ago. But as a guitar player I understand why and it doesn't bother me. They are just filling in the sound and it does sound better than when I seen them in their early years.

[@Strange-Songs]

@@Deucealive75 Yes, well put. They are "filling in the sound"...not cheating...this is not baseball. Is multi-track , multi-take recording also "cheating"?

[@georgeedward1226]

I am of two minds on this topic. The capitalist in me says if people are dumb and rich enough to pay a fortune to see a bunch of elderly rock stars do a karaoke night of their own songs dating back to the Nixon administration, then so be it - as long as they disclose it ahead of time. The musician in me says they should call it a day and enjoy whatever money they've made over the years. (Don't these guys have any grandkids they can babysit?) I have too much admiration and respect for musicians who get on stage and actually play and risk making mistakes. If a guitar solo is different from the record or if the singer flubs a lyric or two, that's fine. It's just a reminder you are hearing a unique, live, flesh and blood performance. If you are so off your game you need backing tracks to get through a set, retire gracefully or find a more age compatible career.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

The capitalist in me wants a percentage George!❤❤❤

[@davidlaw689]

Is it true that David Coverdale and Paul Stanley are teaming up to re-record the Milli Vanilli catalogue ?

[@willswalkingwest7267]

Lmao. 🤣🤣🤣

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

LOL David! I wouldn’t put it past them!❤😂

[@mooch514]

Motley crue have been using pre recorded back up vocals and rythmn guitar tracks since the begining as admitted by mars himself on trunk

[@BoudiciaDark]

Sheesh, The Doors ALWAYS hid the bass player.

[@bonzodog6872]

That made me chuckle

[@suicidality2744]

As long as the public keeps buying tickets at sky high prices these bands have zero incentive to quit. The Motley Fool/Def Leppard stadium tour was one of the highest grossing last year. They're bringing it to Europe this Summer.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Oh, I’m sorry Europe! We didn’t mean to send you American crap! They escaped!❤😉🥸 Thanx Suicidality@❤

[@suicidality2744]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Lol! The Europeans are there for Def Leppard. I doubt the Motley Fools could do it alone.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

Queen played the opera section tape on Bohemian Rhapsody and left the stage to do a costume change and then the rest of the band would come back and play the rock and last ballad sections live after a pyro blast. Freddie Mercury would rise via a platform underneath the stage back on between 1977 and 1978. Also used a tape for the loop ending of The Prophet's Song so Freddie would change costumes and Brian May and John Deacon retuned their bottom strings from D to E and Roger cymbal flourished the end with his high note. Roger Waters started lip syncing as early as the third Wall concert after he threw his voice out on the first night. David Gilmour had to sing Hey You on the second night and modified the high parts Roger hit so David could sing it.

[@Fred-vy1hm]

This is why I loved Rush, three musical geniuses that never faked it and no one ever left one of their concerts thinking they didn't get their money's worth.

[@waltjames407]

Nope. You've been duped. Rush has been using backing tracks for a long, long time. Sequenced synths, the strings on "Marathon," backing vocals (why does Alex sound exactly like Geddy when he sings backups? Because it's a backing track, and Alex is only providing the visual), the guitar feedback on "Stick It Out," those are all backing tracks when played live. Aimee Mann's "Time Stand Still" line...she's not actually there, it's a backing track. And of course the 2112 intro is obviously a backing track. I've heard rhythm guitar on some live tracks, too, but can't remember which tunes.

[@PeterCamberwick]

@@waltjames407 You'll be telling him Father Christmas doesn't exist next. LOL :)

[@saldiven2009]

As a fan, I think that there are two different kinds of backing tracks. For some bands, they decide they want an extra layer in the music for a particular song, like a horn or keyboard sound, but don't want to add a new member to the band for just a small number of songs. On stage, the band members are playing all their instruments live and singing live, but there's a underlying layer from a recorded track. I don't care about that. On the other hand, you have a lot of acts (especially in the pop and related genres) that literally none of the music is being played live. I couldn't imagine spending money to go to that kind of show. It's so sterile. I can stay at home and listen to the recording myself and save a lot of money.

[@c.7610]

Good distinction. I agree with you.

[@frannyp46]

Good points about the uneducated audience. They can’t tell you what’s going on, but after repeated listenings, they know what’s good and what isn’t.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

And they are even better at smelling out a rat or two Frannyp46! Always!❤❤❤

[@dragonfly1694]

Queen were booed offstage when they performed at the Sunbury Music Festival in 1974, for using a backing tape during the vocal mid-section of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' instead of performing it live themselves. They never returned to Australia again. How times have changed.

