Madison Square Garden Gold Ticket Award Explained

In 1977 Madison Square Garden (MSG) announced Gold Ticket Awards would be given to performers who had brought in more than 100,000 unit ticket sales to the venue. Since the arena's seating capacity is about 20,000,[1] this would require a minimum of five sold-out shows. To publicize the announcement, the first Gold Ticket Award was given to WNEW-FM, in recognition of the station's tenth anniversary, during intermission at the October 17, 1977 Emerson, Lake & Palmer concert at the venue. It was also announced that performers who had already hit the 100,000-plus mark would receive the award at future dates. Artists in that group included Chicago, John Denver, Peter Frampton, the Rolling Stones, The Jackson 5, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Sly Stone, Jethro Tull, The Who, and Yes.[2] [3] Typically, artists received their awards during their appearances at Madison Square Garden. In a 2014 interview, Graeme Edge, drummer for the Moody Blues, said his gold ticket from Madison Square Garden was his "most interesting piece of memorabilia" from his career. He explained that what made it interesting is that the ticket can be used to attend any event at the Garden. He has never used it for that, mainly because he doesn't live close to the venue.[4]

MSG Platinum Ticket Awards

Madison Square Garden also gave Platinum Ticket Awards to performers who sold over 250,000 tickets to their shows throughout the years. Winners of the Platinum Ticket Awards include: the Rolling Stones (1981),[5] Elton John (1982),[6] Yes (1984),[7] Billy Joel (1984),[8] and The Grateful Dead (1987).[9]

Performers in the MSG Hall of Fame

Besides its Gold and Platinum Ticket Awards, Madison Square Garden has also recognized some performers by inducting them into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame. In the same October 1977 issue of Billboard magazine that reported MSG's announcement of the new Gold Ticket Award, for which he was eligible, Elton John was reported to be the first non-sports figure inducted into the MSG Hall of Fame for "record attendance of 140,000" in June of that year.[10] For their achievement of "13 consecutive sell-out concerts" at the venue, the Rolling Stones were inducted into the MSG Hall of Fame in 1984, along with nine sports figures.[5] [11]

21st century: Performers awarded permanent banners

In the 21st century Madison Square Garden has honored sports figures and performing artists by raising permanent banners in the venue. In September 2022, Harry Styles became the third musical artist to have his banner raised in recognition of a run of 15 sold-out shows during his "Love on Tour 2022" residency.[12] [13] [14]

MSG Gold Ticket Awards of note

According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Earth, Wind & Fire were the "first black performers" to receive the MSG Gold Ticket Award.[15] Billboard magazine, however, reported that both The Jackson 5 and Sly Stone were eligible as of October 17, 1977, when the award was first announced.[3] The Jacksons received their award in 1981.

Billy Joel received the award after selling out Madison Square Garden for five nights in a row in 1980.[16] [17] In 2018 Joel played his 100th show at MSG, the record for most lifetime performances there.[18]

The Grateful Dead were presented the award after selling out two MSG engagements in one year: the first was a two-night run in January 1979, and the second was a three-night stand in September. They had not played at MSG prior to the January engagement.[19] Tickets for each show sold out the same day they went on sale.[20]

Bruce Springsteen was the first performer who had participated in two different "events" that received the award: his own appearances at Madison Square Garden from 1978 into 1980, and his appearances in the "No Nukes" Concerts in September 1979.[21] Phil Collins has also been a dual recipient of the award, in 1986 as a member of Genesis,[22] and again in 1990 as a solo performer.[23]

