I would like to respond to Greg Kot’s coverage regarding the Smashing Pumpkins’ proposal to perform a free concert in Grant Park. His remarks indicate a major misunderstanding of the city’s intentions and handling of the band. In one account (“Pumpkins answer wishes of charity–and fans,” Tempo, July 9), Kot stated that the mayor’s proclamation presented to the Smashing Pumpkins for its New World Music Theatre performance was too little too late. The proclamation capped off a long process of the city’s attempt to accommodate the Pumpkins.
When a representative for the Pumpkins came to my office in late March to discuss an early July concert, the proposal was based specifically on a request to play a concert at the Petrillo Music Shell during Taste of Chicago, with free admission. Because the band requested that the concert not be sponsor-supported, the city was asked to cover sound and stage production costs.
Although the time frame for such a huge concert was very short, and the safety and financial challenges were large, my staff and I took the Pumpkins’ offer very seriously. It was an honor that Chicago’s most famous alternative rock band would donate its time and talent to the city.
Our office took this proposal so seriously that we met with necessary city departments several times to work through as many issues as possible. All meetings were conducted in strict confidence until an official decision was reached. Although we made progress on dates and costs, the estimated crowd size could have been as large as 500,000 and would be impossible to accommodate safely on Butler Field adjacent to the Petrillo Music Shell.
At that point, and only at that point, did my office make an official decision not to hold the concert but seek other ways to assist the band in launching its new CD and national tour. That is also when negotiations shifted to Soldier Field, where production costs were naturally more expensive because of labor and rental costs for stage setup and playing-field protection. In fact the Chicago Park District reduced its fees quite substantially to accommodate what had become a Smashing Pumpkins’ charity concert.
But as it turned out, the concert did not take place at Soldier Field. It was moved to the New World Music Theatre in Tinley Park on July 7, and the Pumpkins successfully raised $500,000 for the Northern Illinois Make-A-Wish Foundation.
What the city wanted all along was exactly what the Smashing Pumpkins had asked for at the very first meeting–a safe, quality concert experience.
