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 1 response by stuartk

Freddie King opening for Elvin Bishop (if you think it should’ve been the other around, I agree). I was in high school -- it was either ’73 or ’74. That was some of the most intense Blues guitar playing I’ve witnessed in person, culminating in "Goin’ Down". I know Blues scholars prefer his earlier work with the cleaner-sounding P90 equipped Gold Top, but not me. I like the nastier tone he sported later on, with those big ol’ semi hollows and more gain. There’s a youtube video from some outdoor gig in Texas, I believe, from around that time, with a great version of "Ain’t Nobody’s Business". My favorite of the three Kings.