Best concert you've been to

[maxrandb]

Hard call, because I have been to quite a few, but for venue, quality; and since it was the first concert I attended with my bride; mine would be Ian Hunter with Mick Ronson at Newport Hall in Columbus, OH back in 1989.

[FalloutShelter]

1. Talking Heads at the

Mann Music Center, 1983

[amerikat]

32. Growing up in central NJ. the Mann was a great venue and not far away. (nt)

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Short List

Bowie Glass Spider
Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms tour.
King Crimson- Beat tour
The Fixx- Tour between Ink & Elemental
BTW: Saw Hunter with Mott The Hoople in '74 or '75 on ""The Hoople" tour.

[lark]

3. No contest, Pink Floyd's debut of Dark Side of the Mooon in SF.

It was just being released and I had heard nothing from it. They started off with Time, then Money. We got 3rd row seats and it was beyond amazing, especially to my acid drenched brain.

[ificandream]

14. We may have been at the same show.

I remember them playing from Dark Side, but they played a lot more, too. The finale was Be Careful With That Ax, Eugene that culminated with two exploding pots, one on each side of the stage, that left skull images in your head. I remember the crowd screaming from that. This was at Winterland. (How I miss that place.)

[Doc_Technical]

21. Was this at the Cow Palace,

1974, with quadraphonic sound?
No, That can't be it. Dark Side of the Mooon was released in 1973.

I'm so confused

It might be the 1972 show at Winterland

[Clash City Rocker]

4. Toss up

Neil Young had an annual benefit for the Bridge School, which his son attended. Because so many musicians love him, the lineup was always amazing, and it would literally sell out in minutes. I was able to attend in 1993. The lineup included Simon & Garfunkel (!), Van Halen, Heart, Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, Warren Zevon, and of course Neil. The highlight was Eddie Van Halen coming out to play with S&G for “The Sound of Silence.”

My other choice was Paul McCartney. It was the first concert tour where he was performing Beatles songs as a solo artist, and I was at the first concert of the tour. So those of us in the audience were the first people ever to hear him perform many of the Beatles’ songs in concert. It also included some touching tributes to John and George (he played “Something” on ukulele), and great insights on some Beatles songs (he said “Blackbird” was about the women of the civil rights movement).

It hurts me not to mention any Dead shows, but I’m already cheating by giving two.

[maxrandb]

6. It's OK

I am a HUGE fan of The Who. I've seen them 8 time, including once when all 4 were in their prime. To this day, the best damn live band on the planet, but I chose this one because of a few things.

The venue was small. Newport Hall was the old Agora, and it was like going to a concert in a bar.

I knew of Mott the Hoople, but was not a big fan, so a lot of the songs I hadn't heard before. Just the brilliance of songs like Irene Wild, I Wish I Was Your Mother, Standing in My Light, All the Way to Memphis, and I had no idea that "Ships" was an Ian Hunter song, and NOT Barry Manilow. It opened my eyes to some great music.

And, of course, experiencing it with the love of my life.

Much better company than my high school friend puking his guts out, outside Richfield Coliseum after The Who.

[electric_blue68]

42. I'm pretty much a super Who fan. Seen them many times. Trade stories?*

*will be mentioning them after I finish reading the posts.

[maxrandb]

43. Sure, first time I saw them was in Cleveland

at the old Richfield Colosseum. I was in High School and a friend and I drove up from Canton. It was the Who By Numbers tour, so it had to be 75 or 76.

Had my brother buy us a 12 pack of Molson Gold and we had some pretty good weed.

I just remember that they didn't take the stage, they frickin stormed it.

If I could describe The Who live, it is that they were relentless. You felt like it was almost out of control, and the sound from just 4 guys was tremendous.

There are a lot of great guitar players, but I think Pete Townshend was/is the absolute best guitar showman. He didn't play the guitar, he attacked it.

It was cold outside, but we left that show head pounding, heart pounding, drenched in sweat and unable to hear straight for days.

I have been a huge fan ever since.

I think you could give Quadrophenia to any 16 year old in the world, and they could relate to it.

[Liberal In Texas]

5. Oddly enough: Glenn Yarbrough in the 70s

Had tickets for his concert when he stopped on tour in Omaha. That day and into night it snowed and became blizzard conditions. I was young and brave (foolish) and never heard that the performance was cancelled, so I showed up at the Orpheum a real beautifully restored old theater. Around concert time there were maybe a dozen or two people in the audience that was supposed to be hundreds in a full house. Instead of cancelling Yarbrough came out and said something to the effect that he was in town and we were here so he would continue with the concert.

