BIG BANG AMAZON

by **yogi** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:42 am

I'm all over this board today!!!!! Alot of you here seem to take stock in amazon.com rankings. Heres one for you..... Yesterday, Amazon.com had Big Bang Theory ranked at something like 16,785. Today they are ranked at 14,125. They have moved up well over 2,000 places!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!

I wonder how many CD's they sold between yesterday and today to move up over 2,000 places???? This bad boy could reach #1!!!!! In your face Dennis!!!!! Then again, could it be these rankings are a TOTAL CROCK of SHI T!!!!!!

by **yogi** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:31 am

It has now moved up to 6,114. Thats over 8,000 spots!!! Number 1 looooook out!!!!!!!!

by **bugsymalone** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:07 am

That is very good for pre-sale. It was higher than that when I saw it. In the 5,000's, but then so were Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight.

I think when/if it makes it into the 1500's, it is selling pretty good. Anything 1-1000 is a good enough seller that they update that info every hour, I believe.

It has been awhile since I asked them the significance of those rankings, though.

Bugsy

by **Ash** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:31 am

Jesus calm down. These are sales figures for Amazon.com.... if they can't get into the top 200 on amazon.com - there is no way in hell they'll see the top 200 of Billboard.

An album that isn't even in print "Tony Carey: Retrospective" that is only sold through people who have copies to sell ranks below 5000 now... and Styx is currently at 7713.

You're being beaten out by a 5 year old greatest hits record for an obscure artist.

congratulations

by **swwskj** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:18 am

Ash,

That certainly puts it into perspective. That noise everyone's hearing is a big reality slap.

Scott

by **yogi** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:55 am

I didnt post this this morning, but at about 10am I went to Amazon.com to find Big Bang at 21,766. I investigated further to find out that 7 people had cancelled their orders. This caused Big Bang to slip some 14,000 places.

No need to fear 9 new people must of added it to their shopping carts because Big Bang is now ranking 4,108. I'm picking my spot to order mine.

# 1 LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

by **classicstyxfan** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:07 am

Yeah, that 62nd order will no doubt put BBT into the top 1,000 !

Think of it !!! 62 X 14.99 X Styx's 20 pecent of all sales divided by 5 members = a net profit of $36.95 PER MEMBER !!!!!!

WHOO HOO !!!!!!!!!!!!

by **yogi** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:18 am

You are forgetting the 23 orders from Best Buy.com and the 19 orders from Circut City.com. Sorry six of the Circut City orders are still in the shopping cart. Mooooooore later!

by **classicstyxfan** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:16 am

Well, HECK ! I guess if you look at the big picture, by this time next month, all of the boys will be THOUSAND-AIRES !!!! ( but not quite millionaires )

by **Ash** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:38 am

23 + 19 + 9 = they still don't break the top 200.

You're smoking crack if you think this album will amount to anything more than a hill of beans.

I predict it will not even sell as many as William Hung's last record.

by **swwskj** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:13 am

I predict it will not even sell as many as William Hung's last record.

you know what is truly sad? that may very well be a true statement. it speaks volumes of what people will waste $15 on anymore. (the Hung CD that is)

Scott

by **classicstyxfan** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:44 am

Maybe Styx should have covered "SHE BANGS" !!!!!

It might have sold a few CD's for 'em.........

by **bugsymalone** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:21 am

I predict it will not even sell as many as William Hung's last record.

That dang William Hung outsold a LOT of artists. Which gives truth to the old saw that there is no accounting for taste in an awful lot of people.

Maybe Styx should have covered "SHE BANGS" !!!!!

Now THERE's an idea! Wonder if they can squeeze that one in at the last minute??

:wink:

Bugsy

by **gr8dane** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:39 am

The Big she-bangs theory.
With Hung on back-up vocals .wunderbar.

by **swwskj** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:02 pm

All this talk of amazon rankings got me a little curious. I thought I'd research some recent releases of both Styx and Dennis. The results for both are nothing to brag about.

Styx Greatest Hits-769
Complete Wooden Nickel-1534
Pieces of Eight-2297
Grand Illusion-2485
Dennis Live Music of Styx-3255
Anthology Come Sail Away-3662
Big Bang Theory-4938
Brave New World-11764
Equinox-12966
Caught in the Act-13141
Dennis 10 on Broadway-14602 (I was shocked by this one)
Return to Paradise-14622
Dennis Ultimate Collection-17424
Dennis Desert Moon-19902
Kilroy Was Here-48855
Cyclorama-57299
ArchAllies-64221
Tommy Shaw 7 Deadly Zens-92175
Styxworld Live-105997
21st Century Live-112529
Rockers-118714
Live at the Rivers Edge-121973
James Young Out on a Day Pass-163802

and last and nearly least

James Young City Slicker-365070

Scott

by **bugsymalone** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:24 pm

These rankings change all the time, but I have noticed that Styx Greatest Hits is consistently in the top 1000. Often in the top 500 and above. It seems to have very steady sales on Amazon.

I have no idea what the other figures mean, honestly.

