Bar Quote by Del Shannon
“If it's a whole show of my own, I'll do more of what I think Del Shannon is. But for shows like Disneyland, I'll just do mainly hits. That's what they want to hear. I don't want to bore people. If I wanted that much to play nothing but 12 new songs, then I should go do it in a bar somewhere for peanuts.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Music Industry Interview, 1970s
He balances artistic desire with audience expectations, choosing familiar hits for large venues while reserving experimental work for smaller settings.
In simple terms: He plays hits for big crowds, saves new songs for intimate shows.
Key Takeaway
Match setlist to venue size and audience taste.
Themes
artistic compromise
audience expectations
career strategy
Mood
pragmatic
reflective
Type
advice
strategic
When to use this quote
- large concerts
- intimate venues
- record label negotiations
- songwriting sessions
- tour planning
Key Concepts
music industry
creative freedom
commercial pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which songs to debut live?
- What trade‑offs exist between creative risk and commercial success?
A Different Perspective
Risk of stagnation if over‑relying on hits; may limit artistic growth.
