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Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

Last post Wed, Oct 21 2009, 1:06 PM by Zazzaliss. 7 replies.
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  •  Fri, Jul 10 2009, 8:51 AM 148738

    Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

    Reposted from "The Scavenger":

    A Canadian musician who tried to get United to compensate him for a guitar that was tossed and damaged by a United worker retaliated with a YouTube video. [Tip to Chicago Tribune]

    It all started on March 31, 2008. Dave Carroll and his Sons of Maxwell bandmates were sitting in a plane at O'Hare, waiting to disembark when a fellow passenger cried out:

    "My God, they're throwing guitars out there."

    They looked out the window. They saw a United worker tossing one of their guitars. Carroll discovered later that among those flying instruments was his $3,500 Taylor, which ended up smashed. And so began a nine month saga of trying to get United to pay for the damage. When the airline wouldn't, Carroll made a decision. He said on his site:

    "I promised the last person to finally say 'no' to compensation ... that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world."

    He followed through with his threat. He posted his country ode, "United Breaks Guitars," on YouTube Monday. Since then, the video has been viewed more than half a million times and is a hit with the media.

    United apologized, plans to use the video internally to help "change its culture," and, according to a spokeswoman for the carrier:

    "We are in conversation with one another to make what happened right."

    The lesson here? Don't piss off a musician.

     Check out the video! http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/scavenger/detail%3Fentry_id%3D43314


    ~~~~~

    ...long as the river still runs to the sea, hey lucky you, lucky me...

    GBS Concerts: The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
  •  Fri, Jul 10 2009, 9:47 AM 148740 in reply to 148738

    Re: Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

    I love the fact that a little video, announced to his fans and put on YouTube, would garnish enough support from the online community to have him appear on CNN,CBS,ABC, NPR and any number of newspapers yesterday. The Internet is a powerful tool, isn't it?

    So glad so many people have now 'discovered' Sons of Maxwell! Knowing full well that they've been in the business for years, maybe this will mean "instant success!" Thanks for posting that Nancy.

    Anne


    And when the winds of change begin to blow,
    I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

    Sons of Maxwell

    visit my website!:
    Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com
  •  Fri, Jul 10 2009, 3:39 PM 148746 in reply to 148740

    Re: Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

    AnneInPhilly:

    So glad so many people have now 'discovered' Sons of Maxwell! Knowing full well that they've been in the business for years, maybe this will mean "instant success!"

    Sons of Maxwell are scheduled to play three nights at Milwaukee's Irish Fest this year - perhaps the organizers will have to move them to a larger stage!  Wink   REALLY happy for Dave (and Don)!


    live simply - love generously - care deeply - speak kindly - leave the rest to God
  •  Mon, Jul 27 2009, 7:14 PM 149166 in reply to 148740

    Re: Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

    It sounds like an overstatement but its probably an understatement to say that the world post internet is an entirely different place then the world pre internet. In the music industry careers can be made or broken on a single you tube video.

    I am the fountain of affection
    I'm the instrument of joy
    And to keep the good times rolling
    I'm the boy, I'm the boy,
  •  Tue, Aug 25 2009, 9:49 PM 150718 in reply to 149166

    Re: Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

    Part 2 is out...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-UoERHaSQg


    Sing an unwritten song or repent for the deeds you left undone.- GBS
    If curious means that you trade your routines for something free, the freedom you feel's the whole point of the deal so curious I'll be! - BNL
    Priates over Ninjas!!
  •  Tue, Aug 25 2009, 10:15 PM 150721 in reply to 150718

    Re: Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

    I like the first one better but i got a chuckle from the video none the less lol

    I am the fountain of affection
    I'm the instrument of joy
    And to keep the good times rolling
    I'm the boy, I'm the boy,
  •  Tue, Oct 13 2009, 5:32 PM 153262 in reply to 150721

    Re: Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

    It must have done some good with the airline.  I just flew five legs with United and was greeted by the friendliest and most helpful crews when boarding with my electric bass.  I fortunately didn't have to check it.

    That's a great video and I'm sure it sends shivers down the spines of all muscians traveling with instruments....it does mine..

    I particularly liked the bit at the end proclaiming that no Taylors guitars were harmed in the making of the video..

  •  Wed, Oct 21 2009, 1:06 PM 153642 in reply to 153262

    Re: Sons of Maxwell Get Revenge on United Airlines.

    This summer, Delta Airlines destroyed my priceless Gibson... they dropped it off the luggage truck and ran over it.  It was beyond repair, but "United Breaks Guitars" had come out that same week, and within a month I recieved full compensation.  So it did more than put egg in United's face, amuse people, and warn musicians... it scared the airlines into doing the right thing.  I now own a lovely Santa Cruz which fits my style perfectly.  So... happy ending!
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