Bugsy

by **ek88** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:53 am

You know, I've wondered what effect all this touring has had on sales of the Grand Illusion. They seem to play GI, FY, and CSA at every show, and MA makes plenty of appearances, as well. Tommy seems to mention the album pretty regularly during the shows, as well. I'm always quick to look at Cyclorama sales as an indicator for the new lineup, but I always forget about the older albums.

by **yogi** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:21 am

A few points about Cyclorama sales and Amazon.com. First off, when Cyclorama sales were shown here ( only 1 time ) the sales figures did NOT include ANY internet sales or sales at concerts. Since most of us are pretty damn ancient and own credit cards we do use the internet to purchase the majority of our music. I would render to bet that today groups such as Styx, Journey, The Stones,REO do upwards of 70 % of their CD sales off of the internet and maybe another 5-10 of their sales at concerts. Since Cyclorama sales did NOT reflect ANY internet or concert sales how do we REALLY know the numbers sold.

As for knowing what CD's are doing well based on Amazon.com rankings thats even more bull. I would also render to bet that OVER 80% of our youth purchase their music at record stores/ Wal Mart etc.. Since most young people dont own credit cards they purchase it with cash, checks, Mom or Dads money etc..

In closing were pretty damn old as far as music goes. Our taste in music is not the same as todays youth. Styx is a 70's supergroup. Its 2005. Lets go back to The Grand Illusion and 1977. Then backtrack 28 years. What group was real popular back in 1951????? How do you think their sales were in 1977???

The Cyclorama numbers are bull, Amazon rankings are even more bull and mean less than zero on TODAYS music scene. Finally Big Bang will probably sell a few more units than DDY's live Greatest Hits or the rerelease of The Wooden Nickel package. Unless some how they get a remake hit from that CD it will sell about 100,000 units. Is that good or bad from a 70's group??????????????????????????????

by **Ash** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:27 am

yogi wrote:A few points about Cyclorama sales and Amazon.com. First off, when Cyclorama sales were shown here ( only 1 time ) the sales figures did NOT include ANY internet sales or sales at concerts. Since most of us are pretty damn ancient and own credit cards we do use the internet to purchase the majority of our music. I would render to bet that today groups such as Styx, Journey, The Stones,REO do upwards of 70 % of their CD sales off of the internet and maybe another 5-10 of their sales at concerts. Since Cyclorama sales did NOT reflect ANY internet or concert sales how do we REALLY know the numbers sold.

As for knowing what CD's are doing well based on Amazon.com rankings thats even more bull. I would also render to bet that OVER 80% of our youth purchase their music at record stores/ Wal Mart etc.. Since most young people dont own credit cards they purchase it with cash, checks, Mom or Dads money etc..

You do realize that you just completely and totally contradicted yourself in the span of 5 sentences. On one hand, 70% of everyone buys Styx records off the net, and then Amazon's rankings are irrelevant because 80% of our youth buy them at music stores.

Which is it dude?

The Cyclorama numbers are bull, Amazon rankings are even more bull and mean less than zero on TODAYS music scene. Finally Big Bang will probably sell a few more units than DDY's live Greatest Hits or the rerelease of The Wooden Nickel package. Unless some how they get a remake hit from that CD it will sell about 100,000 units. Is that good or bad from a 70's group??????????????????????????????

You were the one bragging about how OMFG NUMBER ONE HERE WE COME. WE'RE GOING TO THE TOP!. Why did you make such a big deal out of it if you 're going then talk about how it means nothing?

by **yogi** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:41 am

Ash,

Its a HUGE contradiction thats why a 70's group will NEVER hit it big again.
When figuring sales, do you think they figure in convience store cassette sales??
Name a famous puppet whose internet name consists of more than 3 letters???? I cant think of any!!!!!!

by **Ash** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:44 am

yogi wrote:Ash,

Name a famous puppet whose internet name consists of more than 3 letters???? I cant think of any!!!!!!

I don't understand what you're saying with this. I'm just poining out the inconsistency and trying to provide some insight and it seems like you're trying to turn this into something personal.

I guess that is what happens when you can't or won't answer the question.

You have no facts to back up the percentages you are presenting and then contradicting those percentages from paragraph to paragraph. All I am seeking is clarification. Didn't mean to make your brain melt.

by **yogi** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:53 am

The point is we are NOT very relevant in the grand scheme of popular music any more.

#1 in Amazon. com might mean 5,000 units ordered in a week, while Britney sells that in a day at a single Wal Mart in bumble fuc k, Oklahoma.

People slammed Cyclorama sales because it was reported that it had only sold 50,000 copies after about 1 month after release. But the sales did not include ANY internet or concert sales. That might of meant an additional 50,000 more units that now brings it up quite a bit. Is that even close to Cornerstone???? Hell no, but....... Its not 1979 anymore. I read where Styx shipped over 1,000,000 copies of Cornerstone back in 1979. How many do you think they print now?????