He had the sparse audience all leave their assigned seats and gather around the front. He came down from the stage with his guitar and sat in front with of the orchestra pit and played a full intimate concert for our small group.

He was able to chat with us between songs and my memory of him was of being a great guy, someone who you would like as a friend.

I have been to other concerts with some great music and even a "concert" in the Orpheum with Steve Martin a really hilarious PDQ Bach concert with Prof. Peter Schickele and others too numerous to mention, but this one remains special.

[maxrandb]

7. That happened to me at a Roger Daltrey solo show in Norfolk

Weather resulted in just a few hundred folks on a venue for about 3,000. He called us all down to the front and put on a fantastic show of solo and Who classics.

[Liberal In Texas]

9. Just like having a private concert. An intimate venue like only the uber wealthy might be able to pay for.

[Ferryboat]

8. Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti tour

Seattle center coliseum. They loved Seattle.

[maxrandb]

44. Never had a chance to see them, but would have loved to

[limbicnuminousity]

10. Bowie, early 90s.

Drove 10 hrs to hang with friends and made the show. Well worth it.

[Midnight Writer]

11. Little Feat in Chicago. Probably Feb of 1978?

Hitchhiked 180 miles to get there and waited for hours outside the theater to get the good seats. Ended up third row, center.

Met some folks there who lived about 50 miles from me, and after the show they took me most of the way home. Dropped me along highway at 430 AM. Took me about 10 hours to hitch the rest of the way home.

[k55f5r]

12. David Bromberg Band

At a park alongside the Clackamas River in Oregon back in the seventies. What a beautiful day, there was a slack rope walker, people in groups producing music in between songs and acts, and the Bromberg band was fantastic.

[LuckyCharms]

19. Saw Bromberg in 1975. He and his band were great! n/t

[yellowdogintexas]

13. my first Pink Martini concert!! Love that group

Doc & Merle Watson at the Exit Inn in Nashville; small intimate venue.
Texas Appreciation Concert at CMA week. First time to hear Willie Nelson.
Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic at Billy Bob's in Ft Worth. Lots of country stars, Bob Dylan and Doobie Brothers. Hotter 'n Hell and so worth it. My daughter talked me into taking her & her best friend because of the Doobies.

Symphony doesn't count. Too many wonderful ones to choose

[ificandream]

15. So many to choose from, but I think I have to choose The Who at SF Civic.

They were fantastic that night. Toss up would be the Faces at SC County Fairgrounds. (They were still billed as the Small Faces.) Rod was prancing all over the stage. Got to meet them that night, too.

[ailsagirl]

16. Kinks!!

[Delarage]

33. My first concert!

In the 1990s. I liked a few songs that were in MTV (Come Dancing, etc) but had no idea they rocked as hard as they did .... and that Dave Davies was as good as he was that night. It was a blast!

[ailsagirl]

38. Glad you liked the concert!!

They really know how to give a great show--I've seen them four times, then saw Ray twice (when he did his solo act).

Ray is brilliant, and I'm not just saying that because I like him--some musicians (The Who, David Bowie) have gone on record about how extraordinary the Kinks are, especially Ray's songwriting and Dave's lead guitar).

Plus, Ray was knighted in 2017, with a CBE (the highest ranking Order of the British Empire).

[BOSSHOG]

17. Black Oak Arkansas

Fayetteville 1970s. Lots of energy. Damn near pornographic. A long concert, we got our moneys worth.

[av8rdave]

18. There have been so many...my favs

Maynard Ferguson and the Stan Kenton Orchestras trading sets, mid 70s

Tommy Emmanuel with Larry Carlton, Austin, 2009ish

Jethro Tull, Stormwatch tour, Denver ‘79

Rush, R30, Dallas, 2005

[ZZenith]

35. I was at that Tull show, too!

McNichols arena! ‘79! With post-Holdsworth U.K. Opening up for them.

I so often list that as the greatest show I’ve ever seen. So theatrical! Barrymore Barlow! And Bozzio!

One of the other all-time greats was Rush on R40 - didn’t get to see R30, unfortunately.

Tommy Emmanuel! Maynard! You have excellent taste in music!

[av8rdave]

41. I remember that show so well

And yes, UK was excellent as well.

I also saw Rush on R40. I’m not the typical Rush fan. I only saw 4 of their shows.

Tommy Emmanuel is not to be missed! I have been to many of his shows. He usually has somebody remarkable as a guest. I saw him in Columbus last summer with Jorma Kuakonen. A few years ago he was touring with David Grisman (Jerry Garcia Band).

It sounds like your taste is excellent as well!

