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Perry Farrell to Receive Inaugural Apple Award, Give Keynote Q&A At Billboard Touring Conference & Awards
October 25, 2011
By Ray Waddell, Nashville
In observance of the 20th anniversary of the death of legendary promoter Bill Graham, the inaugural Apple Award will be given to Jane's Addiction/Lollapalooza co-founder Perry Farrell at the eighth annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, taking place at New York's Roosevelt Hotel Nov. 9-10.
Bill Graham's death shocked the concert world when he was killed in a helicopter crash near Vallejo, Calif., 20 years ago today (October 25) as he was headed home from a Huey Lewis & the News gig at the Concord Pavilion. Considered by many as the founding father of the contemporary concert promotion business, Graham famously gave patrons of his legendary Fillmore West in San Francisco an apple-or two-at shows, and was notoriously obsessed with improving the fan experience. In honor of Graham's focus on customer service and his skills as a promoter, the Apple will go to a visionary artist or touring professional who goes the extra mile in making sure fans enjoy an exemplary concert experience.
Farrell launched Lollapalooza as a trailblazing touring festival 20 years ago with the intent of revolutionizing the fan experience. From its circus theme to its focus on social issues, Farrell endeavored to uplift the entire cultural impact of the live music experience. In the process, Lollapalooza forever raised the bar for immersive music events. That mission continues to this day with the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago's Grant Park, produced win conjunction with William Morris Endeavor and C3 Presents, and, beginning this year, at Lollapalooza Chile.
Kanye West, Jane's Addiction, Killers Headlining Lollapalooza Chile
Also at the Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, Farrell will take part in what's sure to be a fascinating Q&A session with Billboard Executive Editor Bill Werde on Nov. 10. While Farrell is perhaps best known for his vision with Lollapalooza, his views on the live business-and the music business in general-remain controversial and cutting edge. The artist is enjoying a particularly creative and productive period these days, having just launched Lolla Chile earlier this year and released the first Jane's Addiction album in eight years in "The Great Escape Artist," followed by more touring from the incendiary live act. In 2012, Lolla will return to Chicago and Santiago, Chile, and debut in Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 7-8.
The Billboard Touring Awards honor the industry's top artists, venues and professionals for the year, based on actual data compiled through the Billboard Boxscore chart. This awards reception culminates the two-day Billboard Touring Conference, presented by ShowClix, taking place at Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on November 9-10. The conference unites today's top touring professionals to discuss the current state of the industry. This unique event includes provocative panels, productive roundtables and networking opportunities with touring industry power players and decision makers.