Hello Cleveland!


This is an improbable story for the normally-stodgy Economist: "Turning rebellion into money - Why old rockers are squeezing back into leather trousers meant for men half their size":

Ageing rockers are almost indecently keen to shout to the world through towering speakers that they have still "got it". Many claim that the mid-sixties to around 1980 were unsurpassed golden years in the history of rock music. And so audiences are given opportunities to judge for themselves - again and again. The 55-year-old Sting has laid down his lute to reform The Police, currently on a worldwide tour. Genesis, never scared to over-extend a tune, recently got back together for a belated encore. In recent years, and despite the inevitable losses to the rock‘n’roll lifestyle, the Eagles, Queen, Pink Floyd, Cream and a host of other music-makers have hit the road again.

Despite the riches accumulated by these titans of rock in their heydays most commentators suggest that cash is the motivating force. "Musical differences" generally precipitated the acrimonious splits that took the bands off the road in the first place. But time and money - and there is plenty of profit to be made - are great healers.

The list of acts appearing at the Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun casinos read like the Top 40 list from Billboard, circa 1986. Hall & Oates? Check! Joan Jett? Check! Deborah ("Debbie") Gibson? Check!

As in "where's my check?"