Rocky Road

From Classic Rock to Progessive to hip hop to today's hot new tunes!

Return to Rocky Road


Three best live concerts you've seen...

207.200.116.66

Posted on October 29, 2009 at 10:24:03
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15946
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
December 28, 2003
...unless the Beatles was one of them, it's time to move on.

Mine:

1. Rolling Stones - 1969 - Get your Ya Ya's Out Tour - Colo. State Univ. Gym - Ft. Collins

2. Who - 1971 - Who's Next Tour - Denver Arena

Tie. Rod Stewart - 1971 - Every Picture Tells a Story Tour - Denver Arena

Jimi Hendrix - 1968 - Are You Experienced Tour - Regis College Field House, Denver

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 31, 2009 at 17:39:33
Ross
Audiophile

Posts: 282
Joined: January 24, 2000
Springsteen in the late 70's at the Stone Pony for an unannounced show.

Elvis Costello at the Capital Theater in his 1st US tour.

REM spring 1985 outdoor free concert in Athens GA.

Best,

Ross

Only 3......, posted on October 30, 2009 at 23:30:41
woodyjeff
Audiophile

Posts: 647
Location: S,East US
Joined: December 22, 2003
Out of the hundreds of concerts I've forgotten-usually due to modern chemistry in my teen years followed by numerous venues w/ travel accommodations financed by the USAF - a few stand out.If I must choose 3....

Queen 1977 - Atlanta The Omni(I think)
Mothers Finest - 1980(?) Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom
Rush/Marillion/Blue Oyster Cult - 1985 - outdoor festival in Germany

MC5 Circa 197(1?) Baton Rouge at the Speakeasy, posted on October 30, 2009 at 19:08:54
Road Warrior
Audiophile

Posts: 7373
Location: Dallas
Joined: August 31, 2004
Contributor
  Since:
January 28, 2008
A DJ I liked was plugging their concert, having not heard of them I was leery but decided to give it a try. Damn near a life changing event. They came back two weeks later, to a truly massive (compared to their 1st concert) and completely energized crowd.

Oddly enuf my next most energy driven concert was Elton Freekin John on his Honky Chateau tour.

Hendrix (1967) didn't suck either. Oh yea, a post I just read below reminded me that The Soft Machine opened for JH. That poster liked em, not so much here.

RE: MC5 Circa 197(1?) Baton Rouge at the Speakeasy, posted on October 31, 2009 at 03:54:14
FenderLover
Audiophile

Posts: 3312
Joined: July 31, 2007
Contributor
  Since:
May 17, 2009
Lucky dog! I would loved to have seen them live. There's not even much film archive of them.

:^(

Tough to come up with just three, but here goes, ..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 17:20:07
Raiderman
Audiophile

Posts: 1050
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Joined: March 14, 2003
1. Paul McCartney and Wings in 1989 at Berkeley.
Lots of great Beatles and Wings songs. And the pyrotechnics that went off for Live and Let Die almost blinded me, (as I was watching through my binoculars!) I still remember that concert like it was yesterday, (no pun intended!) :-)

2. Stone Temple Pilots, the Purple tour, in 1994(?) at the San Jose Arena.
While the San Jose Arena is a pretty crappy venue, I had incredible seats, center stage, about 10th row. Absolutely fantastic set.
(Unfortunately, I got ringing in my left ear that lasted for almost a year from this one, but it did go away. Thank you Lord!)

3. Tough call here. A 4 way tie. (Yeah, Yeah, I'm cheating!)

Wilco, A ghost is Born tour, at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts, which is a great venue to see concerts. Wow!, is all I can say.

REM, The Green tour, at Mtn. View's Shoreline amphetheater. A great concert that saw Michael Stipe at the top of his game, (and obviously right before he quit doing drugs, because I've seen him several times since, and while he has been good, (sometimes), he has never quite had that same intensity again.)

Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe (YES), in the late eighties, at Mtn. View's Shoreline amphetheater. They were really on their game that night, and they recorded the performance too, which I have on gold CD. A band that I did not get to see in their prime, but managed to catch them on a good night. (I've seen YES a couple times since, and they never quite lived up to that performance.)

