First concert and favorite concert

[LiverpoolWalrus]

OK, let's name the first concert we ever attended and also the best concert we ever saw. Include year and venue if you can. I'll start.

First: The Monkees, Boston Garden, 1967
Favorite: The Doors, Boston Arena, 1970

If ties are allowed, the Wings Over America tour in Atlanta in 1976 would be a tie with the Doors, basically because, to my undying regret, I never got to see the Beatles. My parents didn't want to take me to see them at Suffolk Downs in 1966 and said I was too young for them to just drop me off and pick me up there. But yet *one year later* in 1967, at the ripe old age of 11, they decided I was old enough to see the Monkees!

[Stu from NYC]

Chicago and the Four Seasons I guess but do not remember the dates

[John_W]

...

[Stu from NYC]

1969 and I was 19, and it was Vanilla Fudge. Two years before I in the 11th grade and You Keep Me Hanging On was played on the radio non-stop, in fact in the morning I remember I couldn't leave for school until I heard that song. They came to the Amory in St. Petersburg just off 34th Street South. I got a ticket for about $5 and went. It had no seats, about 2,000 people and you had to sit on the floor. The opening was 5 local bands, each did about half an hour. I don't think any of them made it big, I just remember one sounded like the Association and another had the name The Electric Chairs.

Vanilla Fudge was incredible and Carmen Appice is still my favorite drummer, he was a show in himself. I never saw a drummer before that wore gloves and had a double kick drum. The singer, the Hammond organ, the whole effect was great.

I had one other experience that year, but it didn't start out that way. It was in September I had just started back at SPJC and me couple of other guys decided to go the Bayfront Center to see George Carlin. He was on theater side which held 2,200, it has since been torn down for the Dali Museum. At the box office they said the 8:00 show is sold out, but come back at 10:00 we have seats.

There's nothing to do in St. Petersburg at night back in 1969 for two hours, especially if you're not 21. Someone said, let's to the Electric Zoo out by the airport, you can get in even if you're not 21. We go, I remember a girl in the parking lot asking us for $3.50 to get in, that's how I remember the price.

We walk in and they stamp your hand a different color and give you free Coke, not a bad deal. I go around to see the band and it's two drummers, one white and one black. I hear a singer but I don't see who's singing, I see it's the guy sitting down behind the keyboard. Everybody was not watching him, but this guy with long blonde hair in front waling away on a red guitar.

We watched them all night, then the headliner came out. It was Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys. Their claim to fame was Jimi Hendrix produced their album. If you liked Loggins & Messina type music, they would be a poor man's version. We all yelled and clapped and said bring back the other band. Which they did, and they played until 2am. When finished, the singer said, our debut album comes out in 2 months and I hope you buy it, our name is The Allman Bros.

We did see Vanilla Fudge and Cream and enjoyed them but if you ask me today what their best known songs were have no clue.

Brooklyn Bridge was very good but my all time favorite was Harry Chapin still love his music today. Cats Cradle is his most commonly played song but he did many that were much better especially Taxi.

[mikreb]

First: Doobie Brothers Carowinds 1975
Favorite: Jackson Brown Charlotte Coliseum 1983
Favorite: Rolling Stones Washington DC 1981 (won free tickets on 5th row)

[Bunny1]

OK, let's name the first concert we ever attended and also the best concert we ever saw. Include year and venue if you can. I'll start.

First: The Monkees, Boston Garden, 1967
Favorite: The Doors, Boston Arena, 1970

If ties are allowed, the Wings Over America tour in Atlanta in 1976 would be a tie with the Doors, basically because, to my undying regret, I never got to see the Beatles. My parents didn't want to take me to see them at Suffolk Downs in 1966 and said I was too young for them to just drop me off and pick me up there. But yet *one year later* in 1967, at the ripe old age of 11, they decided I was old enough to see the Monkees!
First -The Beach Boys 1966- Chicago at Mc Cormick Place before it burnt down.
Best- Same as above.

[John_W]

...

[John_W]

...

[LiverpoolWalrus]

1969 and I was 19, and it was Vanilla Fudge. Two years before I in the 11th grade and You Keep Me Hanging On was played on the radio non-stop, in fact in the morning I remember I couldn't leave for school until I heard that song. They came to the Amory in St. Petersburg just off 34th Street South. I got a ticket for about $5 and went. It had no seats, about 2,000 people and you had to sit on the floor. The opening was 5 local bands, each did about half an hour. I don't think any of them made it big, I just remember one sounded like the Association and another had the name The Electric Chairs.

Vanilla Fudge was incredible and Carmen Appice is still my favorite drummer, he was a show in himself. I never saw a drummer before that wore gloves and had a double kick drum. The singer, the Hammond organ, the whole effect was great.

I had one other experience that year, but it didn't start out that way. It was in September I had just started back at SPJC and me couple of other guys decided to go the Bayfront Center to see George Carlin. He was on theater side which held 2,200, it has since been torn down for the Dali Museum. At the box office they said the 8:00 show is sold out, but come back at 10:00 we have seats.

There's nothing to do in St. Petersburg at night back in 1969 for two hours, especially if you're not 21. Someone said, let's to the Electric Zoo out by the airport, you can get in even if you're not 21. We go, I remember a girl in the parking lot asking us for $3.50 to get in, that's how I remember the price.

We walk in and they stamp your hand a different color and give you free Coke, not a bad deal. I go around to see the band and it's two drummers, one white and one black. I hear a singer but I don't see who's singing, I see it's the guy sitting down behind the keyboard. Everybody was not watching him, but this guy with long blonde hair in front waling away on a red guitar.

We watched them all night, then the headliner came out. It was Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys. Their claim to fame was Jimi Hendrix produced their album. If you liked Loggins & Messina type music, they would be a poor man's version. We all yelled and clapped and said bring back the other band. Which they did, and they played until 2am. When finished, the singer said, our debut album comes out in 2 months and I hope you buy it, our name is The Allman Bros.

Great story about seeing the Allman Brothers in their infancy. I have a similar story about U2, seeing them at the Bayou in DC before their first US album came out. But they didn't play nearly that long. In fact they had to do I Will Follow twice because they ran out of songs.

You don't mean Wayne County and the Electric Chairs, do you?

I've always loved that first Vanilla Fudge album. I also got The Beat Goes On, their second album. Didn't care much for the later albums though. They were on the prog cruise I was on a couple of years ago. I'd see Vince Martell and Mark Stein around the ship a lot and chatted with them. Vince was particularly cool. I'm glad they're still around and touring. Come to think of it, like Genesis, they're one of the few 60s/70s bands where all members are still alive. But Vince told me Tim Bogert retired a while ago. Holy WTF---I just checked the internet for the spelling of Bogert's last name and it turns out he just died in January.

[Taltarzac725]

18 July 1974 - Eric Clapton & His Band (https://www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-tour/18/07/1974)

Saw this with my older brother and cousin who is a double cousin as sisters married brothers. This is the first. Favorite was probably BB King in a small room in a Reno, Nevada casino for the price of two drinks. I could literally have touched him on stage if I had stretched out. This was around 1982 or thereabouts.

[John_W]

...

[Stu from NYC]

Vanilla Fudge on Ed Sullivan

You Keep Me Hangin On - Vanilla Fudge - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJAisAwW17o)

Cream - Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton & Ginger Baker

Cream - White Room ( Farewell Concert 1968) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXUHb_l-1HU)

Cream - I feel free (1967) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJktf4aTNvk)

CREAM - SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE - LONDON 21ST NOVEMBER 1967 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0y9jnBShKM)

Cream I'M SO GLAD Live 1968 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_F8otWeFB4)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftgytmgQgE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnJn8XbPeKc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeGyQIgvSV0


.

Thanks now I remember why I liked Cream so much. Sad that nobody seems to be playing their hits.