List of MSG Gold Ticket Awardees to 1994

MSG Gold Ticket Award
(An award for more than 100,000 ticket sales at Madison Square Garden over the years)
ArtistYearComment
WNEW-FM1977[24] Honorary
Chicago1977[25] [26] By the time of this award Chicago had drawn over 180,000 people to the venue in nine sold-out appearances over the years.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer1977
Jethro Tull1977[27] [28]
1978[29] (Eligible in 1977)
1978[30]
1978[31] (Eligible in 1977) In 1984 Yes also was recognized with a Platinum Ticket Award for selling 250,000 tickets.
Bob Dylan1978
Richard Nader's Rock & Roll Spectacular1978[32]
Queen1978[33] [34]
1979[35] By the time of his award, Stewart had sold over 200,000 tickets throughout the years.
Kiss1979[36]
Peter Frampton1979[37] (Eligible in 1977) After a car accident in summer 1978, Frampton did not perform live again until 1979.[38]
New York Salsa Festival1979[39] Cash Box reported that this was the 14th award ever given. The award was presented to the show's producers, Ralph Mercado and Ray Aviles.
Grateful Dead1979 Grateful Dead earned their award in one year's time for two shows in January 1979 and three shows in September 1979. In 1987 the band received the Garden's Platinum Ticket Award in recognition of selling over 250,000 tickets.
Bee Gees1979
The Who1979[40] (Eligible in 1977)
"No Nukes" Concerts1979
Earth, Wind & Fire1979[41]
Isley Brothers1980[42] According to Cash Box, the Isley Brothers received the first award of 1980, and the 20th over all.
Billy Joel1980 Joel received the award after selling out Madison Square Garden for five nights in a row in 1980. Joel was also a Platinum Ticket Award recipient in 1984 for selling over 250,000 tickets.
Bruce Springsteen1980Springsteen was reported to be the 22nd recipient of the award, and the first performer to participate in two events which earned the award: for his own concerts from 1978 through 1980, and the September 1979 "No Nukes" Concerts.
1981[43] [44] The Moody Blues first appearance at Madison Square Garden was in 1972.[45]
1981[46] (Eligible in 1977)
1982 Black Sabbath gave its Gold Ticket Award to a Hard Rock Cafe in 1992.[47]
David Bowie1983
Menudo1985
1986[48] Billboard reported Aerosmith was the 27th act to receive the award since its inception in 1977.
Neil Diamond1986[49]
Stevie Wonder1986[50] [51]
Genesis1986 Received for ticket sales exceeding 200,000 for shows performed there since 1977.[52]
Pink Floyd1987
1988[53] [54] [55]
New Edition1989[56]
Paul McCartney1989[57] [58]
Bobby Brown1989
Phil Collins1990 This was Phil Collins's second MSG Gold Ticket Award. He had received one in 1986 as a member of Genesis.
Fleetwood Mac1990[59]
Luther Vandross1991[60]
1991[61] [62]
Madonna1993
Eric Clapton1994[63] For tickets sold between the years 1974 - 1994.

Others Eligible for MSG Gold Ticket (to 1994)