The Jefferson Airplane, (back in the late eighties), at the Greek Theater, (another great venue!), when they reformed the original band. It was too cool, as I am a big fan, and never got to see them in their prime.

Sorry to cheat, but listing just three was too damn hard! :-)

Ry Cooder et al, 1976, Alison Krauss, 1988, Flaco Jimenez 1990 or so, posted on October 30, 2009 at 13:58:49
PabloP
Audiophile

Posts: 13472
Joined: January 23, 2001
Ry Cooder at the Roxy in LA, accompanied by Flaco, anbd Terry Evans, Bobby King and Eldridge King, Gabby Pahinui, all the folk on the Showtime album.

Alison Krauss at 17 in the backroom of a guitar shop in Santa Monica (west LA). For an encore she did an a capella "I Will."

Flaco Jimenez at the same guitar shop. He had a band member who sang a version of "Before the next Teardrop Falls" in English and Spanish that brought tears to my eyes. He never recorded it.

________

"Occasionally we list eccentrically, all sense of balance gone."

CSNY, Richard Thompson, and Bryan Bowers, posted on October 30, 2009 at 13:13:40
John N
Audiophile

Posts: 700
Joined: May 10, 2000
CSNY Chicago September 1974
Richard Thompson LA 1993 or 1994

and to be rather obscure
any of the many times I went to hear the autoharpist Bryan Bowers. The master of his instrument, and a superb storyteller and entertainer

I saw CSNY the night Nixon resigned, posted on October 30, 2009 at 15:01:28
dwill123
Audiophile

Posts: 1540
Location: Philadelphia
Joined: September 7, 2003
Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, NJ. I can't remmeber which member made the annoucement but the crowd 20 - 30 thousand went wild. Then CSNY broke into "Ohio" and the party was ON.

Was it Crosby that made the announcement?, posted on October 30, 2009 at 16:58:51
danj
Audiophile

Posts: 3011
Location: S. Oregon
Joined: December 11, 2001
I would have loved to have been there but I was 11,000 miles away working for Uncle Sam. We heard the news on AFRTS radio and, believe me, there were more than a few of us who let out a little involuntary "whoop!" One had to be careful when in uniform, you know.

I went home and tipped a few cool ones in honor of the old cold warrior - glad the SOB was finally gone.

In April of '75 I got to spend some quality time working the evacuation of South Vietnam. The ghost of Nixon just would not go away..........

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 13:13:30
mauimusicman
1) Brian Wilson presents SMiLE Michigan Theatre, Ann Arbor, Mi (magical)
2) Dan Fogelberg on Maui (small venue, very intimate show, Dan was amazing)
3) Tower Of Power Colorado Springs (we opened for them for that show)

Worst concert ever was Led Zep Mpls Minnesota (Robert plant spoke the words to every song) It was so bad, there isn't a second worst concert and i've seen hundreds of concerts)

Brian Wilson..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 13:29:21
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15946
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
December 28, 2003
...seeing him live in Oakland at the end of his Pet Sounds tour, joined by Al jardine, was one of the best concerts I've seen in the last few years.

RE: Brian Wilson..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 21:59:01
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 1155
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
I saw him after he made his first return to the Beach Boys. He kept staring at himself in the big screens during the first half of the show. The second half of the show, the screens were turned off.

It was obvious the damage was done.

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 11:46:29
felrob
Audiophile

Posts: 53
Location: Vancouver
Joined: August 7, 2009
Lots of good ones way in the past...

One special one that I compare every other concert to:

Almost 30 years ago the first tour of the guitar super trio - Al DiMeola, Paco DeLucia, and John McLaughlin. They were ok, if you like listening to really fast scale patterns all night. The magic was the opening act - Steve Morse, all alone on an acoustic guitar. I have never heard such complete mastery of musical (as opposed to merely technical) guitar playing. The Queen Elizabith Theatre in Vancouver was packed, and I swear no one even *breathed* while Morse did his magic. This was shortly after the Dixie Dregs era.

