posted on November 8, 2005 12:07:39 PM new
I've lived all over the country, and have seen hundreds of live performances from small hole in the wall bars to giant stadiums. I'm just curious what has been your best concert experiences. Who did you see? Where? When? What made is great?
My favorite two bands to see live are Widespread Panic and George Clinton's P-Funk (Parliament/Funkadelic). I've seen Panic all over the country, but my favorite two shows are New Years in Atlanta in 2002 and Ceasar's Palace two years ago. Caesars was also the toughest ticket I have ever had to get. Tickets sold out in less than 5 minutes. Fortunately, I pulled some strings with the ticket outlet and they sold me a pair of unclaimed tickets the week before the show.
P-Funk is an entirely different ballgame. I've seen them a three times, and each time I have a blast. The first show I went to, they started at 9pm, and didn't stop one time between songs. at 1am, The Crystal Ballroom (Portland) turned the lights on to encourage the band to stop. They played for another 45 minutes until they pulled the plug. P-Funk still kept playing for another 10 minutes as each member slowly left the stage. When the band left, the fans still kept the beat by clapping and singing, "Ain't no Party Like a P-Funk Party, and a P-Funk party don't stop!" It will always be one of my favorite shows. I was wearing a knee brace for a month, and after the concert I never had to wear it again. Divine Intervention??? Nope, just the power of Funk!
posted on November 8, 2005 12:58:38 PM new
Kraft- when I saw Pat in his leather outfit, I about fell out of my chair. That was funny. What was up with that stupid Garth Brooks/Chris Gaines thing? Nobody could pull a fictitious character off like David Bowie and Ziggy Stardust.
posted on November 8, 2005 01:12:32 PM new
BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King at Red Rocks Amphitheater (early 90's) Do I really need to say what made this show great? I've been in venues all over the country but Red Rocks is a vibe all it's own. Stunning venue, beautiful area, get there early,
BB King at BB Kings Blues Club L.A.(late 90's)
I love BB King, but this is one of the best complete shows I have ever seen. Opening was a 12 year old kid that played harmonica like you wouldn't believe. I have seen him a few times since on different music shows, next was a woman from the Memphis club, Ruby something that has that deep bluesy gospel voice that makes you cry. Next came a guy whose name I cannot remember for the life of me. Huge old bald blues guitar player just got lost in his music. You could see every note he played on his face. Just watching him play was damn near spiritual much less listening. Of course then you have BB King and at the end, a jam with all of his opening performers. Put all of this in a small nightclub standing 5 feet from the stage... whats not to love.
Goo Goo Dolls - Broadway Nightclub (early 90's
This one was before they broke (Superstar Car Wash tour) and there was no one at the club. I mean with staff there were about a dozen people. Despite that and the fact that the club was a dive to begin with (used to be funeral home - cremation oven under the stage)`they got on the stage and played like they were performing for 12,000. After the set the hopped down off the stage sat down at the tables with the audience and BSed with people till close.
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An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on November 8, 2005 01:23:05 PM new
John Lee Hooker at the Lonestar Cafe in NYC sometime in the early 80's. Had a couple drinks with him at the upstairs bar after the first set.
The Police in a bar in Albany NY. Me a girl friend and maybe 10 other people. They hadn't made it yet.
Johnny Winters and Janis Joplin jamming together at the West Palm Rock Fest. in (I think) 1969.
Was back stage with Clash when they played the RPI Field House. (I worked for RPI and got to give them their check) They were a great bunch.
posted on November 8, 2005 01:23:27 PM new
Can't list a 'best' or favorite...I loved them all except the one at the Cow Palace where Waylon Jennings and Willy Nelson preformed together. Jennings so stoned he couldn't sing the words to his songs properly. What a huge disappointment he was. Also saw 'Alabama' there at least three times.
Probably saw close o a hundred shows at the old Circle Star Theatre over the years, up until they tore the place down....mostly country western...like Charlie Pride, Tanya Tucker, Ronnie Milsap, can't remember the others....some less than 'stars' at the time...but good anyway. LOVED going there for dinner and then a show....until the house speakers got bad and they didn't replace them. But always had good seats there....there were no bad ones.
And went to the Flint Center a few times...the one that sticks in my mind was Don Williams...
And at the Saratoga Winery....always loved the 'soul' groups they booked there. Favorite Smokey Robinson.....
posted on November 8, 2005 01:48:00 PM new
Best-Air Supply in 1982,the light show was amazing.Then Def Leppard and Krokus in 1983 with all my high school friends lol we had a blast and the music wasn't half bad either.
Other good one were Alabama,Heart/Saga and Foreigner
Worst-Hank Williams Jr.,he was so drunk cause it was his birthday he couldn't stand.
posted on November 8, 2005 01:49:10 PM new
Fillmore West is the one in Denver? I used to bartend there for Tejano shows (if I never see another Presidente & Coke it'll be too soon) when it was Mammoth Event Center - old owners were this incredible Cuban couple and huge latino promotors. Saw Janes Addiction there also - great show, Perry was everywhere, including in the rafters.
