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The best opening act you've ever seen & heard?

 

I have two:

 

In 1983 I went to see The Plimsouls (Peter Case’s pre-solo career band) at The Garage, a tiny little "club" on Ventura Blvd. The room had filled up (elbow-to-elbow tight), and the opening act started their set. My woman and I both looked at each other, our mouths agape. It was Los Lobos, and they were great! Their debut album How Will The Wolf Survive? had yet to be released, but I sure picked it up when it was.

 

I went to see John Hiatt at The Roxy Theater on Sunset Blvd. during his Perfectly Good Guitar tour, entering the room just as the opening act was starting her final song. The ads for the show listed her name, which was unfamiliar to me. As the song started and progressed, I was stunned; the song she and her band were performing was a great one, and I knew I had missed a quality set of music. It was Sheryl Crow, whose debut album had not yet been released. Damn it!

 

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jhconnor
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Mine is the same as Skippytate- Van Halen opening for Black Sabbath at MSG in 1978 (not 1980 like vinyl shadow mentioned) Ozzy had already left by 1980. In fact, his first tour was opened by Def Leppard which might get an honorable mention in this category. 
 

VH had just released their first album and my friends and I loved the album and loved the show. However, at MSG anyhow, the Sabbath fans were rabid. And by the end of the set they were more than ready for Van Halen to get off the stage. It was an incredible show. So glad I got to see Ozzy with Sabbath. 

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