[MikeAnon222]

I just got back from the "Big Party" thrown by Harley Davidson to conclude the weekend celebrating their 100th B-Day. There were a couple hundred thousand people at the park along the Lake Michigan lake front tonight waiting for the unnanounced big surprise headliner at tonight's concert. Rumors were circulating about 'The Rolling Stones', U2, Willie Nelson and Bruce Springstein. Instead the Harley folks brought out Tim Magraw for about 60 mintes, Kidd Rock for about 15 mins then Elton John. Everyone was already bored by Tim 'who even likes country music in the biker crowd' MaGraw and let down than Kidd Rock played for such a brief time when Elton 'Gay, Overweight, Romantic, Englishman' started playing. Within 15 mins tens of thousands of people were leaving. The street in front of the park was jammed with dissapointed concert goers from all over the country who were bitching and complaining for the mile walk back to their bikes and cars. Harley Davidson created one of the biggest marketing disasters I have ever seen.

[jocon307]

Wow Mike, and you tonight have written the first draft of this history.

What WERE they thinking? Who's gonna get fired tomorrow? And who knew Elton was so hot for bikers, he is, and you correctly say, a Romantic.

[nwrep]

Wow, that is stunning, but that is what happens when you put a multicultural, transgender-friendly, multi-lingual marketing department in charge of a macho Motorcycle company.

[SengirV]

When you assume the worst, then you are rarely disappointed. I would never go anywhere for a concert where I didn't know who was going to play. Too many stupid bands, individuals I wouldn't walk across the the street to see.

[skr]

Even I, a non-biker, can understand the absurdity of hiring Elton John for such an event.

[farmfriend]

Sounds like they weren't aiming at traditional Harley riders but the rich dot.com types who bought expensive Harleys with their new wealth.

[flashbunny]

I heard rumors about it, but didn't think they'd be true. "Candle In the Wind" for bikers? What the hell were they thinking? I can't wait for the local talk shows tomorrow.

Harley screwed up big time. What a joke.

[Faraday]

So everyone didn't join in a rousing rendition of "YMCA"?

[Think free or die]

Stupid move. We heard Elton John play a couple of years ago. Fortunately, it was on our TV and not a live event, so we could just turn it off. I used to like his music, but he's way past his prime - everything sounded same, same, same. His playing and singing have clearly deteriorated since his younger years.

Even if he were at his best though, this wasn't a good choice for a bunch of bikers. What WERE they thinking!?

[new cruelty]

I read the 150,000 attendees raised around 7.2 mil for MDA.

[CindyDawg]

Didn't know there was a BD party but yall keep the kid and the piano player, ok? Just send Tim (and Faith too) back south where he's appreciated :')

[Xthe17th]

The "Brown Dirt Cowboy" rides his "Harley" up the "Hershey Highway". Perfect. Wheeeee !!

[Vigilantcitizen]

I actually have a good reason to look forward to going back to work Tuesday.

I have a co-worker who recently purchased a new Harley and immersed himself in the wardrobe.

Boy is he going to hear it.

[F.J. Mitchell]

It's kind of queer, the way politicians, manufacturers , Certain church denomonitaions and movie makers are courting homosexuals, if they are as small a minority as they pretend to be.

[Timesink]

Incredibly bad choices of performers, without question. (Though I think the bigger mistake was in announcing "surprise musical guests" in the first place, which always makes people expect something much better than they end up getting.) But in the end, is it going to stop anyone from buying a Harley tomorrow?

[MediaMole]

It was pretty clear for the past two weeks that the "Big Star" would be Elton John. Anything else was pure speculation.

I had a chance to go, but decided to stay home and watch T.V. instead.

[Paleo Conservative]

Maybe Harley Davidson could make a specially painted pink motorcycle.

[prisoner6]

'who even likes country music in the biker crowd'

Well heck lotsat my buds like REAL country...the older stuff up through the outlaws, urban cowbay and even into the 80's.

After that wimmin took over the format, and while some of the new guys have the sound, they don't have the soul.

As far as Elton goes it was a mistake but probably won't come back to bite H-D. As someone else pointed out he probably - and sadly - DOES appeal to Yuppie Bikers (YIKERS).

As for me my next will proobably be an Indian if I can afford it, Honda GW if not (at least they have lots of American parts)or an older H-D if I get nostalgic.

prisoner6

[Petronski]

Cumming...er, coming next year: Michael Jackson and George Michaels.

[Kevin Curry]

Maybe this is what Sir Elton had in mind.

[Travis McGee]

Bike Ping.