If you do go to Red Rocks - get up there early and plan to be there late. early in the day you can enjoy the park and the people, then catch the show and the amazing sunsets. I used to spend most of most of my summers there, saw everyone from BB King to Iron Maiden and honestly loved every show. Was also there for the tortuous filming of theopening sequence of the Andrew Dice Clay movie Ford Fairlane. Took place in the middle of winter, at night in the low 30's but was supposed to be LA in the summer so coats on during set up, coats off, summer gear while filming. We froze our happy *sses off for hours wishing that Vince Niel really would die since he was faking it so badly but were rewarded with a 60 minute set by Queensryche at 1 am.
Getting out is a pain so either be prepared to hang with your your new found parking lot friends for about 45 minutes after the show or leave 10 minutes early.
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An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on November 8, 2005 01:52:21 PM new
Toasted - I saw that Def Leppard Tour - we were in the switch out city for the opener as Krokus was leaving and White Snake was joining. Good show but god was Krokus bad.
As long as we are talking about best shows - why not worst... My vote for the most consistantly horrible live band - Ratt. Saw then five times (they were on tours with bands I actually wanted to see), each time worse than the last.
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An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
[ edited by fenix03 on Nov 8, 2005 01:53 PM ]
posted on November 8, 2005 01:52:41 PM new
The other concert I remember as being incredible was Santana in 1986ish. Saw him at Crysler Arena in Ann Arbor. I won tickets on the radio. The show was so good, they even played the Talking Heads when the lights came on.
Ted Nugent was an alum of the high school i went to in Jackson, MI. Arrogant SOB. lol. He could really put on an amusing show though. Wango-z-Tango!!!!!!!
posted on November 8, 2005 03:29:28 PM new
Carlos Santana live in Mexico City, 1993. The concert was dedicated to Cesar Chavez, and the Mexico City stadium of 150,000 capacity was packed. Two days of Santana....hijo de la chingada I didn't want to come home....You can rent the video "Sacred Fire" to watch the concert...my face is actually in there, down near the front, briefly...
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Habla siempre que debas y calla siempre que puedas....
posted on November 8, 2005 03:32:23 PM new
fenix, I saw B.B. in an outdoor concert in Sedona, AZ about 5 yrs ago...I drove all night because I figured that was as close as I'd ever get to one of his gigs. Worth it, too.
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Habla siempre que debas y calla siempre que puedas....
posted on November 9, 2005 09:25:41 AM new
Iron Maiden shows rule. I saw Maiden in Jacksonville with Yngwie Malmsteen for the Somewhere in Time Tour, and then in Daytona Beach with Vinnie Vincent's Invasion. VVI sucked big time. I think the worst band I ever saw was Poison. I wish Colin would have been there with his BB gun to pelt CC Deville in the head. That guy cannot play guitar, but for some strange reason he thinks he can. My girlfriend wanted to see Poison, and I was more into Tesla who opened. The Scorpions always put on good shows. I saw Bon Jovi open for the Scorps in Battle Creek. Jon could barely walk he was so trashed.
posted on November 9, 2005 10:20:30 AM new
LOL I was going to mention a Yngwie Malmsteen show as one of my favs. Saw him with with Talas at Rainbow Music Hall, a tiny little 500 seat hall that used to be one of my favorite places for shows. It was like a battle of the masters between Sheehan and Malsteen
Gotta agree on CC. I don't know if he can really play or not because I've never seen him attempt to do it sober. (BTW- He just got sentenced to serve time on a DUI). Oh yeah, I saw that Poison/Tesla tour too.
I've only seen the Scorps twice but there were great both times, the best was at the big festival show that is now infamous for being the night that Dokken broke up. They played a lackluster set, went back to the dressing room and Don informed that band it was over.
Caught Bon Jovi with Motley Crue, Bon Jovi was great but I spent more time checking out the light/laser set up than the band during Crue's set.
BTW - Do you have any idea who told Michael Anthony that he was capable of pulling off 15 minute bass solos?
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on November 9, 2005 11:18:17 AM new
This conversation about CC and Michael Anthony reminds me of the Phish movie, Bittersweet Motel. There is a classic scene in a European Gun shop where Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordan are shopping for guns. Mike is (pretend) complaining that Trey played too many notes the night before. They start doing the Charlie Angel poses while holding 357 magnums. Trey is haggling with the Arabic clerk over the price with absolutely no intention of buying a gun. Instead he buys a bull whip.
I highly suggest checking out the Widespread Panic concert video Live at Oak Mountain. Probably one of the most talented bands ever across the board. 6 member band, that 5 of 6 members sing, 2 guitarists, bass player, piano/hammond organ, drummer, percussionist. Phenomenal!!!! Their music is sort of a cross between Santana and the Allman Brothers, but much more versatile. They easily cross Southern Rock with Latin, Funk, Blues, Jazz. Some say reminiscent of the Grateful Dead, but they are not even close. They are way more talented than the Dead ever were.
