Hund-reds of students flocked to the Bryce Jordan Center, Eisenhower Auditorium and the HUB-Robeson Center yesterday to score cheap tickets to see Maroon 5 later this spring.

And why shouldn't they? Penn State students with a valid student ID could purchase tickets for only $9.75.

As a fan of various types of live music, I was one of those fools, but not because I "heart" the band or want to bear 41 of Adam Levine's children, but because I love the ticket prices and the concert atmosphere.

As I willingly paid the student price for my Maroon 5 ticket, I began to think of my concert history, and how many time I didn't pay $9.75.

And then I got angry.

Over the past seven years, I have rocked out at a ton of concerts.

A conservative estimate would put my attendance record at about 50 and the money I have spent on tickets at nearly $2,000. What can I say?

Some people like to shop, some people like to fix up their cars; I simply like to go to concerts.

And I have seen virtually everyone, including Aerosmith, Kenny Chesney, U2, Goo Goo Dolls, Jimmy Buffett, 311, Bon Jovi and of course, Dave Matthews Band (29 times, last time I counted).

Way back in the day, I saw Oasis and spent $20 on a ticket. And they were big back then.

Anyone who says they did not like them at least a tiny bit is lying. Anyway, $20, that is it! Nowadays, I can't get a tour shirt for $20. What's up with that?

I look back on those prices like an old geezer and wonder where those days have gone. I spent $212 on two U2 tickets last week, and I guess I have grown used to outrageous prices because I really didn't think twice about it.

It is U2, and they are a quality band, and I am excited to see them again.

I think Bono is a great guy, but for $212? And they aren't even floor seats.

If he is such the humanitarian, why is he sucking the life out of my wallet? And don't tell me he made me see him. I know I made a rational choice.

And you cannot possibly tell me the band needs the money. They have been around forever and have made more than anyone in Ireland ever will.

I am sure they aren't going hungry with the ads they are making for Apple. Unos, dos, tres, catorce ... billion dollars in revenue this year alone.

Like I said, I am a fan, so I paid the bill and will see them in May. However, I can only think of a handful of bands I would actually pay that price to see (only the Rolling Stones, Madonna and Billy Joel come to mind).

Later this spring I am also seeing Maroon 5 at another venue, where the full-price ticket costs about $50.

I simply refused to pay that price, especially since I am not a huge fan and I am seeing them in March, but someone kind decided my company was worth them footing the bill for my ticket.

Now where do these guys get off charging $50 a ticket? I mean, what are they really going to play? And how long will they be on stage? I guess perhaps they will play every song from "Songs About Jane" three times?

I guess it is getting harder and harder to put out more than one album every two years.

And gee, let's see. There is Tim McGraw. I have seen him and his band twice now, and the first show was really good.

I enjoyed the set and obviously liked him enough to go back and see him again.

But then I bought a $75 ticket to see him here when he played the exact same set, and I was somewhat disappointed.

He may be a real good man, but for 75 slices of College Pizza, he also should be a real good act. Do not write in about that either; I have his albums, memorabilia and probably know more about him than many ever will.

With variety in mind, I cannot help buy mention that I have seen Dave Matthews Band several times in my life, and I also have not seen anything close to the same set twice.

Whereas I would expect seeing the same set from a band like Maroon 5 with only a limited number of songs in their repertoire, McGraw could have done better.

And what is the deal with the Ticketmaster shenanigans?

One company that sells tickets to every show on the planet at every venue on the planet. Come on now.

They can charge whatever they want for their lame service charges but you cannot see a show without paying them.

If that doesn't scream Monopoly, I guess only the Hasbro board game does.

For me, the concert experience is all about the atmosphere.

I love few things more then heading out to a show on a warm summer night and getting toasted with 25,000 of my closest friends.

Unfortunately, if these prices continue to climb, those nights will be few and far between, but hey, I figure downloading the live show on Kazaa might be a good way to let them know how I feel.

You take my fun, I take your revenue. Sound good, Metallica?