MSG Gold Ticket Award
ArtistYearComment
Eligible in 1977Elton John was inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame on October 10, 1977,[64] just weeks before the Gold Ticket Award was publicly introduced, for record attendance of over 140,000 at his June 1977 concerts. He was the first non-sports person to be inducted and the 94th over all. There is some evidence he received a Gold Ticket Award in 1982.[65] In 1982 Elton John was also a recipient of the Platinum Ticket Award for selling over 250,000 tickets.
Eligible in 1977According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Led Zeppelin played their last U.S. concert on July 24, 1977, before the award was announced later that year in October.[66] Performers typically received their Gold Ticket Awards during their appearances at Madison Square Garden after the October 1977 award announcement date.
Eligible in 1977The Rolling Stones received a MSG Platinum Ticket Award in 1981 for selling over 250,000 tickets. They were also inducted into the MSG Hall of Fame in 1984 in recognition for "13 consecutive sell-out concerts" at Madison Square Garden. They were one of ten inductees at the time, the other nine inductees were sports figures.
Eligible in 1977Sly and the Family Stone broke up in 1975, before the MSG Gold Ticket Award was established, and Sly Stone became more reclusive after the band's dissolution.[67] [68]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Ultimate Guide to Madison Square Garden. Bunt. Angela . April 30, 2018 . SeatGeek. March 29, 2019.
  2. November 5, 1977 . WNEW Gets Madison Square Garden Award . Cash Box . USA. George Albert . XXXIX . 25. 16. americanradiohistory.com. March 30, 2019.
  3. October 29, 1977 . [{{Google books|akUEAAAAMBAJ|page=42|plainurl=yes}} Box Office Gold Ticket ]. Billboard . USA. Lee Zhito . 89 . 43. 42. Google books. March 30, 2019.
  4. Web site: Graeme Edge Interview with Glide Magazine. February 10, 2014. The Moody Blues. en-US. March 30, 2019.
  5. News: Rolling Stones inducted into Hall . The Central New Jersey Home News. New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA . June 14, 1984 . 14, On the Go! section . . April 6, 2019.
  6. News: Elton gets award . Tampa Bay Times . St. Petersburg, Florida, USA . August 7, 1982 . 6A . . April 6, 2019.
  7. News: Yes, that's quite a feat . Daily News . New York, New York, USA . May 16, 1984 . 83 . . April 6, 2019.
  8. News: Hot Ticket . The Desert Sun . Palm Springs, California, USA . July 7, 1984 . D12 . . April 6, 2019.
  9. News: Jaeger . Barbara . Records, Etc.: The Grateful Dead . The Record . Hackensack, New Jersey, USA . October 1, 1987 . E-10 . . April 5, 2019.
  10. October 29, 1977. [{{Google books|akUEAAAAMBAJ|page=2|plainurl=yes}} Elton In Manhattan]. Billboard. USA. Lee Zhito. 89. 3. April 2, 2019. 43. Google books.
  11. News: Sports World Specials. Thomas Jr.. Robert MCG.. May 7, 1984. The New York Times. April 2, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331.
  12. Web site: Sheffield . Rob . September 22, 2022 . Harry Styles Celebrates Historic 15-Show Run at Madison Square Garden With Banner Raising . April 15, 2023 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  13. Web site: Peppin . Hayley . September 23, 2022 . Harry Styles Honoured With Banner At Madison Square Gardens . April 15, 2023 . Harper's Bazaar Australia . en-US.
  14. Web site: Carcieri . Rebecca . September 6, 2022 . Harry Styles takes over Madison Square Garden with unforgettable performance . April 15, 2022 . The Brown Daily Herald . en-US.
  15. Web site: Legendary R&B Group Earth, Wind & Fire Inducted Into Hollywood's Rockwalk. July 7, 2003. www.ascap.com. March 30, 2019.
  16. Kozak . Roman . August 9, 1980 . [{{Google books|eyQEAAAAMBAJ|page=PA4&l|plainurl=yes}} Singer Alters Summer Tour: Double LP Set For November? ]. Billboard . USA. Billboard Publications . 92 . 32. 35. Google books. March 30, 2019.
  17. News: Melhuish . Martin . The Pringle Column . Sun . The Interior News . Smithers, British Columbia, Canada . September 10, 1980 . b7 . . March 30, 2019.
