Rock on

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Rock on - Culture/Entertainment Group Travel
Rock on

© 2012 Group Tour Media Blog,
June 6, 2012

Without irony, I want to admit a love for a certain genre of music that’s having another day in the sun. This music involves big sounds and even bigger hair.

The movie Rock of Ages hits the movie theaters June 15, building on the success of the Broadway musical. I have to admit, I loved it as soon as I saw the trailer. Seeing Tom Cruise dressed like Axl Rose and singing Bon Jovi should have struck as some kind of heresy, but I found it really delightful. That’s the thing about late '80s rock (or hair metal), it’s all about the fun.

Perhaps I love it because I am too young to remember the classic rock of the ’60s and ’70s. When I first started listening to the radio, long-haired musicians like Poison, Warrant and Slaughter ruled the airwaves. It wasn’t quite heavy metal or rock ’n’ roll, but my 13-year-old self thought it was great. My thirtysomething self still loves it, even though I know it’s a cliché.

Tour planners have many options for weaving hair band music into their itineraries. As groups are getting younger, these out-of-the-box options just may attract the attention of a new generation of travelers.

Most of the major movie theater chains offer group discounts or will rent out theaters. Since movie-going is such common currency these days, it makes perfect sense to include it on a tour. It would be a whole lot of fun to see Rock of Ages with a group.

The stage show that inspired the musical is still rocking the Broadway stage — bringing the tale of big hair and big dreams in the 1980s to buoyant life. For 10 or more tickets, Broadway.com offers special discounts for the show at the Helen Hayes Theatre.

  

	Photo: © Joan Marcus
	Rock of Ages was nominated for five Tony Awards in 2009.

Many of the actual bands are out touring, playing county fairs, theaters and stadiums far and wide.

The Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas is going hair band crazy this summer. On Saturday nights this summer, some of these former sporters of big hair are playing shows in the concert series called Rock of Vegas. Cover bands will rock the stages nightly through Labor Day weekend at this top Las Vegas attraction. 

As Steve Perry from Journey so eloquently said: “Anyway you want it, that’s the way you need it.”

I’m not entirely sure what he’s talking about ;), but that wisdom applies to group tours too. Today’s people love fun movies, live music and enertaining Broadway shows. 

Why not give groups what they want?

There are many more articles available in our Group Tour Media article archive.