The special treat of the night was when Morse came out to join the heavy hitters for an encore,they took their turns, and the three sat with thier mouths open as Morse showed them how it should be done.

Amazing.

That's a tall order, posted on October 30, 2009 at 11:12:41
padreken
Audiophile

Posts: 7197
Joined: November 28, 2000
Contributor
  Since:
April 5, 2002
Roy Orbison, October 1988 at the Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park (just a couple of months before he died) was incredible-he was in amazing vocal form that night (I saw him a couple of years earlier in a more intimate venue-that was amazing, too).

Lyle Lovett-I've seen Lyle 3 times, and they were all great shows, but the most memorable was with the Large Band with Rickie Lee Jones opening at San Diego State (He and Rickie did several songs together during Lyle's set, and it was just magic).

The Who-saw them a couple of years ago at the Sports Arena on the Endless Wire tour. They've always been on my concert bucket list, and they did not disappoint-Won't Get Fooled Again was a moment I'll never forget. Townsend windmilled with abandon and Daltrey sounded great (Zach Starkey's drumming was great, too).

ELO-the Out of the Blue tour, at the old "big A" in Anaheim. Great (for the era) special effects, and Jeff and company sounded great.

Honorable mentions-the Stones at Petco Park, Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens at San Diego State, Johnny Cash at Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, and Asia plus Yes, Emmylou Harris (all acoustic show), Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss & Union Station, the Mavericks with Junior Brown (all at Humphrey's), the Moody Blues (backed by the San Diego symphony) at the Embarcadero in the 90's, Elton John/Billy Joel at the MGM Grand in Vegas in 1994.





RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 03:09:13
audioAl
Audiophile

Posts: 921
Location: So. Texas
Joined: December 16, 2007
1. POCO, Free at the Mid-South Fair 1977 Memphis,Tn
2.Lynyrd Skynard 1976 Mid-South Colisuem W/ Golden Earring
3. Black Sabbath 1975 or 76 Mid-South Colisuem
Vista Ultimate 32bit/Diamond XS Dac/ Sterovox coaxial line in to Insignia Amp/Cambridge SoundWorks& Infinity RS 1001 Speakers

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 05:31:09
Frank I
Audiophile

Posts: 745
Joined: December 9, 2001
Fleetwood Mac
Roger Waters
Santana

I'm hopeless on dates, but, posted on October 30, 2009 at 00:22:34
John_the_Scot
Audiophile

Posts: 1216
Location: Strathclyde
Joined: August 21, 2003
the best would have been The Who at Celtic Park Glasgow in the mid 70's in an all day event. The other bands in the line up were Little Feat, who were my reason for going, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, The Outlaws, Family, Ellis and a couple of others I dont remember.

Again, mid 70's. Led Zeppelin at the Glasgow Apollo for the 4th album tour and Yes's Topographic Oceans tour at the same venue.

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 22:55:33
Atwood
Audiophile

Posts: 302
Joined: October 10, 2001
The Who in 76 and later in 86, their "farewell tour"
Lynyrd Skynyrd in 74 in a small club in Jacksonville--so hot that Ed King passed out while playing "Freebird"

Hearing Rashied Ali at Ali's Alley was a cool introduction to NYC--saw Crosby and Stills in Central Park the next day for $2.

Eagles "on the Border" tour in 76 was a good one. And on and on.

Special mention to all the Hare Krishna timbale players who have performed outside concert venues while spreading the word.

Eagles..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 10:10:18
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15946
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
December 28, 2003
...I lived in Long Beach fropm 1973 to 1978 and we used to go to the Santa Monica Civic a lot.

I saw the Eagle's On the Border concert there and it was pretty memorable.

Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt always seemed to be there as a headliner or opening act.

Once Linda, Bonnie and Maria Muldaur came out and did an encore together.

Later in the 1970s they all seemed to move to the Universal Amphitheater, a little larger venue.

I recall seeing Linda perform there twice in one week in her little cubscout uniform. Saw Jackson do his Running on Empty tour there.