[Stu from NYC]

The lead singer of the Brooklyn Bridge was Johnny Maestro and they had the hit "It's the Worse Thing that could Happen", earlier Johnny was in a band called the Crests and they had the hit "16 Candles". He died in 2010 at age 70 of cancer.

Johnny Maestro - Worst That Could Happen - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Ol1trgcts)

Sixteen Candles - Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX3qMOoP5Wk)

Was able to see Johnny Maestro with both bands.

[2newyorkers]

First concert was Elton John. Best concert was a different Elton John concert. A really bad storm made the electric go out. It did not stop him from continuing to play and sing. He had everyone on their feet and joining in.

Harry Chapin would come into a bar that I occasionally went to. Sometimes he would sing. A nice memory.

[Kenswing]

First concert was .38 Special at the Midsouth Coliseum sometime in 1982. Was stationed in Memphis and we were hired for stage security.

Best concert was probably the Eagles at the Rose Bowl somewhere around 1994.

[Velvet]

First concert was The Rolling Stones.

Favorite is tied:
SARSfest in Toronto included Justin Timberlake, The Guess Who, Rush, AC/DC, and The Rolling Stones and
3 days Outsidelands in San Francisco with Tom Petty (and 60 other bands)

Does classical music count? Love piano concerts and opera.

[tophcfa]

First, Aerosmith in a free concert at Polaski Park in Northampton, MA before anyone heard of them. Favorites are a tie between seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd a couple weeks before their plane crashed, The Who, and Chicago. I have to also throw in a very small private Jonathan Edwards concert at a friends back yard pond with a pig roast.

Honorable mentions have to be The Almond Brothers and the Grateful Dead at the annual spring concerts at UMASS. And then there is the epic Simon and Garfunkel show at Central Park.

[RedFoxRick]

First concert was Boz Scaggs with Little River Band opening.....and then two weeks later The J Geils Band with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers opening - both in Springfield, Mass.....the best is tough....Three way tie - The Talking Heads in Poughkeepsie NY, Van Morrison in Dublin. IRE (yes he was sober enough this night to perform - which is seldom the case) and Bruce Springsteen at Giants Stadium....

[MandoMan]

First concert: Canned Heat, 1968. I was 15.
Best concert: Tie between Hot Club of Cowtown and Stacy Kent. Both bands are as good in concert as on their CDs. Hot Club of Cowtown is a great little Western Swing band from Austin. Stacy Kent sings jazz standards. Her husband, Jim Tomlinson, is a great sax player.

[Tmarkwald]

So many of these classic bands are out there still performing, although mostly in bits and pieces of the original lineup.

So, why doesn't TV think of booking one of these classic bands, even though not original, into TV for us, on a regular basis? I think we'd all be in agreement that we would pay if they did one of these every couple of months.

Most of these bands also have cover bands that replicate the music very faithfully.

Ahh, just dreaming I suppose....

[jcoyne77]

First: The Eagles 1975
Favorite: Grateful Dead, Englishtown, 1977.
David Bromberg, some college, earlier 80's comes a close 2nd.

[Berferful]

First: The Who, Jefferson Airplane and BB King at Tanglewood June 6 1969. . One week before Woodstock

Favorite: CSN & Y Hartford

[Jewelz]

The Eagles are my ALL time favorite...SO jealous of you that got to see them!!! My first concert was Captain and Tenille with Kenny Rogers as the warm up band in 1973!!!!!
Heart was my concert...1978!

[MickeyStevens]

First concert was a double bill with The Doors and Simon&Garfunkel at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium August 12, 1967.

Favorite concert was The Yes somewhere in the early 70s.

The Doors | Forest Hills Tennis Stadium 1967 (http://mildequator.com/performancehistory/concertinfo/1967/670812.html)

I suppose the following should be in another thread but since my musical tastes changed later in life the first was the late jazz pianist James Williams in a small club in Somerville, Ma. The best was Latin American pianist Michel Camilo(at Regattabar Cambridge, Ma), John Pizzarelli with his wife Jessica Molaskey was a close second.

[La lamy]

First was Genesis in 1978. I didn't get permission to go, so I had to sneak out as a 14 year old to go see it. I sure was a rebel back then!! Favorite was Foo Fighters when they were doing bar shows. They played a full concert in our local bar in Toronto. Insanely intimate and mind blowing.

[Tmarkwald]

First was Genesis in 1978. I didn't get permission to go, so I had to sneak out as a 14 year old to go see it. I sure was a rebel back then!! Favorite was Foo Fighters when they were doing bar shows. They played a full concert in our local bar in Toronto. Insanely intimate and mind blowing.

HA HA HA - you are dating yourself!

[sjeffries]

ELVIS! Miami, FL, Olympia Theater. (1962 approx)

Alanis Morsette, Atlanta in the ‘90’s, maybe

Lee Greenwood, Reba McIntyre, Earl Thomas Conley and others at Concerts in the Country, Atlanta.
This was during the 3 years I actually enjoyed country music. What was I thinking??

[cgw3431]

First: Chicago at the Spectrum in Philadelphia 1970
Favorite: Styx & Journey at the Twitter Center in Camdan, NJ. 1991

[Tmarkwald]

This has got me thinking - a lot. I've been to well over 1000 live concerts, toured with numerous bands as a photographer and it makes it hard to pick my favorite.

For me I'd have to say Bon Jovi 2800 Fahrenheit tour. Although I saw about 150 dates, I think a lot of the enthusiasm has to do with the band's raw talent and hunger to succeed. That translated to the audience in a big way. At that point the band, myself, and the tour manager travelled in the bus together. One bus. It was tight but it was intimate and the preparations these guys did to make sure they succeeded was palpable.

There were a lot of other bands and shows that were memorable - Heart, ACDC, Wierd Al, Tears for Fears, Chicago, Beach Boys, Skid Row (before they were signed), Cinderella, Paul McCartney, Alabama, Ratt, Ozzy, ZZ Top, list goes on.

Second best would have to go to Cinderella or Skid Row - tie . Again, a more personal connection, but maybe the familiarity and the ties with the bands made the experience better, Only one show was I contracted to do that I walked out on - Kiss. They were so incredibly nasty I couldn't handle it.... :)

[daca55]

The Rolling Stones in Lynn Mass in 1967. Ended In a riot and we were all tear gassed. Before the riot the Stones were very good. Jagger brought the crowd to a frenzy and then all hell broke lose.

[Eg_cruz]

Day on the Green, Oakland, CA 1977 Peter Frampton, Fleetwood Mac, UFO and Santa

Best would be Barbra Streisand 1994 in San Jose. It was the best because I was able to take my mom who just loved Barbra

[FredJacobs]

I must be older than most here. My first concert was in 1956 (I was 16) NYC at Carnegie Hall. It was a jazz concert with some of the greats at the time - Illinois Jacquet, Sidney Bechet, etc. Forever memorable.

[jimh123]

The BG's in 1979 at the Capital Center near Wash DC

[jonathanb]

First concert Genesis “the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” 1973 I was 16 at the Philadelphia Civic Center. Favorite the 8 times I’ve seen YES.

[Veiragirl]

OK, let's name the first concert we ever attended and also the best concert we ever saw. Include year and venue if you can. I'll start.

First: The Monkees, Boston Garden, 1967
Favorite: The Doors, Boston Arena, 1970

If ties are allowed, the Wings Over America tour in Atlanta in 1976 would be a tie with the Doors, basically because, to my undying regret, I never got to see the Beatles. My parents didn't want to take me to see them at Suffolk Downs in 1966 and said I was too young for them to just drop me off and pick me up there. But yet *one year later* in 1967, at the ripe old age of 11, they decided I was old enough to see the Monkees!

First Led Zeppelin Asbury Park NJ 1969
Second Yanni Radio City NY 20 1998
:bigbow:

[juscause]

I bought tickets for a Linda Ronstadt concert in suburban Chicago, thinking she was the only act on the program. There were no advertisements otherwise. To my surprise, she introduced a mostly unknown little band called "The Eagles," who proceeded to blow us away with their excellence. I stopped complaining about halfway into their first song.