As for what I wrote about Big Bang can you spell sarcasim??? I sure cant!!!!!!

by **SuiteMadameBlue** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:53 am

I think Amazon is the way we can follow how many are sold or where they rank day to day (the cds) to compare, right now.

I think we've been here before. First, we need to know how many cd's were pressed/made. Then you need to know where they were distributed, on-line websites, stores, concerts, etc. Then we need to know how many are left after everyone's done with inventory (which is usually done weekly). I have no clue if this information is on-line from the record companies.

I don't know what else to add :roll:

by **Ash** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 3:01 am

Ok - well I'm a bit hopelessly lost on this so perhaps I should just not comment... I can see where the sarcasm could have been intended in the earlier posts, but I actually didn't take them saracastically. Sorry if I misunderstood something... it tends to happen

I've never given much creedence to Amazon's ratings... mostly because they're all over the place... no way to gague a trend. With Billboard you can gague trends. What does the ranking mean? It's #41,328 during what period? Last hour? Last day? Last week? There really isn't enough detail on that page to tell me and I actually don't care enough to really look it up.

So - in short - sorry for any miscommunication. I guess I was "bore-ing in" because I didn't understand the sarcasm or didn't pick up on it. I'll work on that.

Peace

by **bugsymalone** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 3:03 am

The only reason I use Amazon as a benchmark, and Yogi is right, it only reflects a portion of the purchases made of ANY item, is that it reflects what is bought/sold on a nationwide basis. I do believe the top, say, 1000 or so, reflect what is bought in record stores, bookstores, etc.

Once something drops below the 1000 mark, it is very diffcult to gage and compare.

And you can go to Amazon when something hits the market , or gets a lot of sudden publicity, and see how that shows up on the sales there. All of the Ray Charles catalog shot way up after the Grammy's.

If Styx can get some national push on the covers CD, then my guess is we will see it in the Amazon sales numbers as well.

And Yogi, Amazon gift certificates are a BIG DEAL with kids. They don't need a credit card at all for that.

Bugsy

by **swwskj** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:31 am

Yogi,

I sorta know where you are going with the 'backtrack 28 years' idea, but there are some exceptions. The Beatles 'Number Ones' album went to #1 a couple of years back & that was further back than 28 years. In 1977 Elvis had been around almost 28 years and was still big (not from Jelly Doughnuts exclusively) he was still big in 1987 and 1997 and probably will be Huge in Mississippi in 2007.

The demographic the record co.s shoot for is like 13-25 or so. I know personally my record buying has gone WAY down. So for an artist over 40 to sell big they have got to hit a huge percentage of people in the same age bracket.

The only thing I found interesting in the Amazon rankings is that it gives an idea of sales across a large internet warehouse. Based SOLELY on one website (albeit a large one) the 4 Dennis solo CD's are outselling EVERY single styx 5.0 release with the exception of BBT. But like Bugsy pointed out, these numbers are very volitale with literally a few albums sold swaying a number drastically.

Scott

by **yogi** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:54 am

Thats exactly what I meant two people ordering Big Bang Theory may cause it to jump 3,000 places.

Saying Cyclorama & Brave New World for that matter sold only x amount and not taking into consideration Amazon.com or any other . com plus concert sales is not even coming close to showing the actual amount sold.

Like Ash said, I knew I was contradicting myself but....... most of the people in our age group buy their music off the . com network. I couldnt tell you the last time I purchased a CD in a mall or even a store like Wal Mart. Still I know thats how the young people buy their music & their the ones purchasing the major major share and setting the music trends.

When I saw Styx at the Far West Rodeo back in 1999 I promise you they sold at least 100 - 150 Brave New World CD's. They have toured their asses off and they sell numerous CD's at each and every venue. It would of kind off been like not counting Debbie Gibson or Tiffanys mall records sold back in the 80's.

Andrew's numbers were NOT solid, and I would bet a months pay they had sold OVER double of what Andrew reported at that time.

by **ChicagoSTYX** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:55 pm

Big Bang is up to 876 this morning on Amazon sales rank.

by **classicstyxfan** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:43 am

whoo hoo ! another 17 sold......

actually, aren't all of the sales to this point based mostly on reputation of the band ? I suppose some of the purchasers have heard the snippets/samples, but I would guess that the vast majority of buyers need the CD to maintain their complete collection of Styx CD's.

does anyone know when will these CD's will begin to ship ?

by **Ash** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:57 am

Thing is... I don't buy CD's anymore unless they save me money... thats right ... save me money. I buy stuff off iTunes music store because I don't want to clutter up my home with a rack of CD's.

If I do buy the CD off amazon, it's because I can get it used cheaper than on iTunes... usually I then rip the songs to iTunes and re-sell the CD.

I've actually sold about half my Styx CD's because I just really don't want the clutter. The CD's I've kept are either out of print or otherwise collectible and irreplaceable. I can buy a copy of "Kilroy" for a couple of bucks on Amazon if I ever lost it.

I do, however, also keep back-up copies of my music collection on DVD... to date I have about 40 gigs in iTunes... and I've not nearly encoded all of my library

MR

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