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The kings of Red Rocks: Widespread Panic

Widespread Panic to extend record for most shows played

By Mark Brown, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 26, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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Widespread Panic's final show in a three-night stand this weekend will be the band's 32nd consecutive sellout of Red Rocks.

Widespread Panic's final show in a three-night stand this weekend will be the band's 32nd consecutive sellout of Red Rocks.

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Red Rocks has seen legendary shows by The Beatles, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix and countless others. But it's jam band Widespread Panic of Athens, Ga., that'll extend the record this weekend for the most shows played and the most tickets sold.

Sunday's final show in the three-night stand will be Widespread's 32nd consecutive sellout of Red Rocks.

"They've outdone the Dead. They've outdone Willie Nelson. They've outdone everybody," said promoter Bill Bass.

Fact is, Widespread passed its nearest competition last summer, but no one noticed. This year, the city is acknowledging the band's reign at Red Rocks, with plans to give them a commemorative plaque and perhaps a mayoral proclamation.

At 9,250 tickets per show, that's 296,000 trips to see the band over the years.

"They did have an opening-act show before this count started, when they opened for Blues Traveler," Bass noted, but they're taking the high road and not counting that gig, even if the city has it officially listed.

The run started May 31, 1996, and shows no sign of ending.

"I suspect no one will be at these numbers, because bands don't stay together this long. And bands don't come together every day who can pop out three Red Rocks at a time," Bass said.

Widespread Panic

* When and where: 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday, Red Rocks

* Cost: sold out

* Information: 303-830-8497 or ticketmaster.com.

The undisputed champs

1. Widespread Panic - 32 consecutive sellouts by Sunday

2. Willie Nelson - 26 shows, with No. 27 coming this summer

3. The Grateful Dead - 22 shows

4. Bonnie Raitt - 21 shows

Comments

  • June 27, 2008

    9:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    FredAdams30281 writes:

    All hail the KINGS - congratulations old friends!! Now, if you can play a show that top's last week's Plant/Krauss performance, I'll be all the more impressed.

  • June 30, 2008

    1:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    hikingartist writes:

    Twas a sweet run. From Heroes to Heaven, it was one for the books.