You make a lot of good points treken. I was one of the 1st people to see play in the UK at a half full Glasgow Apollo in 1977 and saw the every tour up to and inc the Hold Your fire tour.
The release of a new LP was a major event and I purchased every album from AFTK up to G.U.P on the day of release but then they lost me.
For that 10 or so years (@77-@87) I was a fanatic but unfortunately the music they started to produce didn't turn me on, Plus they stopped touring the UK. After a long break of even playing the old albums I started to listen to them again and fell in love with them all over again but the albums that left me flat still do I'm afraid.
Iwas at R30 in Glasgow (2nd row) and will be at the S&A gig (2nd row again)
LONG LIVE ......once a fan always a fan