[@jwvvvv]

Don't worry, the KISS Last Grasp for Cash tour can't go on forever.

[@richardelliott8352]

there are a lot of musically ignorant people who think a live concert should sound just like the record, they just haven't been exposed to enough live music to know what it is supposed to be and are fine with it just being an event and are disappointed when things aren't a note for note copy of the recordings . One of the local chamber of commerce throws a street fair with live music. They used to hire regular good bands, but the switched to "tribute" bands, which seemed to be more popular, judging from the crowds. One guy was turning in a note for note interpretation of the recordings of Jemi Hendrix , a brilliant performance. But I couldn't help but wish such a fine talent could earn his coin playing the material in his own way.

[@ryanw6626]

Garcia would stumble and fumble through the words while the karaoke teleprompter gave him everything he needed for the lyrics. He didn't use it. Legend.

[@jeffreyg4626]

Great video Michael. The last big show I went to was U2 in 1987. U2 was good but I didn't enjoy it much. I think big shows attract a lot of assholes and are not a real reflection of the bands serious fans. But that's just me. I prefer seeing bands in clubs or small venues. I went to see The Black Crowes at a small venue in 2008 and it was one of the best shows, maybe the best I ever saw. Thanks for taking up the tough subjects.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Yeah I just love bands at smaller smoke house blues environments Jeffrey!❤❤

[@KathySandru]

In the Nineties, I was employed at an arena backstage in Security, so I got to see a lot in performances. There were quite a number of artists who have used backing tracks. But let me tell you the good from the bad that stood out for me: THE GOOD - Prince. Prince & the Revolution gave their all within their performances & you got your money's worth. Every show was unique. The Grateful Dead, RUSH, Deep Purple, EL&P, awesome live. THE BAD: David Lee Roth (Eat 'Em & Smile Tour), THE WORST: Michael Jackson's BAD tour. Imagine paying (at that time) $100 for V.I.P. tickets & getting a 100% lipsync performance. Now people will come after me for saying ill about the dead, but it is what it is. MJ did not perform 100% live at the time.

[@Strange-Songs]

Rush used backing tracks...at least since 2007. Drummer Neil Peart triggered the backing track before each song to follow his drumming. Even in the 80s and 90s, did you not notice Geddy Lee triggering pre-recorded samples from his keyboard? Cheaters!

[@vonbleak101]

I 100% agree - If you need to use backing tracks its time to hang up the boots i think - Or change it up so you can do it live... Robert Plant is a perfect example of this - As Robert got older he has changed his approach and even arrangments of songs to always suit his voice and he always has a killer live band too...

[@bettyrichmond7244]

I agree with you about this. I don't want to see a partial concert or karaoke. The 2 classic bands saw this past spring were great as they were true to their music.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Oh that’s perfect Betty! We get only a portion of what we pay for! Excellent choice of word!❤❤❤

[@robertb.bricker1248]

I spent the 80's tied to automation...sequences, lighting, effects. The same show, over and over. When I left that cage, I suffered from PTSD for 30years ( Post Traumatic Sequence Disorder). I insisted on recording live off the floor. Of course vocals would get the cut and slice treatment, then digital comping later on. Live, I didn't even use monitors... CRANK the front end... I'll feel it...ENGAGE..IN YOUR FACE. Fast forward to musical retirement. A couple acoustic gigs a year.. Ipad...cash the cheque. Last year, took a year off my career. Decided to open a manual or 2, from the gear i've accumulated...got the bug. Built 108 backing tracks from scratch. No vocals, just drums. bass and some keys. 10 days from now i'll debut my new, tricked out show. As I rehearse...I'm hating me. I'm just the guy showing up to karaoke with a guitar ( and bass, and Trombone and Piano)

[@JungKiChris]

Watching King’s X live, they put out such a huge soundscape with only 3 guys. It’s amazing what they can do live. Let me know if I’m wrong about them not using backing tracks.

[@scunion66]

Kings X--incredible band! If you're reading this and you've never heard them--CHECK THEM OUT!! You'll be glad you did!