[BillDyer]

I saw Elvis in 1967 (?) at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis. Could barely hear him because of all ot the screaming going on. Saw John Denver at the Arena in St. Louis in ch1970 doing his yo-yo tricks and singing his great songs. Had a drink at the Ford Hotel in Charleston in 1976 sitting next to a couple with a British accent. Beautiful young lady with a NY baseball cap. Had a nice conversation and talked about joining up and going out to dinner. After about 1/2 hour the maitre D' came up and said "Mr. Jaegger, Bianca, your limo is ready . He was in Concert at Myrtle Beach the night before. We didn't join him for dinner

Bill Dyer
St.Louis
Knoxville
CHicago
Bonita

[JSR22]

First Concert The Beatles August 15, 1965 Shea Stadium NY
Best Concert David Bowie Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars February 14, 1973 Radio City Music Hall NYC.

[dtennent]

Saw the Association when I was in High school in 1968. In college (early 70s), I saw Steve Miller Blues Band, the Grateful Dead, Peter Yarrow (of Peter Paul, and Mary) and Arlo Guthrie. At the Grateful Dead concert, you didn't need to bring anything into the concert since everyone else was smoking grass.

But my most memorable concert was in 1980 at Antioch College. An Irish band, Clannad, played in a small venue (500 capacity) to 24 people. We tried to make up for the lack of people with our enthusiasm and were rewarded by a great concert that went on for over 2 hours. At the end, they said that they almost walked off the stage when they saw the tiny crowd but stayed because of our enthusiasm. Even though we had very little money at the time, we bought two albums afterwards!

[44Apple]

Don't have a favorite, maybe a recent Santana concert.

But first, Ruby & the Romantics, 1966 or 67.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

So many of these classic bands are out there still performing, although mostly in bits and pieces of the original lineup.

So, why doesn't TV think of booking one of these classic bands, even though not original, into TV for us, on a regular basis? I think we'd all be in agreement that we would pay if they did one of these every couple of months.

Most of these bands also have cover bands that replicate the music very faithfully.

Ahh, just dreaming I suppose....

Not dreaming at all. Before the pandemic, the Villages did bring some of these "bits and pieces" of classic bands to our corner of the universe. I've only been here a little more than a year, but I did see the Grassroots at the Savannah Center. Others that have been here include Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits), Fifth Dimension, Gary Puckett (who lives nearby) and many more. Maybe others can fill you in better on this.

[Stu from NYC]

First, Aerosmith in a free concert at Polaski Park in Northampton, MA before anyone heard of them. Favorites are a tie between seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd a couple weeks before their plane crashed, The Who, and Chicago. I have to also throw in a very small private Jonathan Edwards concert at a friends back yard pond with a pig roast.

Honorable mentions have to be The Almond Brothers and the Grateful Dead at the annual spring concerts at UMASS. And then there is the epic Simon and Garfunkel show at Central Park.

Still do not understand how we didnt see you at Central Park. Only about 300,000 of our closest friends were there.:a040:

But than again we were so far back from the stage we didnt see Simon and Garfunckel either but heard thru speakers.

[John_W]

...

[LiverpoolWalrus]

The Rolling Stones in Lynn Mass in 1967. Ended In a riot and we were all tear gassed. Before the riot the Stones were very good. Jagger brought the crowd to a frenzy and then all hell broke lose.

Lucky you. You saw the Stones' very first US concert. If you have a ticket stub from that show, it's worth a lot of money.

I guess I could have seen that show since my parents let me see the Monkees in 1967 at the Boston Garden, but I wasn't really a big fan until Beggars Banquet came out a year later.

[Jazzcat]

First concert, The Beatles at Suffolk Downs in Boston, circa 1966. Favorite concert was The Beach Boys at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

[airstreamingypsy]

Fun thread. My first was Ray Charles, my favorite was.... not sure I have a favorite.... but maybe Willie Nelson. Put me down as I also saw Vanilla Fudge, they were on a double bill with the First Edition (Kenny Rogers). I wish I had seen Elvis, Aerosmith and the Stones.

[sail33or]

I saw Gloria Esteban and The Miami Sound Machine in Port Arthur, Texas at a small festival "BEFORE" they were famous. (Late '70's)

I attended a private concert in the Robert Mondavi Winery, Napa by Air Supply. (2008).

[LiverpoolWalrus]

I didn't mentioned my favorites. The best overall show was 1972 Jethro Tull, Savannah Georgia. I didn't think it could be so great. He had people dressed like giant rabbits hop across the stage, huge telephones would ring and stop and answer, and say wrong number. The lights, the costumes, the music, it should of been filmed.



Yup. That was the Aqualung tour and I saw it too, at the legendary Hollywood Sportatorium in Hollywood, FL. Thanks for the memories of that great show. It's definitely in my top 10. I'm sure there is film somewhere. Would love to see it.

[44Apple]

First concert, The Beatles at Suffolk Downs in Boston, circa 1966. Favorite concert was The Beach Boys at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

I also saw the Beach Boys at SPAC back in the day. I remember that Dennis Wilson seemed lost, I don't even remember if he was the drummer. I know he threw his shoe into the crowd.

[macawlaw]

First concert was Elton John. Best concert was a different Elton John concert. A really bad storm made the electric go out. It did not stop him from continuing to play and sing. He had everyone on their feet and joining in.

Harry Chapin would come into a bar that I occasionally went to. Sometimes he would sing. A nice memory.

Elton was high when I saw him in 1986. It was a bad show all around. Saw Harry Chapin around 1980. He had great stories to go with the songs.

[Troopie]

First: Barry Manilow, Capital Center in Washington, D.C.

Best: Pink, Verizon Center in Washington, D.C

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

First Concert: The Beatles, August 18, 1966, Suffolk Downs Racetrack, East Boston, MA

Best Concert: The Beatles, August 18, 1966, Suffolk Downs Racetrack, East Boston, MA

It was all downhill after that.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

First concert, The Beatles at Suffolk Downs in Boston, circa 1966. Favorite concert was The Beach Boys at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

I was at Suffolk Downs in '66. I was fifth row center. Where were you?

[macawlaw]

Fun thread!

First - The Osmonds at the Ohio State Fair sometime around 1973. I have seen various Osmonds in concert since, and the shows are always excellent.

Favorite - Billy Joel - NYE 2018.


Kenny Rogers always had local groups participate in his Christmas and Hits Tour. I am privileged to have sung with him 10 times.

[tophcfa]

Not dreaming at all. Before the pandemic, the Villages did bring some of these "bits and pieces" of classic bands to our corner of the universe. I've only been here a little more than a year, but I did see the Grassroots at the Savannah Center. Others that have been here include Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits), Fifth Dimension, Gary Puckett (who lives nearby) and many more. Maybe others can fill you in better on this.

Some other shows we have seen in the Villages include George Thorogood, Electric Light Orchestra, Beach Boys, Kansas, and the Guess Who. Also some good cover bands including Queen, The Beatles, and Led Zeplin.

[Hogfan55]

1st Concert
James Gang @ Mid South Colosseum in Memphis circa 1972
Best hands down was Bruce Springsteen @ Ellis Auditorium in Memphis when he was just getting big after Born to Run came out. Venue held around 5000 seats. No opening act. Springsteen played for 4 hours with an intermission in the middle. I never felt like anyone ever gave the audience all he had and then some more than he did that night.

[collie1228]

My first was Three Dog Night with opening act Led Zeppelin at an outdoor theater in Seattle in May, 1969. Absolutely unforgettable. It's both my first and best. But a close second are the several James Taylor concerts I've seen over the years, especially the one at the NY State Fair in the mid 90's.

