The Orange County Fair has come and gone this year, and a recent edition of the Los Angeles Times included an article about the "riders" and market value of the performers at the fair. For those of you who don't know, riders are items that are requested by the performers. Here's some information from that article.
"Linda Ronstadt, who was paid $100,000 for one performance, insists that four kinds of doctors be available: a throat specialist, a general practitioner, a dentist and a chiropractor. A certified massage therapist also needs to be on standby.
"We certainly try to provide whatever we can that's on their list. Usually we do pretty well," said John Sullivan, entertainment producer for the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa. "Each artist has their own unique preparation for their performance that we try to respect."
In its contract, Big Head Todd & the Monsters seeks one "bottle of Vodka (Ketel One, Stoli, Absolut, Skyy), or one bottle of smoooooooooth Tequila (Petron [sic], Herradura, Cuervo Gold, etc.) or one bottle of Scotch (Dears [sic], Glen-this, Glen-that, Glen anything)."
Paul Simon's contract doesn't specify special meals or food. When his crew arrives today, it will include a personal caterer, said Jeff Willson, a spokesman for the fair.
As the highest-paid artist at this year's fair, it's a luxury Simon can afford.
The pay for headline performers at this year's Pacific Amphitheater Summer Concert Series, which is part of the Orange County Fair:
Paul Simon: $325,000, plus 85% of the gross box-office revenue.
The Moody Blues: $300,000.
Velvet Revolver: $275,000.
Steve Miller Band: $225,000, plus $7,500 bonus if more than 7,500 tickets are sold.
Scorpions: $220,000.
Seal: $200,000.
Bill Cosby: $150,000.
Linda Ronstadt: Minimum $100,000.
Hawthorne Heights: $100,000.
Chris Isaak: $100,000.
Cyndi Lauper: $100,000.
Switchfoot: $90,000.
Michael Bolton: $85,000, plus $10,000 bonus for sold-out show.
The All-American Rejects: $85,000.
Gnarls Barkley: $75,000.
Shaggy: $65,000.
X: $55,000.
Lifehouse: $40,000.
Maldita Vecindad: $40,000.
Julieta Venegas: $40,000.
John Kay & Steppenwolf: $35,000.
David Crowder Band: $30,000.
Jefferson Starship: $30,000.
Big Head Todd & the Monsters: $25,000.
Here are some of the perks in the artists' contracts:
The All-American Rejects
1 jar of honey, preferably the little bear
1 package of Juicy Juice, all flavors
1 bottle of wine from this list: Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon, Hendry Zinfandel, Q Syrah, Ancien Pinot Noir
1 bottle of Bonny Doon Muscat dessert wine
Gnarls Barkley
1 bucket of fried chicken (20 pieces)
1 bag of Snickers Miniatures
1 dozen Dunkin or Krispy Kreme doughnuts
1 pack of Magnum condoms
1 pack of Swisher Sweets Blunt cigars
Steve Miller Band
The band requires promoters, sponsors and venue staff to use "all recycling opportunities available in your locale, and the application of as many reusable, nonpolluting products as possible. The production also appreciates any efforts which can be made to donate unused food and beverages to local food banks and charities."
Bill Cosby
A sweatshirt with the O.C. Fair's logo on the top left-hand corner. "The phrase HELLO FRIEND should be stitched onto the front of the sweatshirt. HELLO in one line, and FRIEND in a separate line. Each letter should be three (3) inches in height, and multicolor if available; if not, the same color for each letter is fine.
"This message is in memory of Mr. Cosby's son Ennis Cosby. This is how Ennis would greet people, by saying, 'Hello friend.' "