[Prairie_Seagull]

20. Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Brain Salad Surgery. Portland Oregon. I want to say 75? Seen a bunch but this was the high water mark for me and the company was superb.

Very envious of the PF San Fran show.

[Doc_Technical]

22. Moody Blues.

It was held in a community center near
Frankfurt, Germany in 1973.
There is nothing like a small audience close to the band.

[WestMichRad]

23. You're probably looking for rock n roll concerts

But my favorites were jazz:
A Gilmore keyboard festival show in Kalamazoo MI, with Lyle Mays, Paul McCandless, Steve Rodby and a couple others was simply beautiful. A show at Meijer Gardens with Jean-Luc Ponty, Bela Fleck, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White… spellbinding. And I got to enjoy Michael Hedges a couple times at the State Theatre in Kalamazoo. Can’t pick which I enjoyed most.

Oh yeah, saw The Tubes play a benefit show several years ago at a small summer stock theater, The Barn, near Augusta MI. Fantastic!

[maxrandb]

26. Any is fine

I actually considered Johnny Cash. I saw him at the Ohio State Fair for free in 1981.

At that time, all the Grandstand shows were free with admission.

He put on a great show. A couple other great non rock shows I had on my list of possibles is John Prine at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, and when I was an aspiring young guitar player, my dad took me to see Carlos Montoya at Ohio State University.

That was a great show, but unfortunately, it taught me that I'd never be more than an average strummed. That guy was amazing!

[ZZenith]

36. Michael Hedges!

I know that had to be a treat.

That Meijer Gardens show sounds like a dream band. Wow. Doesn’t get much more virtuosic than that!

[Buttoneer]

24. Van Halen 1979

[Unwind Your Mind]

25. It was a summer night about 15 years ago

The Eagles came to town for an outdoor show at the local college

Tons of our friends were there, we went to a party down the street before the show

They played for three hours, it was amazing. We had the best time

If you’ve seen the Live from Melbourne show they released on dvd, it was close to that.

[oregonjen]

27. John Denver

Saw him several times, but my favorite was when it was just him and his guitar, no band. Miss him.

[marble falls]

28. Every single one of them. How do you choose between Hendrix, the Stones, Grateful Dead, Phish ...

... Andreas VollenWeider, John McGlothlin, the Mothers, Hawkwind, Bad Company, the Kinks, the Outsiders, Todd Rungren, Roy Buchannan, Bowie, Caravan, Mountain, Little Richard, New York Rock Ensemble, .... toooo many.

[amerikat]

29. Rolling Stones. Exile on Main st tour 1972(Philly). Second would be Beachboys(Princeton NJ).

I've seen John Prine more than any other artist. Saw him with Steve Goodman, Bonnie Raitt, Jr Brown and others.

[gademocrat7]

30. The Doors

Sam Houston Coliseum July 1968.

[Brother Buzz]

31. Clover at Stolte Grove, Mill Valley, California

Pre Huey Lewis days, Alex Call, lead singer and songwriter (Alex wrote 867-5309/Jenny) had a key to the gate, and more importantly, a key to the power outlet.

It was a totally spontaneous afternoon in the redwood grove. First time I saw John McFee play a pedal steel.

[Silent Type]

34. Byrds 71 or Dylan/Band 74. Nowadays I like smaller venues and acoustic acts.

[Charlie Chapulin]

37. That's a tough one...

…there have been many. A few hi-lites:
Lene Lovich in 83
The Grateful Dead 77 Terrapin Station Tour (only time I saw them. I am not a Deadhead in any way, shape or form. Saw Kiss two weeks later)
Talking Heads at Red Rocks 83
The Stooges 05 (before the Asheton Bros died)
The Cure 89
Public Image 89
Primus in Amsterdam 91
Dexter Gordon 80 (have yet to see a drum solo to measure up with that one, though Primus comes close)
Escape from New York Tour 88?: Ramones, Blondie, Tom Tom Club
King Sunny Ade 88
The Cars w/Nick Lowe 83
Galactic every time
Los Lobos many times
Neil Young and Crazy Horse 12
Jane’s Addiction 89
The Mavericks 17 & 18
I could go on…and on…and on

[Dulcinea]

39. It's a tie!

Bruce Springsteen, August 1985, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh. He played for hours (as Bruce does) & I danced myself crazy!

OR: U2, October 1987, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh. Bono had broken his arm the night before falling off the stage, but he said, "I don't give a shit." Amazing show.

[onethatcares]

40. 1968 Philadelphia PA

two days at Convention Hall. Janis, Santana, Chicago Transit Authority, Joe Cocker, the Youngbloods & B>B> King.