[ronharvey2]

1st concert 1967 Steve Miller Band at a frat party - U Mass Amherst.

Best is a tie between Allman Brothers 1st album tour - Symphony Hall Boston 1969 8th row center and Aug 1969 Woodstock.

[BlackhawksFan]

Great thread.

First Buck Owens and the Buckaroos at the Big E in 1970/71. I was like 5 or 6 loved Hee Haw and my parents took me.

As for best it's hard, I worked in radio for 24 years and attended a couple hundred shows. Some of note:
Springsteen
Petty
KISS
Garth Brooks
Brooks and Dunn
Boston
George Jones
Marty Stuart
Journey
Dire Straits
Shania Twain
Reba
Tim McGraw
Faith Hill
Blue Collar Comedy Tour

I've also met nearly every band I saw in those 24 years. Best meet and greet was Alan Jackson. Actually sat with him on his tour bus with my wife (ex) and he treated us like lifelong friends.

[larrycrilley@gmail.com]

My first concert was Elton John at Madison Square Garden Thanksgiving night 1974. There was a surprise guest who played a set with Elton former beetle John Lennon. Memory of a lifetime!:MOJE_whot:

[Dac4Iowa]

OK, let's name the first concert we ever attended and also the best concert we ever saw. Include year and venue if you can. I'll start.

First: The Monkees, Boston Garden, 1967
Favorite: The Doors, Boston Arena, 1970

If ties are allowed, the Wings Over America tour in Atlanta in 1976 would be a tie with the Doors, basically because, to my undying regret, I never got to see the Beatles. My parents didn't want to take me to see them at Suffolk Downs in 1966 and said I was too young for them to just drop me off and pick me up there. But yet *one year later* in 1967, at the ripe old age of 11, they decided I was old enough to see the Monkees!


Elvis Presley, Sioux City Auditorium, 1956
Neil Diamond, Milwaukee, WI, 1992

[Sontah]

Did anyone attend the "world series of rock concerts" in Cleveland during the mid 70's?

[Allen2021]

Lynard skynard 1976 with Montrose 6.50 to get in started at 6:30 got over 2 am Portland coliseum Before the crash

[bigjohnny19]

First: The Four Seasons, Harrisburg, PA, 1965
Favorite: The Rolling Stones, Veteran's Stadium, Philadelphia, 2002

[Irrigator53]

Battle of the bands, Birmingham alabama 1961. Monkeys, animals, beach boys, Jerry Lee Lewis , Lou cristy, etc
3rd row

[Jimbob the Newbie]

First was the Beatles, Minneapolis, 1965.

Best? Hard decision. Saw the Rolling Stones with Blues Traveler opening; saw the Moody Blues; saw Eric Clapton during his blues tour, with Jimmy Vaughn playing second guitar; saw an incredible Johnny Winter show, with Rick Derringer as his axeman; had a buddy in college who was really into Cryan Shames, saw them a few times in small venues. Does anybody remember Rotary Connection? Saw them, with Minnie Riperton and Mitch Aliotta, in a crazy good show. John Hiatt had Susan Tedeschi opening for him at Ravinia, where I also saw Jimmy Buffett opening for the Beach Boys.

When we were visiting the Villages on a Lifestyle Tour a few years ago, Art Garfunkel was at the Sharon. I wish I could say it was a great concert, but a cold and advancing age had really taken its toll on him that night. What was surprising to me was that he is not all that tall, Paul Simon is really apparently that short!

[Garywt]

Journey in Worcester MA around 1980
Avril at the Verizon Center in NH around 2008

[ann25624]

First: Oak Ridge Boys in Duluth, MN. 1983 or 1984

Best: Chicago with Earth, Wind, and Fire. Minneapolis, 2000-something.
Chicago is my favorite band and I have seen them many times. It was great to hear them play together with EW&F. So many horns on stage together and incredible energy!

[Stu from NYC]

First was the Beatles, Minneapolis, 1965.

Best? Hard decision. Saw the Rolling Stones with Blues Traveler opening; saw the Moody Blues; saw Eric Clapton during his blues tour, with Jimmy Vaughn playing second guitar; saw an incredible Johnny Winter show, with Rick Derringer as his axeman; had a buddy in college who was really into Cryan Shames, saw them a few times in small venues. Does anybody remember Rotary Connection? Saw them, with Minnie Riperton and Mitch Aliotta, in a crazy good show. John Hiatt had Susan Tedeschi opening for him at Ravinia, where I also saw Jimmy Buffett opening for the Beach Boys.

When we were visiting the Villages on a Lifestyle Tour a few years ago, Art Garfunkel was at the Sharon. I wish I could say it was a great concert, but a cold and advancing age had really taken its toll on him that night. What was surprising to me was that he is not all that tall, Paul Simon is really apparently that short!

Simon and Garfunkel was so great together sad they could not get along.

[Westie Man]

First Beatles at Shea 66

Three way tie for fave:

Elton at Carnegie hall 70 or 71

Richie Havens in the garden at MOMA

Pink Floyd at the Fillmore East

[Spokenite]

1st...Beach Boys. ..San Jose... Mid 60s
Best.... Rolling Stones ...Kingdome..Seattle...early 90s

[jrzeis@tampabay.rr.com]

Grand Funk Railroad and Yes

[Velvet]

I attended a private concert in the Robert Mondavi Winery, Napa by Air Supply. (2008).

Cool! Napa wine AND music :)

[John_W]

...

[John_W]

...

[Albany]

First concert: The Doors, 1966 someplace near Elmira NY, we weren't old enough to drive yet, I don't know how we got there.

BEST concert: The Boss, 1978, Palace Theatre, Albany NY. Unforgettable, he still played small venues then.

[kkingston57]

1st concert Outlaws, Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Miami Baseball Stadium 1974
Best toss up between U2 and Sir Paul McCartney

[sally123]

ELTON JOHN - Ist CONCERT

THE EAGLES - 2 X'S - FANTASTIC!!! JOE WALSH WAS GREAT!!!!!!!

[big guy]

I went to many concerts at Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh in the late 50s. In those days they didn't feature one group or person, it was many. I get the concerts mixed up because sometimes the people performing were the same. My mother worked for a radio station and if the sales people didn't want to use the tickets, they gave them to her for my brother and me. We saw many from the front row but the ones who stand out would be Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Joe Turner, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, Bill Dogget. The noise was almost unbearable. The people in balcony stomped in time with the music and I was sure the balcony would come down.

But the best was Willie Nelson at Silver Springs a few years back. He had been advertised at the Sharon for $200 or $300 a ticket. He canceled that and played at Silver Springs for $35 per ticket. It poured rain that night and his voice was a bit rough at first but it smoothed out after a couple of songs. We were soaked but we sang Willie all the way back to the Villages.

[nick demis]

The Beach Boys in early 60's in Lowell MA
Zeppelin late 60's in Boston MA
John Mayall early 70's in Boston MA

[l2ridehd]

I have seen many live concerts. My very first one was Peter Paul and Mary. Since then I have seen Lee Greenwood, Alabama, Reba McIntyre, Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond (Griffin Park the night they debute the Hot August Night Album, Melissa Manchester, Crystal Gayle, Bruse Springsteen, and probably a couple others I have forgotten.

But the best one for a great performance was without a doubt Chris Issac and again in Griffin Park.

[Rent From A Villager]

The Who in Philadelphia!

[Tmarkwald]

Yes, I am new - and very much looking forward to everything we have here.

Now, for normalcy to slowly come back...........

[JanetMM]

All concerts in Cleveland during late 60’s.

Hardly remember first concert. Euclid Beach Amusement Park. Chad and Jeremy and a few smaller British bands.

Best- tie between The Beatles, The Who, BB King and Jimi Hendrix.

Really can’t choose the top! All great, different reasons.

[JanetMM]

Thanks now I remember why I liked Cream so much. Sad that nobody seems to be playing their hits.