I assume they don't have to be rock only?, posted on October 29, 2009 at 21:09:56
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 1155
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
I know this is out there, but for pure entertainment and a special night... Leon Redbone opening, and then Tom Waits going on until 2:00 am. College auditorium, big storm. By 12 am there was probably only 40-50 people still there.

Paul McCartney and Wings, 1977 tour. Best moment, him playing his classics on an acoustic guitar. You could have heard a pin drop in an arena seating 20,000+.

Little Feat with Lowell George. Tight band with a Master singer.

I hope to still be able to see..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 21:27:56
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15946
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
December 28, 2003
...Paul McCartney some day.

I saw Leon Redbone at the Greek Theater in LA in about 1976 opening for The Band, IIRC. Unique and entertaining.

I saw Little Feat in Berkley in about 1978 or '79 just before Lowell died. Terrific show.

Just had some Domain Drouhin pinot noir while in Washington last week which I recommend.

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 19:35:46
mancavemike
Audiophile

Posts: 33
Location: British Columbia
Joined: September 22, 2009
Whoa..that's a toughie...

1 Pink Floyd DSOTM Tour
2 YES
3 ELP

All around '72 -'75 in the Pacific Colliseum Vancouver

Honourable mention:

Dave Brubeck ( Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vanc. )
Bruce Hornsby and Bonnie Rait ( Orpheum Vanc. )

Sorry for vague dates....the 70's were my "60's" ;-)


Yes 1990, posted on October 30, 2009 at 02:30:54
Squonk
Audiophile

Posts: 1682
Location: Indianapolis
Joined: August 17, 2005
Anderson, Howe, Squire, Wakeman, Bruford. Was at Deer Creek (outdoor arena). I had great seats. On the way there, I was telling my buddies that second side of Going For The One was my fav. We get there, what do they play? Second side of Going For The One. Completely blew me away. Was like a religious experience, and, the sound was AWESOME!
Photobucket

RE: Yes 1990, posted on October 30, 2009 at 17:21:47
Raiderman
Audiophile

Posts: 1050
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Joined: March 14, 2003
Hey, that was one of mine too.
(Although I saw them at Mtn. View's Shoreline Amphetheater.)
It was indeed a great concert.
(I was at the concert that they recorded the concert at!)
Do you have that CD?

YES 2004, posted on October 29, 2009 at 21:58:42
Mxyzptlk
Audiophile

Posts: 12
Joined: August 29, 2009
YES, 2004 with all original members, front row. Met the band backstage afterwords and got two vinyl albums signed by all of the guys. Indescribable experience.

RE: YES 2004, posted on October 29, 2009 at 22:12:31
mancavemike
Audiophile

Posts: 33
Location: British Columbia
Joined: September 22, 2009
Nice!! Still got the signed albums?

Still have the albums, posted on October 30, 2009 at 04:08:34
Mxyzptlk
Audiophile

Posts: 12
Joined: August 29, 2009
and a signed poster as well. It was a package deal that included the front row seats, signed poster, meet the band, photo with the band, etc.

Best concert experience I ever had.

RE: Still have the albums, posted on October 30, 2009 at 10:24:21
mancavemike
Audiophile

Posts: 33
Location: British Columbia
Joined: September 22, 2009
Wow...I'm jealous. In all the years and god knows how many concerts, I never had that kind of close-up and back-stage experience. On the other hand, I have met Edgar Winter, Charlie Daniels and a few other performers in my old days as a Border Officer...not quite the same impact but fun nonetheless...

Yes..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 21:22:18
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15946
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
December 28, 2003
...I've seen them twice.

As an opening act for the Allman Brothers (with Duane) in about 1971.

And in a reunion tour about 5 or 6 years ago - they were in great form and I was much more able to appreciate them.

RE: Yes..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 21:43:43
mancavemike
Audiophile

Posts: 33
Location: British Columbia
Joined: September 22, 2009
I remember it was post-YESSONGS as I had an idea of what to ( hopefully ) expect..and they didn't disappoint in the slightest. I seem to remember there was a multi-headed creature in the style of their album artwork and each of the "heads" hovered over the band-members as a spotlight etc. The sheer spectacle of those performances was so overwhelming...as if their musicianship wasn't enough all by itself!