Lost my ticket for the second day, talked to some guy at the door, he handed me a stack of playbills and said, "Hand these out and pick a seat"

I sat in a balcony box and had Janis sing "Ball and Chain" to me (or at least in my direction)

2nd bestest: Santana in the Anchorage Sports Arena somewhere in the early 70s. Watched the notes come off his guitar in gold, blue, red. I think
it had something to do with what they used to call windowpane.

[Stuart G]

45. Two totally different ..............Chicago Symphony Orchestra....Beeton's 5th Symphony

Peter, Paul and Mary....live in concert.

[unc70]

46. UNC chapel Hill, Jubilee! Concerts, various years

The UNC Jubilee spring "concerts" were each memorable. I personally attended those from 1967 to 1971. Each year, it was a three-day blowout. Interesting to see the change in music over the eight years.

Here is a partial list of performers:

1963: The Four Preps; The Chad Mitchell Trio; The Jades; The Migrants; The Duke Ambassadors; The Harlequins; Iain Hamilton

1964: The Four Freshmen; Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs; The Serendipity Singers; Charlie Byrd; The Sinfonians;

1965: Johnny Cash; June Carter; Statler Brothers Quartet; The Tennessee Three; The Four Preps; The Platters with the Sinfonians; The Modern Folk Quartet

1966: Jay and the Americans; The Bitter End Singers; Warm Brows and Cool Tones; David della Rossa and Brooks; Charlie Byrd; Al Hirt

1967: The Temptations; Jim Kweskin Jug Band; Petula Clark; The Association; The Fabulous Five Combo; The Dynamics Combo

1968: Carla Thomas; Rufus Thomas; The New Bar Kays; Neil Diamond; Junior Walker and the All-Stars; Spanky and Our Gang; Nancy Wilson; Soul, Limited

1969: Chambers Brothers; Babe Stovall; Red Parham; Elizabeth Cotton; Alice and Hazel; Bill McElreath; Rev. Pearly Brown; Paul Butterfield Blues Band

1970: Sweetwater; James Taylor; Pacific Gas and Electric; Joe Cocker and Mad Dogs; B.B. King; Grand Funk Railroad; Baby Boy Glover Resurrected; New Deal String Band

1971: Chuck Berry; Spirit; Cowboy; Muddy Waters; J. Geils; Brushy Mountain Boys; Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band; Allman Brothers; Alex Taylor; Tom Rush


Lots of discussions after this list.

https://blogs.lib.unc.edu/uarms/2019/01/28/unc-jubilee-performers-a-list/

[electric_blue68]

47. Several...

>The Who -Oct '69 The Filmore East
I'd seen them already 3xs in '68.
But now it was Tommy. Woah. Was up in the balcony, but I was there!
The Joshua Light Show enhanced the whole experience.
They also played "Naked Eye", but I don't think they announced it - might have been part of the long version of My Generation's instrumental interlude. So it was mysterious, and so intense!

>Bruce Springsteen/E Street - ? Academy of Music - '76
I'd just seen them th first time the night before. So fabulous that I went down to get a scalpers tix, and got one. Fifth Row!
(never got that close again. I'd say at least one arena show, and one Giant's Stadium show were as good. )

>U2 '93 & '09 Giants Stadium, Met Life
•ZOO TV Outdoors '93 There was so much of Achtung Baby I loved so much; that this was an amazing show despite being 3/4 of the way back, and like ?12 rows from the very top! 😮

•360 Tour Sept 2009
*This* time I got to the stadium at 8AM. I was so nervous going down the grassy incline into the place; then ran like hell once we got out of the "hallway" to get to the front of the outer ring barrier!
Every band that I really loved that got super famous - I always saw close up at first, and then almost never again. But U2: this was the first time after seeing them around 12 times from '84 onward that I'd ever seen them close up when they'd walk around the walkway. So that alone made it special. I loved much of NLOTH so I was excited to hear it live.

I must add that in '11 I saw them twice as well - the highest highlight being hearing Zooropa live for the first time!
Besides myself w joy!

Annnnd...
back to
>The Who - 1971 July 31 Forest Hills Stadium
If you threatened violence I'd probably pick Who's Next as my favorite Who album especially the CD version with Quad, and Tommy a few millimeters away.
So hearing a lot of it was fantastic!
BUT the most incredible thing for me was on hearing as the first notes were played: was that that haunting, beautiful ?coda to the already magnificent The Song Is Over - Pure and Easy was actually a whole song in itself! Thought I was going lose it I was so amazed. 😄🥰

Must put in
*Serious Honorable Mentions* to
•The Patti Smith Group
and
•Midnight Oil
Always degrees of great shows!