It’s been seven years since Garth Brooks came to town in 2015 for a four-day, six-show stop at what was then known as First Niagara Center, and before that it had been 17 years since the music superstar country hadn’t happened in Buffalo.
Brooks has a date set for Saturday, July 23 for Highmark Stadium, so he’ll be performing in front of roughly the same number of fans in one night as he has done over six shows at the arena. Brooks will also perform in the round.
Garth Brooks is the best-selling solo artist of all time and second only to The Beatles in terms of overall sales. For reference, Brooks has sold more units than The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen combined.
His impact on the country music genre cannot be overstated, Brooks did for country music what Elvis and the Beatles did for rock and roll. And as of today, rock music is a declining genre and country music is booming.
Brooks still has many years ahead of him as a viable touring act. Brooks accomplished the unthinkable not only when he quit touring and recording in 2000 to spend time with his family, but when he returned to touring 13 years later and his popularity had not waned.
When Brooks released his self-titled debut album in 1989, the pop charts were dominated by artists like Milli Vanilli, Will To Power, Roxette and Fine Young Cannibals. It was his next album, “No Fences” with classics such as “Friends in Low Places”, “Thunder Rolls” and “Unanswered Prayers” that propelled Brooks to international superstardom. His first two albums both achieved diamond sales certification, meaning over 10,000,000 units sold.
One or two hit records don’t always equal longevity in the music industry, and Brooks produced eight mega-selling records from 1989 to 1999 before releasing “Garth Brooks in…the Life of Chris Gaines” , a failed rock record. to live up to expectations, but did not negatively impact Brooks’ career.
Although he achieved commercial success as a session musician, it was in the live setting that Brooks cemented his legendary status. Prior to Garth Brooks’ arrival, most country music shows were reserved affairs where the artist didn’t move much on stage and connected with the audience through personal stories during song introductions.
In a live setting, Brooks combined the musical sensibility of great country performers with the showmanship of famous arena rockers. Brooks’ live shows are shows with plenty of room for audience participation, and Brooks always performs with childlike enthusiasm and commands the stage in a way only Bruce Springsteen or Mick Jagger can match.
Tickets for Garth Brooks’ show at Highmark Stadium were supposed to go on sale last month, but Brooks delayed the sale out of respect for the victims of Tops’ Buffalo shooting. The new on-sale date is Friday, June 17 at 10 a.m. and they’ll all be priced at $98.50.