  18. Web site: Bruce Springsteen Joins Billy Joel as Piano Man Plays 100th Show at Madison Square Garden. Quinn. Dave. July 19, 2018. PEOPLE.com. en. March 21, 2019.
  19. News: Bohen . Jim . Music: Got To Get Ourselves Back To The Garden . Daily Record . Morristown, New Jersey, USA . September 14, 1979 . 5W . March 30, 2019.
  20. News: Cain . Scott . Pop Music: Grateful Dead Return for Sellout at Fox . Atlanta Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia, USA . April 27, 1980 . 3E . March 30, 2019.
  21. News: Springsteen concert wins Garden's Golden Ticket . The News . Paterson, New Jersey, USA . January 3, 1981 . 33 . . April 1, 2019.
  22. November 1, 1986 . News: SRO at Madison Square Garden . Cash Box . USA. George Albert . L . 20. 31. americanradiohistory.com. April 2, 2019.
  23. November 3, 1990 . Talent: Phil Fills Four . Billboard . USA. Howard Lander . 102 . 44 . 46 (photo caption) . AmericanRadioHistory.com. April 1, 2019.
  24. News: WNEW-FM Gets Gold Ticket . The Herald-News . Passaic, New Jersey . October 19, 1977 . C-9. . April 5, 2019.
  25. November 12, 1977 . New York Hosts Chicago . Cash Box . USA. George Albert . XXXIX . 26. 38. americanradiohistory.com. March 30, 2019.
  26. News: Byrom . Sue . The Current Scene: Chicago's Golden Ticket to Ride . Scrantonian . Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA . February 5, 1978 . 20 . . March 30, 2019.
  27. December 10, 1977 . [{{Google books|i0UEAAAAMBAJ|page=PT6&l|plainurl=yes}} Talent Talk ]. Billboard . USA. Lee Zhito . 89 . 49. 44 . Google books. March 30, 2019.
  28. News: Campbell . Tom . A Punk Rock Christmas?: Early Gifts Under the Tree . San Francisco Examiner . San Francisco, California, USA . December 10, 1977 . 6 . . April 16, 2019.
  29. Traiman . Stephen . April 1, 1978 . Talent in Action: John Denver . Billboard . USA. Lee Zhito . 90 . 13. 59 . AmericanRadioHistory.com. March 30, 2019.
  30. News: Palmer . Robert . Music: Fania All Stars Offer a Pure Latin . The New York Times . New York New York, USA . June 26, 1978 . C16. March 30, 2019.
  31. News: Pop Scene . The Salina Journal . Salina, Kansas, USA . October 1, 1978 . 21 . . March 30, 2019.
  32. October 7, 1978 . Lewis . Randy . East Coastings/Points West: East Coastings: OBGs . Cash Box . USA . George Albert . XL . 21. 12. americanradiohistory.com. April 5, 2019.
  33. Web site: Valdron . Ryan . November 16, 2018 . Today in Rock History: November 16th . K106.3 FM. https://web.archive.org/web/20181116115522/http://k106fm.com/daily-fix/rock-lounge/2018/11/today-in-rock-history-november-16th/ . November 16, 2018 . live. March 30, 2019.
  34. Book: Gregory, Andy . 2002 . International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002 . London, England . Europa Publications . 9781857431612. p. 129 See entry "DEACON John".
  35. News: Nooger . Dan . Music: Gas shortage, tight money cutting rock concert attendance . Muncie Evening Press . United Features . Muncie, Indiana, USA . July 21, 1979 . T-10 . . March 30, 2019.
  36. Gregory 2002, pp. 467-468, See entry "SIMMONS Gene".
  37. Web site: Stech's Day In Rock (Aug. 1st). Stechman. Mike. August 1, 2017. 93.3 The Drive. https://web.archive.org/web/20170806234937/http://www.933thedrive.com/stechs-day-rock-aug-1st/. August 6, 2017. March 30, 2019.
  38. Peter Frampton: Peter Principle. Kaye. Elizabeth. July 3, 1986. Rolling Stone. en-US. March 31, 2019.
  39. Terrace . Ray . June 14, 1980 . Latin International: Latin Beat . Cash Box . USA . George Albert . XLI . 18 . 42 . Internet Archive . March 31, 2019.
  40. Gregory 2002, p. 121, See entry "DALTREY Roger"; p. 158, See entry "ENTWISTLE John"; p. 510, see entry TOWNSHEND Peter Dennis Blandford.
  41. Gregory 2002, pp. 23-24, See entry "BAILEY Phillip".
  42. Amerson . Cookie . June 14, 1980 . Black Contemporary: The Rhythm Section: Isley's Get Gold Ticket. Cash Box . USA . George Albert . XLII . 5 . 33 . AmericanRadioHistory.com. March 31, 2019.
  43. News: Gibbs . Grizzly . Groovin' with Grizzly, MusicWorld News: Disc 'N' Dat . Auburn Journal . Auburn, California, USA . August 16, 1981 . 6, Sunday Magazine . . March 30, 2019.
