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!

 

bdp24

Showing 2 responses by johnnotkathi

A couple:

In July 1978 went to a Day on the Green in Oakland, CA.  Playing were Aerosmith, Foreigner, Pat Travers and Van Halen.  Opening was a relatively unknow       "punk-ish" rock band, AC/DC.  They came out and literally/utterly destroyed the place.  Jaws dropped.  Not many had seen anything/anyone like Angus before.  The energy was incredible. It was an amazing day.  

 

In July 1982 went to see The Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, MDC and the Detonators at the Barn in Torrance.  Opening was again, a relatively unknown band this time from Indy, the Zero Boys.  These kids came out looking kind of dork-ish, (not the typical punk rock "attire" of the day) and just shredded the place from their first song to their last.  All bands were exceptional that day, but the Zero Boys blew them all off the stage.  They were new, fresh and just a GREAT band.  If interested, check out their Vicious Circle LP.  One of the best of the genre.