Mike

RE: Yes..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 07:10:06
STEVE H
Audiophile

Posts: 461
Joined: December 15, 2000
Sounds like the Tales From Topographic Oceans tour of 1974. Saw them for that tour at the Los Angeles Forum.
I've seen Yes probably about 20 times, starting with the Close to the Edge tour.

Chris Squire..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 22:35:38
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15946
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
December 28, 2003
...is one of my favorite bassists and is pretty entertaining to watch.

Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe are no slouchs either.

Grateful Dead New Year's Eve 1983/4, posted on October 29, 2009 at 19:33:26
ArdRi
Audiophile

Posts: 1655
Location: Northeast USA
Joined: January 29, 2006
King Crimson New York City August 16th 2008, The Who with the Clash @ Shea Stadium October 1982 or Cream October 2005 NYC.

impossible to choose 3, or even 300, posted on October 29, 2009 at 19:15:48
musiclistener
Audiophile

Posts: 1097
Location: Maryland
Joined: March 13, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
March 24, 2005
seen over 500 - the first was great (supremes in dc 1965), so was the most recent (cowboy junkies at the barns of wolftrap 2 weeks ago)

it would even be hard to list 3 bad shows - if you go to see good bands, you'll see good shows



"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -HST

your hearing must be shot, posted on October 30, 2009 at 02:20:54
jimmyjames
Audiophile

Posts: 3176
Location: Raleighwood
Joined: February 20, 2001
if not you are lucky. I used to go to shows in the 70's and my ears would ring the next day, now they ring all the time. 500 shows is a lot of shows in 45 years.

"E pur si muove...And yet it moves"

luckily, my hearing is a-ok (my wife's an audiologist), posted on October 30, 2009 at 14:04:40
musiclistener
Audiophile

Posts: 1097
Location: Maryland
Joined: March 13, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
March 24, 2005
and we still go to at least 15-20 shows a year!


"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -HST

RE: impossible to choose 3, or even 300, posted on October 29, 2009 at 21:19:35
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15946
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
December 28, 2003
...I'd guess most of us here have seen 100s. I've never counted.

My first was in 1965 - the surfing band The Pyramids who had the hit "Penetration". I'm sure you remember that one.

In 1967 on spring break I saw the Four Tops at the Fountainebleau in Miami.

Last one I saw was Doobie Brothers at the Fillmore last month.

Only three? That's hard., posted on October 29, 2009 at 19:03:21
dwill123
Audiophile

Posts: 1540
Location: Philadelphia
Joined: September 7, 2003
1) Procol Harum, King Crimson, Yes(opened) - Academy of Muisc NYC 1971

2) Eric Clapton, Santana (encore jam w\Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin) Nassau Coliseum Long Island NY

3) Sly and the Family Stone, The Wailers(opened) (original w\Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh & Bob Marley) Nassau Coliseum Long Island NY

And then ...., posted on October 29, 2009 at 18:49:35
Posts: 725
Location: Atlanta
Joined: December 15, 2003
I had friends who saw the same Stewart tour. I was fifteen and wished I could have gone. A few months later I would have been sixteen and could have "snuck" out.

I guess you got to see SOFT MACHINE open for Hendrix? I would have loved to have heard that show. Both of them, of course. I remember hearing the ads on the radio for the show.

Saw the WHO for QUADROPHENIA but would have MUCH rather have been there for NEXT. I am sure it was a much rawer performance.

Never heard much good about ROLLING STONES shows though I guess there was a certain atmosphere.

My favorites: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND opening for JETHRO TULL (The SPOTLIGHT KID). The best performance of all. It was a musical show but to see that extraordinary assemblage play was unintentional theatre of the highest order.

Second, the RESIDENTS at the 688 CLUB. Their performance of IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S MAN's WORLD is seared into my memory for reasons similar to those listed above.

