Our Top Five Stories – 2/10

Here are our top five stories of the day, as determined by Pollstar.com readers.

5. Live Nation, Ticketmaster Announce Merger – Come on, admit it. If anyone told you last month that Ticketmaster and Live Nation would attempt a merger, you’d wonder what that person had been smoking. We posted two reports about the merger. This one was simply a block and paste of the actual press release. Sure, it was a lengthy read, but it displayed the corporate-think of the major players involved. And among the reader comments, the announced merger inspired lyninvenice to remark, “They’ve clamped down on the only independent piece left – look out musicians! They’ll be selling you space on the sidewalk to BUSK in next!!”

4. Good News For Grammys – The Grammy Awards telecast scored 2 million more viewers than last year, and featured more performances and fewer awards. Hmmm… maybe they’re on to something.

3. Live Nation / Ticketmaster Merger Announcement Nears – We posted this before the official press release landed in our inbox. What strikes us is that Pollstar.com readers preferred this news item to the actual announcement. Or maybe they just wanted to linger in a world where Ticketmaster and Live Nation haven’t yet agreed to merge.

2. Interpol Checks For Fake Agent – Stories about con artists scamming local promoters with fake shows are always popular. The show in question was supposed to star Depeche Mode. Needless to say, this concert ain’t happening.

1. Buena Vista Social Club Bassist Dies – It’s always sad when a musician passes. Especially one that’s made so much history. Here’s to Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez, the “heartbeat” of Cuba’s marvelous Buena Vista Social Club.