  44. Cash Box News: Moody Blues Receive Madison Square Garden Gold Ticket (photo caption) . Cashbox . XLIII . 10 . USA . July 25, 1981 . 5 . AmericanRadioHistory.com . March 30, 2019.
  45. Kozak . Roman . Darling . Cary . August 1, 1981 . [{{Google books|ASQEAAAAMBAJ|page=PT37&l|plainurl=yes}} Talent Talk ]. Billboard . USA. Lee Zhito . 93 . 30 . 38 . Google books. March 31, 2019.
  46. Kozak . Roman . August 29, 1981 . [{{Google books|QiQEAAAAMBAJ|page=PT36|plainurl=yes}} Talent Talk ]. Billboard . USA. Lee Zhito . 93 . 34 . 37 . Google books. April 1, 2019.
  47. News: Rock Till You Drop . Daily News . New York, New York, USA . August 11, 1992 . 32. . March 30, 2019.
  48. April 26, 1986 . [{{Google books|LCQEAAAAMBAJ|page=20|plainurl=yes}} Talent: Golden Moment]. Billboard . USA. Sam Holdsworth . 98 . 17. 20 . Google books. March 30, 2019.
  49. Book: Jackson, Laura . 2005. [{{Google books|1MCvNbOTdSgC|page=184|plainurl=yes}} Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion ]. 184 . ECW Press . 9781550227079 . Google books. April 1, 2019.
  50. Terrace . Ray . October 11, 1986 . News: Tickertape . Cash Box . USA . George Albert . L . 17 . 6 . Internet Archive . April 16, 2019.
  51. Gregory 2002, p. 552, See entry "WONDER Stevie, (Steveland Morris)".
  52. Baker . Glenn A. . March 7, 1987 . September 1986-July 1987 'Invisible Touch' Tour Rocks Planet, Breaks Records, Storms America . Billboard . USA . Sam Holdsworth . 99 . 10 . G-3, G-16 . AmericanRadioHistory.com. April 5, 2019.
  53. News: Jaeger . Barbara . Records, Etc.: A Rolling Stone gathers momentum . The Record . Hackensack, New Jersey, USA . October 27, 1988 . E-10 . . April 16, 2019.
  54. Web site: This Day in Rock History: October 11. www.paulshaffersdayinrock.com. March 30, 2019.
  55. Gregory 2002, p. 519, See entries "VAN HALEN Alex", "VAN HALEN Eddie".
  56. News: Jaeger . Barbara . Records, Etc.: New Edition . The Record . Hackensack, New Jersey, USA . February 16, 1989 . F-20 . . April 5, 2019.
  57. January 27, 1990 . Talent: Brave Faces . Billboard . USA . John Babcock, Jr. . 102 . 4 . 37 . AmericanRadioHistory.com. April 16, 2019.
  58. News: Jaeger . Barbara . Records, Etc.: Quick Spins: Paul McCartney . The Record . Hackensack, New Jersey, USA . December 28, 1989 . C-9 . . April 5, 2019.
  59. Gregory 2002, p. 329, See entry "MCVIE John".
  60. Web site: Lot 248: A COMMEMORATIVE "MADISON SQUARE GARDEN GOLDEN TICKET AWARD" PLAQUE. NYE & Co. Auctioneers. April 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190401020829/http://nyeandcompany.com/auctions/61/a-commemorative-madison-square-garden-golden-248.html. April 1, 2019.
  61. Gregory 2002, p. 298, See entry "LEE Geddy (Gary)"; p. 305, See entry "LIFESON Alex"; pp. 398–399, See entry "PEART Neil".
  62. Web site: Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock 12/7/17. Hubbard. Riley. December 7, 2017. WGZZ Wings 94.3. en-US. March 30, 2019.
  63. November 12, 1994 . [{{Google books|aAgEAAAAMBAJ|page=14 |plainurl=yes}} That's The Ticket! ]. Billboard . USA. Howard Lander . 14. Google books. March 30, 2019.
  64. News: UPI. Hall of Famer. Leader-Times . Kittanning, Pennsylvania . October 12, 1977 . 8 . . April 2, 2019.
  65. Web site: Elton John Original Madison Square Garden Gold Ticket Award Presented to Elton John . Gotta Have Rock & Roll. April 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190403201152/https://www.gottahaverockandroll.com/elton_john_original_madison_square_garden_gold_tic-lot21628.aspx/. April 3, 2019.
  66. Web site: When Led Zeppelin Played Their Last U.S. Concert. Kielty. Martin. July 24, 2017. Ultimate Classic Rock. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302112639/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/led-zeppelin-last-us-show/. March 2, 2018. live. April 16, 2019.
  67. Web site: Sly Stone Surprises Grammys with Rare Appearance. March 25, 2015. Fox News. en-US. April 16, 2019.
  68. Web site: Enigmatic Sly Stone, scheduled to perform in Santa Rosa, can be elusive as a ghost. Beck. John. October 3, 2008. Santa Rosa Press Democrat. April 16, 2019.

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