Third would have to be the last PAVEMENT performances in Atlanta, two consecutive nights in two different clubs. The only time I heard them play as a band. The crowd was excited and they were inspired. Not to forget the incredible performances by US MAPLE as the opener each night. You thought they were making it up as they played only to hear them do it again the next night. So, I guess the combination is part of the memory.

Strong fourth, was the only time I got to hear Richard Thompson with band, which means electric guitar. This is too goddamn hard, making RT fourth ... I am embarrassed. I remember the album supported was not a particularly favorite one (no Linda, one or two after SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS) He has never played with band in Atlanta since. Thompson and Telecaster is an extraordinary thing to hear. I am going to have to get another glass of wine after this.

Good question. Now the second three would be next to impossible to distill.

On second thought , I hate these questions. A subjectivist should never be tricked into these exercises. Is this a VH! forum?

you should be ashamed.

RE: And then ...., posted on October 29, 2009 at 19:08:12
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15946
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
December 28, 2003
>I had friends who saw the same Stewart tour. I was fifteen and wished I could have gone. A few months later I would have been sixteen and could have "snuck" out.>

Guess I got a few years on you - I was in college. Remember Rod was an ex-soccer player and in his prime then - he was all over the stage with that mic stand. And what a terrific band he had then.

>I guess you got to see SOFT MACHINE open for Hendrix? I would have loved to have heard that show. Both of them, of course. I remember hearing the ads on the radio for the show.>

I don't recall there was an opening act. It was a small field house. He set his guitar on fire at the end. Amazing.

>Never heard much good about ROLLING STONES shows though I guess there was a certain atmosphere.>

Maybe you talked to the wrong people...

>My favorites: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND opening for JETHRO TULL (The SPOTLIGHT KID). The best performance of all. It was a musical show but to see that extraordinary assemblage play was unintentional theatre of the highest order.>

I saw him twice - in a very small club in Denver just after Clear Spot - musta been about 1973. And then again in a small club in San Francisco a few years later, maybe 1978. Zoot Horn Rollo was still with him.

Never saw Jethro Tull live but I showed up without a ticket to a concert he did at Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Denver in the early 1970s. There was a riot, teargas, police helicopters, etc.

>Thompson and Telecaster is an extraordinary thing to hear. I am going to have to get another glass of wine after this.>

Never heard him play.

>On second thought , I hate these questions. A subjectivist should never be tricked into these exercises. Is this a VH! forum?
you should be ashamed.>

Right. Very.

Whoooo, boy, that's a tough one..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 18:34:18
madisonears
Audiophile

Posts: 488
Location: midwest
Joined: September 6, 2006
Only three? After all these years and shows? You can't even keep your own rule and list four!

I've seen the Who five times since 1974, so just about any one of those would be near the top, but the best was my first, from the Keith Moon era. Never saw a bad show. The Who must be the greatest live act of all time, yet only a few performances were recorded, and all those pale in comparison to the real thing. I can't explain...

I've seen Led Zep three times, but not sure that any of those are among the absolute best.

How about the Midwest Rock Festival in 1969? Blind Faith, Bonnie and Delaney with Dave Mason on guitar, John Mayall just weeks before he recorded "Turning Point", The MC5, and Taste, plus some other forgotten bands, all on the same day.

In retrospect, the last SRV concert at Alpine Valley, where he, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, and Clapton all jammed for a couple songs. Clapton was amazing that night, the best I've ever seen him. The sad news the next day was especially crushing after such elation.

Hendrix in 1970 was already slipping from his best, but what a memorable event!

Then there are the Stones, who, though I love them dearly, have never put on their best for me.

How about Dylan on Hallowe'en night about eight(?) years ago? He rocked the joint for 2-1/2 hours in perfect voice and with an excellent backing band right after "Love and Theft" was released. People in the audience wore costumes of DYLAN SONGS. When he broke into "Rainy Day Women" the place (Kohl Center with very good acoustics and 14,000 audience) just went absolutely nuts! People who had seen him many times before said it was the best show he'd ever put on.