Thank you! Both Baker and Bruce were to their instruments what Clapton is to guitar!

[prettyw102@aol.com]

Fun thread! Have been to hundreds of concerts.

First one-Carole King in Central Park around 1970

Favorite-Rolling Stones (my favorite Band) Saw them 5x. My favorite concert was at The Orange Bowl,Miami, FL Nov. 16,1989. As an early bday present, my brother said he had a big surprise for me. A limo picked us up and escorted us down to the Orange Bowl to see The Stones (Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson, Dave Matthews Band, etc.). What I didn't know, is that he had purchased front row tix for us. Was so close, Mick sweated on me (only kidding). Greatest concert experience ever.

Saw everyone from Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, Paul Mccartney & Wings, Ringo Starr, Heart, Grass Roots, Grand Funk (10x...hubby's favorite),Beach Boys,Grass Roots, Three Dog Night, Johnny & Edgar Winter, Foreigner, Rick Derringer, The Turtles, Tom Jones, Gloria Estevan, CCR,The Four Seasons, Jay & the Americans (Jay Black is my cousin),Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, KC & The Sunshine Band, The Bee Gees,The Who,Metalica, Van Halen,Elton John, Billy Joel, Herman's Hermits,America, Bad Company,Blood, Sweat & Tears, Rod Stewart, Chicago,Boston, Blondie,Hall & Oates, Alice Cooper, Steve Miller Band,The Cars, Badfinger,The Guess Who, Fleetwood Mac,Steppenwolf,Don Henley,Rick Springfield,Gary Puckett & The Union Gap,Bachman Turner Overdrive,Eddie Money,Tommy James & The Shondells, Englebert Humperdinck,Labelle,Paul Revere & The Raiders, Tavares,The Tramps,The Young Rascals, etc. etc. etc

Ones That Got Away-Tom Petty (always wanted to see him, but then it was too late) and U2

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Amazing how many music fans here are from Massachusetts. I’m from the north shore (noth shewah).

WMEX and WBCN taught us well!

[BlackhawksFan]

Thank you! Both Baker and Bruce were to their instruments what Clapton is to guitar!

Cream is played all tne time on SiriusXM Classic Vinyl.

[tuccillo]

First concert: Eric Clapton, 1974ish, New Haven, CT
Best concert: Renaissance, 1977ish, Ithaca, NY
First runner up: Pink Floyd, 1976ish, Jersey City, NJ

[Shelby62]

So many concerts to choose from -- hundreds . . . .

First concert:
1977 Pablo Cruise - Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak, MI

Favorite concert:
1985 Deep Purple (with Ritchie Blackmore) - Perfect Strangers Tour - Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

Honorable mentions:
1980 Black Sabbath & Blue Oyster Cult - Black & Blue Tour - JLA, Detroit
1980 AC/DC - Back in Black Tour - Cobo Arena, Detroit
1980 REO Speedwagon - Pine Knob
1993 B.B. King, Buddy Guy, et al. - Blues Festival - Chene Park
2004 Yes - 35th Anniversary Tour - The Palace, Auburn Hills
J. Geils Band - any year

Most memorable:
1982 Frank Sinatra - Cobo Hall (during a red alert/white out!) - JLA, Detroit

Most memorable moment:
2008 meeting Sammy Haggar - Cabo Wabo, Cabo San Lucas - Signed my t-shirt.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Best concert: Renaissance, 1977ish, Ithaca, NY
First runner up: Pink Floyd, 1976ish, Jersey City, NJ

Alright! Another prog fan!

I wish SiriusXM would bring back their prog station.

[Polar Bear]

First...I think the Four Seasons in late 60's. Excellent.

Best...either one of the many times I saw Chicago, or the time I saw The Who at Tampa Stadium. :bigbow:

[sjd7767]

I was still in high school in South Florida during the '80s, so...

!!! Van Halen '81 at The Hollywood Sportatorium - Hollywood Florida

Other concerts I went to there... Rush, Judas Priest, Ozzy with Motley Crue, Ratt, Kiss with Ted Nugent, Vandenberg, Fastway, Quiet Riot, Dokken, Def Leppard, and of course Iron Maiden !!! to name a few...

Can say which was the best, I loved them all, but AC-DC had to be one of the LOUDEST !!!

The Sporto was such a complete dump with crappy acoustics and smelled like a combination of weed, stale beer, sweat and vomit, it was great and I miss it.

Elsewhere...

Dio and Megadeth at the West Palm Beach Auditorium

Cheap Trick at the Sunrise Musical Theater. There's more. I have to find my ticket stubs.

PS: I still have that guitar, ('77 Les Paul Custom) but it's been "retired", like me LOL

[tuccillo]

I saw Renaissance a couple of times. Annie Haslam is my all time favorite vocalist. I also saw Yes but never had a chance to see some of the other big prog groups such as ELP or Genesis. Steve Hackett is playing at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Ponte Vedra outside of Jacksonville in April if you like the early Genesis material. Unfortunately we are out of town :-(

Alright! Another prog fan!

I wish SiriusXM would bring back their prog station.

[Jsan143]

Led Zeppelin and Hot Tuna, 1971 Madison Square Garden. Every time I hear the Hooligans I flashback to that first concert!

[golfjuly11]

Circa 1966-67, Newton Lake, PA, north of Scranton. Small amusement park, just hanging around and several rental trucks pull up to a small dance hall (200 max). Some "old guy" (now I am one) asks me to help unload band equipment and says he will pay me $5.00 plus see the show for free. A lot of money, so I am in. The band was The Guess Who? (question mark dropped in 1968). Helped Burton Cummings and other members unload equipment. Obviously, The Guess Who? at that time were taking any gigs they could get in the States. Fast forward to March 12, 2018, my wife and I go see The Guess Who at the Savannah Center. After the concert, I met with founding member Garry Peterson (drummer). I asked him if he remembered me and my excellent roadie skills from Newton Lake. He paused, looked at me carefully, laughed, and said no! I was crushed, but am over it now.

One more. Circa 1973-74, Wilkes-Barre, PA, attended a Saturday afternoon matinee concert featuring a young artist from New York - Billy Joel. A couple of bucks and I was in. I thought he was very good, however, several attendees didn't like him and started throwing pennies at him to get him off the stage. He left! Fast forward, those penny throwing critics aren't laughing now.

[Road-Runner]

First Concert: July 7, 1974 Uriah Heep and Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Great show, first rock concert in the OMNI arena after it was built which had the longest roof 'span' of any indoor arena up to then. Jeane Dixon a psychic back then predicted that the roof would collapse because of the noise, got to admit to keeping an eye on the ceiling during the concert!

Best Concert: For people watching Jimmy Buffet in 2000 at the Atlanta Lakewood Fairgrounds. Just unreal spectacle and that was in the parking lot before ever going in the concert gates. For music, my daughter took me to Dick Dale a few years ago at the Earl in East Atlanta, fantastic music in a close setting plus got to hang out with my daughter the whole time!

[Road-Runner]

First Concert: July 7, 1974 Uriah Heep and Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Great show, first rock concert in the OMNI arena after it was built which had the longest roof 'span' of any indoor arena up to then. Jeane Dixon a psychic back then predicted that the roof would collapse because of the noise, got to admit to keeping an eye on the ceiling during the concert!

Best Concert: For people watching Jimmy Buffet in 2000 at the Atlanta Lakewood Fairgrounds. Just unreal spectacle and that was in the parking lot before ever going in the concert gates. For music, my daughter took me to Dick Dale a few years ago at the Earl in East Atlanta, fantastic music in a close setting plus got to hang out with my daughter the whole time!

