Tickets for Billy Joel’s record-setting 11th show at New York’s Madison Square Garden go on sale tomorrow (Jan. 21) and his agent already is “cautiously optimistic” that a 12th show might be added. “We’ll see what the demand is,” says Dennis Arfa, president of Artists Group International and Joel’s agent for 30 years. “I think [Jan. 21] will tell us how far we can go.”
That said, Arfa notes that it is hard to find open dates at the Garden, what with the possibility of basketball and hockey playoff games coming up. The MSG run will begin Monday and wrap April 19. Joel is poised to break Bruce Springsteen’s record of 10 sellouts at the venue, set in 2000.
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— Ray Waddell, Nashville
Two classic Mott The Hoople albums will be reissued in expanded form Feb. 21 via Columbia/Legacy. The new edition 1972’s David Bowie-produced “All the Young Dudes” features seven bonus tracks, while the following year’s “Mott” sports four new selections.
“All the Young Dudes” is rounded out by demos of “One of the Boys,” “Momma’s Little Jewel” and “Ride on the Sun,” the U.K. single version of “One of the Boys,” a 1974 live take on “Sucker” and a run through “All the Young Dudes” with Bowie on lead vocals.
“Mott” is expanded with demos of “Nightmare” and “Honaloochie Boogie,” the B-side “Rose” and a 1973 live version of “Drivin’ Sister.”
— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Prince will tease the March 21 release of his new Universal album, “3121,” with a Feb. 4 stint as the musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” It will be the artist’s first appearance on “SNL” since 1981, according to the network. Steve Martin will host the show for a record-extending 14th time.
The “SNL” visit is Prince’s first major promotional appearance in support of “3121,” which is led by the single “Te Amo Corazon.” The accompanying Salma Hayek-directed video premiered last month on VH1.
— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.