Most recently, Keb Mo and Bonnie Raitt melted my heart into a puddle. I cannot imagine two living performers I would rather see sing and play together. Always loved Bonnie...

Never cared for the Dead, so I didn't like their concerts much.

How can I forget Little Feat in 1975? Lowell George was still very much alive. Leslie West came on to play "Fat Man in the Bathtub"!

Is that three yet?

Peace,
Tom E

BLUE OYSTER CULT, posted on October 29, 2009 at 18:15:37
Tubesteak
Audiophile

Posts: 90
Joined: September 23, 2000
BOC live in St. Petersburg, Fl. a few years ago. Those guys CAN still ROCK!!!

In no particular order, posted on October 29, 2009 at 17:04:10
dave c
Audiophile

Posts: 28436
Location: Ferny Hills
Joined: April 17, 2000
Jan Garbarek Group, Brighton 1995(?)

Talking Heads entire British Tour 1981

Richard and Linda Thompson Sussex University 1975

Ute Lemper QPAC Brisbane 2003

Tim Buckley Queen Elizabeth Hall London 1968

I could list another dozen easily that make the leap into the what at 15 would have seemed life changing and later merely are vastly life enhancing.


Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 16:26:03
ElmerFuddRules
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Location: Carolinas
Joined: December 23, 2004
Frank Zappa: 1977 Fox Theater Atlanta
Miles Davis: Charlotte, NC 1990?
Led Zepplin: Greensboro, NC 1975

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 14:03:20
Audiophilander
Audiophile

Posts: 27672
Location: Fort Worth (D/FW Metroplex)
Joined: March 31, 2000
1) The WHO 1976 By The Numbers Tour - Myriad - OKC

2) BOC/UFO co-headliners 1977 (BOC pre-banned laser show supporting Spectres & UFO tour from which Strangers in The Night was recorded) - Lloyd Noble Arena - Norman OK

3) Black Sabbath 1978 Never Say Die Tour (supported by Van Halen) - front row - Reunion Arena - Dallas, TX

Honorable mention:

ELP - Works tour w/o orchestra - 1977 - in surround - Myriad - OKC
Procol Harum (supported by Heads, Hands & Feet) - 1973 - Civic Center - OKC
Joe Bonamassa (every time; too many to count; various venues)
ZZ Top (w/o beards; circa '73) Tres Hombres tour - headlining outdoor multi-group concert off of an open sided semi, complete with live longhorn steer & buffalo (if memory serves) - Fairgrounds OKC

Many more great concerts, but these stand out in my mind right now.

AuPh

Only three?, posted on October 29, 2009 at 13:52:54
60SXRD
1) The Who, Pontiac Stadium (Silverdome), Winter '75.
2) Yes, Cobo Hall, Summer '76. Roger Dean designed three-headed monster stage w/lasers!
3) Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Universal (now Gibson) Amphitheater L.A., mid 80's. A great l o o n g retrospective set list on a stage set up as a garage.



Easy, posted on October 29, 2009 at 13:19:24
danj
Audiophile

Posts: 3011
Location: S. Oregon
Joined: December 11, 2001
1. The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl - second show 1965
2. The STAX Soul Revue in 1968
3. The Who at the Cow Palace July 1973
4. Jimi Hendrix at the University of Oklahoma in Norman - May 8, 1970.

some notables:
Dave Mason - August 1973
Elton John, Oakland Arena, July 1973
Johnny Cash and June Carter - Portland, OR 1980(?)
John Mayall at the Paramount, Portland, OR 1973
The Guess Who, Seattle - 1971
BB King and Buddy Guy

Easy again, posted on October 29, 2009 at 14:33:40
Orchardist
Audiophile

Posts: 223
Location: NH
Joined: April 6, 2003
1.The Rolling Stones first US date at the late Manning Bowl ,Lynn,Mass. June,1966.Less than 1/2 hour thanks to the excesses of Lynn's less than finest.Maybe not the best concert but....

2. The Doors at The Hampton Beach Casino,Hampton Beach,NH late August or early September 1967,maybe Labor day weekend?A very hazy weekend indeed.