[Fisherman]

The Doors Dinner Key Auditorium March 1, 1969. Major news event. JM charged with indecent exposure. Saw nothing!!
Fleetwood Mac Nov 2 2016 Amalie Arena Tampa Florida

My best was NOT to be The Rolling Stones July 5, 2019 Tampa Florida cancelled due to COVID

[rmd2]

Chicago 1962 Johnnie Mathis at the McCormick theater (saw him again in Sacramento and later in Maryland)
Tom Jones
Kenny Rogers

[rmd2]

So many of these classic bands are out there still performing, although mostly in bits and pieces of the original lineup.

So, why doesn't TV think of booking one of these classic bands, even though not original, into TV for us, on a regular basis? I think we'd all be in agreement that we would pay if they did one of these every couple of months.

Most of these bands also have cover bands that replicate the music very faithfully.

Ahh, just dreaming I suppose....

No you are not just dreaming. They still have the DOO WOP groups performing in NY so...

[LiverpoolWalrus]

I was still in high school in South Florida during the '80s, so...

!!! Van Halen '81 at The Hollywood Sportatorium - Hollywood Florida

Other concerts I went to there... Rush...

The Sporto was such a complete dump with crappy acoustics and smelled like a combination of weed, stale beer, sweat and vomit, it was great and I miss it

I went to the legendary Hollywood Sportatorium about once a month on average from 1971-1979. If you think it was “interesting’ in the ‘80s, you should’ve seen it in the ‘70s. For one thing, it wasn’t unusual for bands to show up late - very late, and then the show would end around 3 am!

A few classic shows I saw there:

Jethro Tull-Aqualung tour

Pink Floyd- Dark Side of the Moon tour in quad!

Bob Dylan - his 1974 comeback after the accident. The Beach Boys opened and a streaker jumped up on stage and hugged Dennis Wilson.

Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour

Alice Cooper, Uriah Heep, Yes, Deep Purple many times

That place was like a surreal dream. I miss it too. Many other shows at Miami Jai Alai, Pirates World, Marine Stadium, Orange Bowl, West Palm Auditorium, etc. But nothing like the Sportatorium.

[John_W]

...

[Chi-Town]

First - Jimmie Rodgers - 1958 Steel Pier Atlantic City

Best - Janis Joplin -1970 Ravinia Park IL

[John_W]

...

[Fredman]

Nat King Cole in pittsburgh in the 60’s. First date with my wife

[Funkman]

First concert was actually a freebie for our high school next door at the Music Hall (James Montgomery and Duke and the Drivers) I believe that was in 72. First show I paid to see was Grand Funk Railroad at Boston Garden around the same time.

Best indoor concert would probably be Springsteen at the old Garden think it was 81 or 82

Best outdoor show was a weekend camping festival called Gathering of the Vibes (ended up going to and working 14 of these)

My favorite line-up was an Allman Bros family get together type of event back in 2003 (Note Allman Brothers and Dickie Betts played on different nights, no sit in)

July 10 – July 13 @ Indian Lookout Country Club, Mariaville, New York
GOTV with the Allman Brothers Band and James Brown

Artist Lineup:
Addison Groove Project ~ Allman Brothers Band ~ Andrew Gromiller ~ Bomb Squad ~ Dan Bern ~ David Grisman Quintet ~ Deep Banana Blackout ~ Derek Trucks Band ~ Dickey Betts and Great Southern ~ Gov't Mule ~ Holmes Brothers ~ James Brown ~ Jim Donovan Rhythm and Drum ~ Jorma Kaukonen and Blue Country ~ Karl Denson's Tiny Universe ~ Keller Williams ~ Max Creek ~ Michael Franti and Spearhead ~ Nerissa & Katryna Nields ~ Oak Street Jam Band~Particle ~ Peter Prince ~ Rafter Bats ~ Raisinhill ~ Reed Foehl ~ Reid Genauer and the Assembly of Dust ~ Rusted Root ~ Strangefolk ~ Susan Tedeschi ~ Waking Puppets ~ Warren Haynes ~ Wavy Gravy ~ Zen Tricksters

[Tmarkwald]

[QUOTE=John_W;1913261]That's why I didn't go, without Burt Cummings it's not the Guess Who. I had a similar story, I saw the Guess Who after they had made it big, Nov '70 in Baltimore and then again in '84. However, Jim Kale was the only original member, they had the singer was from Coney Hatch and he was actually good filling Burt's shoes. The only reason I went was it was free by Kool Cigarettes, "Kool Nights Concerts". I saw Jim Kale afterwards and asked if he remembered the concert at Loyola College Baltimore Nov 1970, and even though it was only 14 years later, and I was asking about an event and not about myself, he said no, I don't remember playing that show.

I can't believe all these responses and not one said 'Kiss', they're the only band on my bucket list.

https://townsquare.media/site/187/files/2019/02/KISS-LIVE-2014-BY-Johnny-Lathrop-Photography.jpg?w=980&q=75[/QUOTE

I mentioned KISS - not in a flattering way though

[John_W]

...

[LiverpoolWalrus]

I had a similar experience. The band wasn't big yet, but I liked their first album, I had heard the song "Liar" on the radio on our local prog AM radio station. March 14, 1975 Queen at Sunshine Speedway, St. Petersburg, Florida. I'm driving around getting psyched and listening to WFSO the Big 57, the best radio station ever. About 3pm they announce, if you're going to the Queen concert tonight, it's been cancelled. The fire marshal wouldn't approved the temporary stage built in the middle of the race track, said their equipment was too big and it couldn't support it. Talk about being bummed!

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q810gzGqK-s/hqdefault.jpg

Then there was the rained out Led Zep concert at Tampa Stadium in 1975. They played three songs and the show was over. A near riot ensued. Who else was there?

[justforefun]

First concert - Supertramp summer of 1978 - Alpine Valley Wisconsin
A couple of best concerts Dave Matthews Band - about 2000 Alpine Valley and Charlie Daniels Band 2002 in Temple Texas at the Bloomin' Festival.

[John_W]

....

[MandGT]

First concert was The Lovin Spoonful at Cornell University, 1965.
Best ever concert was Ella Fitzgerald in Cleveland sometime in the early 70’s.

[bobdeb]

Had front row seats at an Aerosmith concert and also a back stage pass. Long story... Their sound and performance was 1st rate.

However, did a concert out in a farm in western Massachusetts long ago with the following acts.

Frankie Valli
Three Dog Night
Beach Boys
Mamas and the Papas (not the originals)
America.

Every band but Mamas was original. It was outdoors and you could get up really close. Awesome.

[Rickanvic]

First concert: Pink Floyd Tampa Stadium 1977 - Best concert: Journey - Citrus bowl Orlando 1983. They played with Bryan Adams, Sammy Hager, and Aerosmith. It rained all day! Stopped when Journey came on and they played and played to make up for our soggy day!

[Rollie]

First was Three Dog Night............1970...............Milwaukee Arena

Favorite was Boston.....................1979...............Milw aukee Arena


Rollie

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

First concert: double-header with Seals & Crofts and Logins & Messina, some time in the early 1970's at the New Haven Coliseum.

Best concert: CSN, 2012. I don't remember where we saw it, maybe Hartford, possibly Massachusetts somewhere, or maybe at the Mohegan Sun. It was after David Crosby returned (again) and I spent most of the night crying at the haunting harmonies and melodies of the trio.

It was their first tour in over 20 years, and it was magnificent.

[unialimon]

1st The Monkeys 1969 Madison Wi
Best has to be a tie Pink Floyd March 1973 Madison WI tickets $4.00
And Lou Reed Halloween show 1974.

[Shelby62]

I can't believe all these responses and not one said 'Kiss', they're the only band on my bucket list.

https://townsquare.media/site/187/files/2019/02/KISS-LIVE-2014-BY-Johnny-Lathrop-Photography.jpg?w=980&q=75[/QUOTE]


I gotta weigh in on this one. Have to say, I have seen KISS in concert a bunch of times, and it's always a great show. You can't deny their stage appeal. It's theatrical, entertaining, and driven with energy. Prefer the early KISS songs.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

First concert: double-header with Seals & Crofts and Logins & Messina, some time in the early 1970's at the New Haven Coliseum.