You'll hear them do covers from the Talking Heads, to Nelly, to Van Morrison, to Pink Floyd and they have a giagantic list of guest musicians who have played with them on stage including Carlos Santana, Bob Weir, Col. Bruce Hampton, North Mississippi Allstars, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, JJ Cale, Dr John, Derek Trucks, Dave Matthews, the Neville Bros, Taj Mahal, Steve Winwood, Robbie Kreiger (the Doors), and too many others.
If you love music, do yourself the favor and watch a video, grab a live CD, or even better... see them live. You will not be disappointed.
My friends and I have a pact that we buy one ticket for someone we know that has never seen them. It is like a drug... get them hooked and then they are on their own. LOL.
posted on November 9, 2005 04:43:09 PM new
The most memorable concert I ever went to was my first (we always remember our first, right?) - Grand Fund Railroad in 1974. The most entertaining concert was Paula Abdul. The best musically for me was Paul McCartney and Wings. The best tribute band concert was the one I went to Sunday night. The Musical Box. They hit Genesis' Lamb Lies Down on Broadway right on.
For the most part, every concert I've been to has been great because I only see bands I know I'm going to enjoy. The cost is so high now. $5 to see Grand Funk; $33 to see The Musical Box. That's one heck of a mark-up!
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
posted on November 9, 2005 06:52:07 PM new
like Rusty I have seen MANY concerts over the years.However our musical tastes are completely different.During the 70's we lived only a half hour from Madison Square Garden-New York City.
We have seen the likes of Neil Diamond,John Denver,The Bee Gees,Elton John,Billy Joel,Elvis,The Rolling Stones,Bob Seger,The Doobie Brothers,Creedence Clearwater Revival,The Moody Blues and Chicago among others.Below I have some pics of 4 of the most memorable concerts I have attended for various reasons-with a short story for each one.Sorry the pics are so big-I tried to downsize them,but it doesnt seem to work
This pic was taken on June 28,1966 at the Cow Palace in San Fransisco.On stage are the Beach Boys.The reason I like this concert was the number of groups that were playing with the Beach Boys-The Seeds-Chad and Jeremy,The Loving Spoonful,The Byrds,Neil Diamond,Percy Sledge,Jefferson Airplane and Doug Sahm-cant remember the name of the group he sang with,but they sang "Shes About A Mover" and later on had a hit with"Mendicino"Tickets $6.00.I saw the Rolling Stones here a month later on July 27,1966, the same day I got discharged from the Navy.There was a nation-wide airline strike and the next day I had to take the train home to N.Y.-5 days and 4 nights.
The next two pics are of Neil Diamond.These were taken on Oct 17,1972 at the Winter Garden Theater in New York City.The Winter Garden is famous in its own right.It was mentioned in the Cary Grant movie "North By Northwest" For 10 years the play "Oh Calcutta" was there and now "Mama Mia" is playing there,which we intend to see next summer.Neil Diamond along with the Eagles are my favorites.As you can see by the first pic,we were sitting in the second row.The second pic,I actually walked up to the stage and was only five feet away.
This pic of me (sunken chest and all,as one lady on here was quoted as saying LOL)was taken at a Fleetwood Mack concert at Ben Franklin Football field in Philadephia on July 28,1978.I had a pic of Fleetwood Mac on stage,but Im unable to find the damn thing.
Also on the bill were Bob Welsh and The Steve Miller Band.This was during Fleetwood Macs "Rumors" tour.I have played that album more then any in my 50 year history of listening to music-although another one I like very much was CCR'S "Comos Factory" The two buildings behind me are sports venues.The one directly behind me is 'Veterans Stadium" where the Philadelphia Phillies play.The one next to it,over my left shoulder is "The Spectrum" where the the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team play.
the last pic I did not take.This was taken from a blimp.However we are in the pic.This was taken on July 30,1980 at the Yale Bowl in New Haven,CT.This was Eagles on their "Long Run Tour" This was the last tour before breaking up for a number of years.Also on the bill was The Little River Band and Heart.I remember it was very hot that day-in the 90's and seeing a blimp cirling the stadium.About a year later the Eagles came out with a double live album called "Eagles Live" when I opened up the album here was this pic-3 feet long and one foot high.I couldnt scan the whole pic,but there were 70,000 people there and it took us 2 1/2 hours to get out of the parking lot.The white dot you see on the left is where me and my wife were sitting.
well after writing all this crap,I hope the pics come out okay LOL
Tickets $6.00.I saw the Rolling Stones here a month later on July 27,1966, the same day I got discharged from the Navy.There was a nation-wide airline strike and the next day I had to take the train home to N.Y.-5 days and 4 nights.