[@slidetek]

I remember back in the day when we called using additional recorded material "Floyding it". But that was for sound effects etc., just like Yes used a tape for the beginning of Close To The Edge. But now freaking Waters has half of his show recorded, including his parts. I remember when bands would get pissed if they had to lip sync and fake a performance for a TV show. As far as I'm concerned for a live show it's unforgiveable. Some tools like a teleprompter are ok IMHO - Brian Wilson uses one but also puts on an incredible show that's all him and the Wondermints. He lets others fill in for his voice. Old age happens. I'll take that over pretending. Yeah - too many people are buying tickets to names, not bands, and not caring who or what is happening.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

David Gilmour sings live and even flubs a lyric now and then plus his voice cracks.

[@briannewell6064]

I can't remember my middle name so I really can't object to an old act using a teleprompter. I don't like it but I understand.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

And for me remembering what I had for lunch is a major victory Brian!❤❤❤

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

it amuses me when people complain about artists who use backing tracks when it's a safe bet you'd also complain if they sounded bad and weak from not using the tracks.

[@PeterCamberwick]

Yeah, also ammuses me when they reel off a bunch of artists who never used click tracks ... not knowing that some of them did. LOL

[@Ravenstorm163]

The Who used backing tracks in 1970 Most ambient metal songs can not play without tracks cause you cannot bring an orchestra on tour

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Well they don’t want to pay for an orchestra anyway Rev! Metallica has utilized them from time to time, and I loved it! I’d pay top-dollar for the extra effort!❤

[@Ravenstorm163]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine my favourite album is Alter Bridge live at Royal Albert Hall ft Parallax orchestra but the logistics still don't add up You should listen to Alter Bridge they are awesome

[@jetcat132]

People always grumbled that Zeppelin couldn’t do the songs live the way they sounded in the studio, or on the albums. First of all they DIDN’T WANT to sound like the albums, they were always improvising live, and loathed repetition. Secondly, Page famously stated “If we can’t do it live, we won’t.” They always maintained the catalog as two separate entities in that regard. It’s great that bands are ambitious in their vision for the music, multi tracking and layering, but unless you bring in an orchestra or backing musicians, it can’t be replicated live. I’d say they did pretty well back in the day with only three musicians onstage, Page, Jones, and Bonham, with Plant filling the vocals. Not an ounce of dead air, and they did it without backing tracks in absolutely cavernous buildings.

[@Ravenstorm163]

@@jetcat132 the genra is different falling in reverse or electric cowbell without tracks will never be a good show. I am not supporting using tracks for actual instruments but tracks alongside the band is fare game

[@daves2058]

The Who toured this year with en orchestra! It was awesome!

[@kameel68]

If Paul Stanley uses a backing track for his vocals and Tommy Lee uses a backing track for his drums, they should retire.

[@randycunningham7318]

How could he fake drumming.

[@Tonymanero1960]

Michael,....can I request that you do a video on classic rock stars' worst wigs/phoniest hairpieces. I nominate Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley,...and David Coverdale.Anyone else have a nominee??

[@georgeedward1226]

All the rockers with bad hairpieces should start a new band. Potential band names include: REO Rugwearin'; Plug Zeppelin; Judas Paste; Toupee Shakur; Hairosmith; Creedence Comb-Over Revival.

[@Tonymanero1960]

@@georgeedward1226 Absolutely hilarious,...and spot on.Did you make that up?

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Oh wow, hadn’t even thought of that tony! It’s on the list though now!❤

[@samspurgeon4222]

Both were members of one of my all time favorites from childhood onward, Quiet Riot, but I think Kevin DuBrow and Paul Shortino got a group discount......

[@Tonymanero1960]

@@samspurgeon4222 I forgot to mention a classic rock band Deep Purple that had 2 members that had horrible wigs,....Ian Paice...and of course the horrific monstrosity on Ritchie Blackmores head.Add in Coverdale and you have a trifecta.

[@masteryoda498]

This is why I prefer good old fashioned Aussie pub rock, no lip syncing, no fakery. America invented rock n roll. Australia perfected it.

[@johnmartin7182]

As always awesome content thanks for your time to do this video.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Thanx so much John!❤

[@tod3msn]

Michael...The question you really need to ask yourself is what do I really want from a live performance? Take artists like Herb Alpert who at 87 is still touring and I played his stuff in our high school band and will fly to see one if his performances because he does not come in my area. One expects a musical pro like Herb to be real and I expect that is what I will see. Herb Alpert is a musician that others could not dream being so the bar is higher for Herb. Yet, the average music fan just wants a show and are not sticklers for more genuine musical shows. Sparks with Russell Mael singing at 75 brilliantly and his brother Ron playing keyboards at 77 incredibly are the real deal

[@avlisk]

I remember that ELO "controversy". It was shocking and disappointing. We decided not to go to a concert because of that. However, I kept buying their records and it didn't make me dislike their studio stuff any less.