3.The incomparable Sonny Rollins at Opus 40 Saugerties,NY summer 1981 and or 1982. Yeah I know it's two, but it is Sonny Rollins.

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 13:13:41
jimmyjames
Audiophile

Posts: 3176
Location: Raleighwood
Joined: February 20, 2001
I saw a lot of shows in the 70's but Johnny Winter '74, Eric Clapton '74, Led Zep '76, Stones '76 were the best with the Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Blvd show being the absolute best with guest appearances by just about everyone in the rock scene at the time including Pete Townshend. Never got to see the Who or Thin Lizzy live and really regret that.

"E pur si muove...And yet it moves"

The Who ...., posted on October 29, 2009 at 12:23:04
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 2929
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
1. The Who, Shea Stadium, 1989

2. Jaco Pastorius, The Bottom Line, NYC, 1988

3. Steppenwolf, Toads Place, New Haven, CT, 1991


reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

Robin Trower, posted on October 29, 2009 at 12:18:06
Mike B.
Manufacturer

Posts: 15914
Location: Oregon
Joined: September 27, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
September 1, 1999
I don't remember the year but in the 1970's at a night club in Portland Oregon. Very intimate environment and a super dynamic trio.

RE: Three best live concerts you've seen..., posted on October 29, 2009 at 12:17:00
boboli
Audiophile

Posts: 387
Location: Arizona
Joined: May 12, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
November 10, 2006
1. The Who, 1969, Philadelphia - performed all over Live at Leeds album and all of Tommy. The James Gang opened.

2. Pink Floyd, 1972 - Philadelphia - Eclipse tour where they debuted Dark Side of the Moon prior to its release.

3. My wife's entry - The Beatles, 1964, Atlantic City - She couldn't hear a thing above the screaming.

Age showing in these choices.

Rush- "Power Windows" Tour 1986............, posted on October 29, 2009 at 11:14:25
Todd Krieger
Audiophile

Posts: 22055
Location: SW United States
Joined: November 2, 2000
At the Pacific Amphitheater, which is now known as Irvine Meadows........

Also......

The Who in 2006, Hollywood Bowl......
I'd also throw in several Aleks Syntek concerts and the Rush R30 concert at Phoenix Cricket Pavilion.


For the record.., posted on October 29, 2009 at 13:37:34
60SXRD
Pacific Amphitheater is still at the OC Fairgrounds. Irvine Meadows is now Verizon Amphitheater.

I Stand Corrected [nt], posted on October 29, 2009 at 13:57:32
Todd Krieger
Audiophile

Posts: 22055
Location: SW United States
Joined: November 2, 2000



ELP 1992 Great Woods..., posted on October 30, 2009 at 07:53:55
phatty
Audiophile

Posts: 2695
Joined: January 28, 2002
...I was in the front row
Keith Emerson Band- Toads Place 2007 - I was in the front row, talked to Keith during the concert
ELP Madison Square Garden 1972 ...in full Quad. The sound of that concert has never been approached anywhere. This was before MIDI.

Honorable mention
Watkins Glen 1973
The Band, The Allman Brothers and The Gratefull Dead

RE: ELP 1992 Great Woods..., posted on November 3, 2009 at 11:16:05
Best for all around was Knebworth Park in 1974, Alex Harvey, Van Morrison, John McLaughlin (with Vassar Clements and John Luc Ponty), Doobie Brother and Allman Brothers Band. ABB came out at 9 PM after 8 hours of music and said "This is our first time in Europe, we are going to play every song we know!". They played for 3 1/2 hour and said the last train is leaving in 1/2 an hour so hear is a love song go close, and then broke into Whipping Post. Amazing concert...

Janis Joplin, Frankfurt Germany 1970 with Fult Tilt Boogie. They did a complete set and then said 'We have to do it again for television, anyone who wants to stay can hang out... no one left and they did another full set.

Third is a tie between the Allman Brothers Band with Duane Allman during the Live at the Fillmore tour and The Doors, opened by Canned Heat.

Page processed in 0.375 seconds.