Best concert: CSN, 2012. I don't remember where we saw it, maybe Hartford, possibly Massachusetts somewhere, or maybe at the Mohegan Sun. It was after David Crosby returned (again) and I spent most of the night crying at the haunting harmonies and melodies of the trio.

It was their first tour in over 20 years, and it was magnificent.

Some of us are lucky that music touches us so passionately like this.

[John_W]

...

[MickeyStevens]

Amazing how many music fans here are from Massachusetts. I’m from the north shore (noth shewah).

WMEX and WBCN taught us well!

I came from 45 miles south in Rhode Island love 'BCN and 'MEX.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

We've all been mentioned mostly arena shows, I did mentioned a 1969 Allman Bros club show as one of my earliest. Since I really didn't know who they were at the time, or what to expect, I was somewhat off-guard about how great the performance was going to be.

For my best club, small venue show, I've got to submit Three Dog Night. I was big fan ever since '69 when I heard "One" on the juke box that summer.

Guess how I got turned on to Uriah Heep? They opened for Three Dog Night when I saw them at the Boston Garden in 1970 or 1971. Even then I thought it was a strange pairing. Turned out I liked Uriah Heep more than the headliner!

My favorite club show right off the bat without giving it a lot of thought would probably be Echo and the Bunnymen when they were still mysterious, semi-psychedelic and definitely post-punk. Way before they went commercial. That was at the Channel in NYC in 1981. Or the Clash at the Aragon in Chicago in 1979 with Bo Diddley opening.

We haven't talked about punk/post-punk/alternative yet, but as time goes on and more people whose decade was the '80s move into the Villages, I bet we will. For those people who say there was no good music in the '80s, they just weren't listening. Or they were listening to mainstream radio.

[John_W]

Guess how I got turned on to Uriah Heep? They opened for Three Dog Night when I saw them at the Boston Garden in 1970 or 1971. Even then I thought it was a strange pairing. Turned out I liked Uriah Heep more than the headliner!

My favorite club show right off the bat without giving it a lot of thought would probably be Echo and the Bunnymen when they were still mysterious, semi-psychedelic and definitely post-punk. Way before they went commercial. That was at the Channel in NYC in 1981. Or the Clash at the Aragon in Chicago in 1979 with Bo Diddley opening.

We haven't talked about punk/post-punk/alternative yet, but as time goes on and more people whose decade was the '80s move into the Villages, I bet we will. For those people who say there was no good music in the '80s, they just weren't listening. Or they were listening to mainstream radio.

Early Uriah Heep with Three Dog Night at their peak, that is weird. I've only experienced that twice. In '87 the Fixx opened for the Moody Blues in Savannah. The audience was almost all locals, CAT ball caps, beards, not too many new wavers. Most of them said, who is the Fix. I enjoyed both, the Moody's Blues had all their equipment on stage already and the Fixx seemed to only have about 10' to move about. They sounded good, but they seemed like they wanted to get off stage even more than the audience wanted them off the stage.

The other was about '82 Savannah it was Billy Squier with Saga opening. Billy was a big hit on the radio and videos and Saga had released Worlds Apart and I only heard that one radio song 'On the Loose', so I didn't know what to expect. They were excellent, three keyboards, powerful drums and a really good singer. On the Loose and Wind Him Up were the highlights. By the end of the night, I bought their album the next day and Billy I don't think I ever played again.

Everyone knows Billy Squier brought it on himself wearing pink tank tops and prancing around in his videos. He basically wasn't that far from doing in concert. He seems to bounce around and I think he wore a pink tank top again. I believe he a really good guy after seeing videos of him in modern times, and he just got bad advice from managers or the label.

Echo & the Bunnymen I've got four recent live videos of theirs on my youtube new wave folder, they're good and helped make Donnie Darko a better movie. The lead singer still smokes on stage, I guess he hasn't learned.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Some of us are lucky that music touches us so passionately like this.

I still can't sing Southern Cross without choking up when I get to "she is all that I have left and Music is her name" and I've been singing it since it came out in late 1982.

Being hearing impaired means I don't always know the words to the songs (or what anyone is saying when they talk to me). But my impairment is such that I can isolate every instrument from a performance and hone in on just that one instrument. With CSN(and Y), I don't try. It's the harmony that is the instrument. It takes me to another place.

Yes does the same thing to me as well but in a totally different way. Cover your ears with a headset, give the bass just a TINY bump in volume and crisp up the midrange, and then jack the volume of that combo up a few notches. Then listen to Rick Wakeman's intro to Parallels and the fade-in of Steve Howe, Alan White, and Chris Squire on the Going for the One album. You might get a sense of how I "feel" when I listen to them. It just shoots a love-bullet right through my heart.

[unialimon]

Tom Waits Park Motor Inn 10-31-1977. With Debbie from the Dangle.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Guess how I got turned on to Uriah Heep? They opened for Three Dog Night when I saw them at the Boston Garden in 1970 or 1971. Even then I thought it was a strange pairing. Turned out I liked Uriah Heep more than the headliner!

My favorite club show right off the bat without giving it a lot of thought would probably be Echo and the Bunnymen when they were still mysterious, semi-psychedelic and definitely post-punk. Way before they went commercial. That was at the Channel in NYC in 1981. Or the Clash at the Aragon in Chicago in 1979 with Bo Diddley opening.

We haven't talked about punk/post-punk/alternative yet, but as time goes on and more people whose decade was the '80s move into the Villages, I bet we will. For those people who say there was no good music in the '80s, they just weren't listening. Or they were listening to mainstream radio.

Heh - 80's music? When I wasn't acting like a hippie in Harvard Square, I was listening to and dancing to Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, Gary Numan, Laurie Anderson (avant-garde electro-weirdness) The Police, Talking Heads, Blotto, the B-52s, the Clash, the Del Fuegos, and others. Most of these bands formed in the mid-late 1970's (1978 was a REALLY popular year for new-wave/punk/garage startups).

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Heh - 80's music? When I wasn't acting like a hippie in Harvard Square, I was listening to and dancing to Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, Gary Numan, Laurie Anderson (avant-garde electro-weirdness) The Police, Talking Heads, Blotto, the B-52s, the Clash, the Del Fuegos, and others. Most of these bands formed in the mid-late 1970's (1978 was a REALLY popular year for new-wave/punk/garage startups).

Hey OBB, did you go to the Spit on Landsdowne St? What a fun place that was!

Ya, I was right between the hippie and punk eras too so I also lived both... even though the punks hated the the hippies. So I felt a little schizo at the time. But we now know that contempt was all an act...that and the anarchy thing.

Xray Spex (one of my faves from the time) hit the nail on the head in 1978 with Artificial: X-Ray Spex - Art-I-Ficial - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abu2otMwDo4)

[Funkman]

Had a buddy who bartended at Spit, saw the Stray Cats there. Also spent a lot of time around the corner at the Rat (saw the Cars which was probably in the top 3 of the worst shows I ever saw)

[Michread]

First

Eagles, 1976 with Boz Gaggs- Jersey City. I was 13 yo


Best

George Benson ~ 1984 - Boston Public Garden

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Heh - 80's music? When I wasn't acting like a hippie in Harvard Square, I was listening to and dancing to Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, Gary Numan, Laurie Anderson (avant-garde electro-weirdness) The Police, Talking Heads, Blotto, the B-52s, the Clash, the Del Fuegos, and others. Most of these bands formed in the mid-late 1970's (1978 was a REALLY popular year for new-wave/punk/garage startups).

OK, so now you AND John both mentioned Laurie Anderson. I liked that flash in the pan too and saw her at Constitution Hall in DC around 1982. Surprising that you both dropped a relatively obscure name.

"Oh Superman, let x=x ... it's a sky blue sky, the satellites are out tonight. Thanks for showing me your Swiss army knife, I feel like I'm in a burning building."