[@jillshinault9442]

You cheated yourself. They weren’t lip synching. They augmented the instruments. ELO albums were never recorded with the seven members playing their parts and that’s what ended up on the record. In production Jeff Lynne looped and multitracked to build the big sound you hear. Plus, beginning with the 1974 album Eldorado, the albums were backed with actual 40-piece orchestras. There is no way those seven guys could create that sound on stage. Yes, back then they used some backing tracks to fill out the music. But it was all Jeff and Kelly singing. I only wish I had the opportunity to see that tour.

[@thefoss5387]

Michael, For me, the earliest use that I was aware of a "backing track" was by the Hollies, in the late 60's. When they did their hit Carrie Anne in concert, they had no way to duplicate the steel drum solo. So, for those live performances, they dubbed the studio steel drum solo on the Bass track. During that song, in concert, Bassist, Bernie Calvert, dialed off his bass and mimed his part. The Guitarists, vocalists, and drummer did play and sing, but, the solo and bass were from the backing track. Because replicating that solo, at that time, would have been difficult, I guess I am not as offended by their solution, as there was no other easy way for them to do a credible job recreating this hit, live.

[@MelindaMurphy]

I enjoyed the video. I agree that I want to hear the band completely live. David Lee Roth did not give a great vocal performance in concert back in 2015 but we can be confident that he was singing live. 😃 Have a great weekend and get well soon.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Hi Melinda! I did a whole video and Kenny Loggin’s vocal coach checked into the channel! He said that many lead vocalists like Vince Meal, er I mean Neal just don‘T bother taking care of their voices! Kenny famously reclaimed his range and everything! Now that’s a veteran rocker with class!

[@wigimonster8909]

When Roth opened for Kiss for a handful of shows he was piping in the chorus/backing vocals on each song. Check out some of the clips.

[@mrbigg7255]

I seen the kiss/Roth tour. Vocals aside, Roth’s band sounded way better because they had actual amplifiers on the stage. Kiss sounded weak.

[@rmartin7558]

On the most recent Van Halen tour Dave was singing live, but Eddie and Wolfie were lip syncing their backing vocals to tracks.

[@mikelliteras397]

When people stop buying tickets, they will stop.

[@stevegallo8483]

You hit the nail on the head. Live performances need to be live. The halftime show at the Super Bowl last night is a great example of what you're talking about. Rihanna was supposed to be performing live, but it was clear as day she was lip synching the whole time.

[@Bigeazy87]

Brian Wilson comes to mind as someone who gets a hall pass. He stopped hitting the sweet notes of his songs some 50 years ago. However, he is rightly celebrated as a survivor, and his fans accept that his talented band is who is delivering the notes. Other than him, if the expectation is the people you are paying good money to see are authentic, then absolutely they should be authentic.

[@GreenGartside1989]

Facts! You look at the older guard who did it right. You mentioned The Police. Also, bands like Rush, Aerosmith, Creedence & Led Zeppelin. Those bands only needed their talent and that was it. I hate that bands like Shinedown exist rt now. And you’re spot on about the crappy excuses these bands give. Bands cancelling shows because they don’t have laptops and just horrible excuses

[@GreenGartside1989]

@Kevin - i was fortunate enough to see Rush multiple times. They always delivered the goods. Extremely high level of musicianship! Aerosmith I’ve unfortunately never seen and hope i still get to. They are one of the few Classic era bands I’ve regretfully not seen live

[@PeterCamberwick]

Er yeah, Police did use some click tracks. LOL

[@louiscalabrese9945]

The big heart break for me was learning the Beatles didn't write or play on much of their recorded publishings. They were mainly singers.

[@sarahm.5356]

Louis, that's a lie.

[@louiscalabrese9945]

@@sarahm.5356 prove it.

[@juliepetersen7974]

It’s all about (hopefully) locking eyes with the performers at least once and the feeling of totally losing yourself in the moment! Those by far are the best concerts for me! I don’t need perfection; I need to feel like I’ve left my body for awhile! Otherwise, why not just hit a club with canned music?

[@marcwigle]

Speaking of cheating... what about bands who are playing with only one original member and passing themselves off as the real thing? I'm thinking of Boston, The Guess Who and Foreigner to start with... none have the original singer. We have a band up here in Canada called Trooper that has NOT one member from their hit-making days. Another is April Wine who's singer has retired... without him, the band is not April Wine.