Next you'll both be mentioning Lene Lovich!

Funkman, I never liked the Cars either. What an overrated band (imo). But then again I was/am a snob and don't like anything played on mainstream radio since the '60s :) (At least I admit it.)

[John_W]

...

[bandsdavis]

So the first time I saw a concert by a group with an actual record was the Swingin' Medallions (Double Shot of My Baby's Love) in 1966 at my High School in Keene NH. I'm sure they were on a promotional tour and fit us into an empty date. The I saw Simon and Garfunkel in early 1968 at UNH. By far the best concert was a 2000 concert by Paul McCartney in Boston. I never saw The Beatles live, but I remember distinclty thinking to myself in 2000, "Oh my God, that's really Paul McCartney!"

[bandsdavis]

I should also add the the first "Big Date" that my wife Sue and I went on was to see Peter Paul and Mary at Symphony Hall in Boston in the Fall of 1969. What an incredible concert! Second only to McCartney.

[John_W]

...

[LiverpoolWalrus]

I had the Flash and the Pan first album on record and the first two albums together on a double CD on Renaissance Records. For some reason, I liked their style, which was a little like Laurie Anderson.



I was referring to Laurie Anderson as a lower case flash in the pan. I vaguely remember the band with that name and I guess they were also a flash in the pan.

[John_W]

...

[Kidsmith77]

First concert: Kingston Trio at Melodyland (circle theater) in Anaheim, CA early 60's. My older sister was a big fan of folk music so the whole family went. I was between 8 & 10.

Best concert: So many! Sammy Hagar & the Waboritos sat on stage as part of Cabo Wabo Cantina set up at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA Pre concert meet & greet and got a big "yard" glass of a Cabo Wabo margarita with refills onstage. Also took the first annual Sammy Hagar cruise to Cabo San Lucas. The band, minus Sammy (he didn't like cruising) plus lead singer for Montrose, played every day and the ship was stocked with Cabo Wabo tequila by Sammy. Sammy met us at the dock in Cabo and we all walked to his club. Played private concert for almost 3 hours.

Another best: Elton John at Dodger Stadium in mid 70's. This was the concert he debuted his Donald Duck and Dodger costumes.
Garth Brooks - Honda Center in Anaheim CA. Sat in 10th row. He is such an entertainer. Have seen him many times and also his residence in Vegas when he announced he was going on tour again after he had been retired. Eagles/Linda Rondstat/Jackson Browne Anaheim stadium with festival seating about 1975. Was within a few feet of stage. This was with Don Felder back in the day. Moody Blues with full orchestra playing Days of Future Passed album in San Diego at Cal State San Diego amphitheater. Bruce Springsteen during his Born in USA tour. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band at the Forum Los Angeles on his retirement tour 2019---this was a bucket list item.

Every summer we go to the Happy Together Tour at the Orange County Fairgrounds/Pacific Amphitheatre led by the Turtles with various acts. Gary Puckett, Chuck Negron from Three Dog Night, Grass Roots (they were the best!), Association, Cowsills, Herman & the Hermits, Mark Lindsey from Paul Revere & the Raiders, Buckinghams, The Vogues, Classics IV, Boxtops, the Archies, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Lead singer from Grand Funk Railroad.

[Inexes@aol.com]

I still can't sing Southern Cross without choking up when I get to "she is all that I have left and Music is her name" and I've been singing it since it came out in late 1982.

Being hearing impaired means I don't always know the words to the songs (or what anyone is saying when they talk to me). But my impairment is such that I can isolate every instrument from a performance and hone in on just that one instrument. With CSN(and Y), I don't try. It's the harmony that is the instrument. It takes me to another place.

Yes does the same thing to me as well but in a totally different way. Cover your ears with a headset, give the bass just a TINY bump in volume and crisp up the midrange, and then jack the volume of that combo up a few notches. Then listen to Rick Wakeman's intro to Parallels and the fade-in of Steve Howe, Alan White, and Chris Squire on the Going for the One album. You might get a sense of how I "feel" when I listen to them. It just shoots a love-bullet right through my heart.

Is this perhaps the cause of our hearing loss..... I spent my life with Music, it is my reason for living... and I remember everyone telling me I was going to be deaf when I got "older".... and they were right. I don't care if it was Pavarotti or Pink Floyd, Aerosmith to Uriah Heep, opera, classic to heavy metal, punk rock, country, the list goes on. But whatever it was, it was at max decibels. Would never be able to name a favorite. Can say my first was Gene Vincent in a little town in Pa in the 50s and thousands thru the years. Most memorable was probably Uriah Heep at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, (the dome on that arena opened) and when they led into Wonderworld, the dome opened and revealed a gorgeous starry night.... awesome. I might add, what you could see of it through the cloud of smoke that escaped, lol.) Can't imagine what my life would have been without music and dance and theatre.... boring. If I were to mention most wished for in person, it would be Aerosmith and Pink Floyd. This has been a great post, has brought back a flood of memories for all of us.

[Inexes@aol.com]

Guess how I got turned on to Uriah Heep? They opened for Three Dog Night when I saw them at the Boston Garden in 1970 or 1971. Even then I thought it was a strange pairing. Turned out I liked Uriah Heep more than the headliner!

My favorite club show right off the bat without giving it a lot of thought would probably be Echo and the Bunnymen when they were still mysterious, semi-psychedelic and definitely post-punk. Way before they went commercial. That was at the Channel in NYC in 1981. Or the Clash at the Aragon in Chicago in 1979 with Bo Diddley opening.

We haven't talked about punk/post-punk/alternative yet, but as time goes on and more people whose decade was the '80s move into the Villages, I bet we will. For those people who say there was no good music in the '80s, they just weren't listening. Or they were listening to mainstream radio.

As a music lover, I used to take my teenage daughter to all the concerts I could... music was my life. My most memorable concert was Uriah Heep, Pittsburgh Civic Area. The dome on that arena was retractable. When the band led into Wonderworld, the dome opened to reveal a gorgeous starry night. It was awesome..... that is, what you could see of it through the cloud of smoke that blew out of the arena, lol. I will never forget it. Thank you for this OP... it has brought a flood of beautiful memories, what a trip thru the past.

[John_W]

...

[collector0915]

1981 - Chuck Berry and Rick Nelson, at Hartford Civic Center
1988 - Dion and Del Shannon at Wallingford, CT
1967 - The Turtles, Gary Puckett & Union Gap and Jay & the Americans at W. Conn. State Univ.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Hearing loss: born with it, the damage is degenerative and progressive. I can still hear, just can't always differentiate words when people are talking and sometimes I don't notice that my cat is yapping at me beside the desk (she yaps, she doesn't meow like normal cats).

Laurie Anderson: For years, back when we had actual answering machines, my message was: "Hi. I'm-not-home-right-now. But if you want-to-leave-a-mes-sage, Just. Start. Talk-ing. At. The. Sound. Of. The. Tone (a-ah-ah-ah-ah-aaaaaa-ah-ah-ah."

I was raised on classical music; we had a bust of Beethoven on the baby grand in the living room, dad was a concert pianist, mom had an excellent ear. I played viola for 4 years and substituted on the sousaphone when they were shorthanded in the marching band. We had box seats at the Met, so technically La Boheme would've probably been my first "concert."

And yes I was at the Spit. And at 33 Landsdowne. I think that was the place that had a roller rink on the second floor?

[LiverpoolWalrus]

And yes I was at the Spit. And at 33 Landsdowne. I think that was the place that had a roller rink on the second floor?

One of the best punk clubs evah. I don't recall a roller rink though.

[GNXGuy]

1st was Van Halen my sr year in high school in 1984

Best.... Hard to choose—Slayer 2018 Megadeth 2018 Rob Zombie 2019 , Metallica 2019, Trump Rally Oct 24, 2020