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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!

 

bdp24

Showing 3 responses by wharfy

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
424 posts
 

Josh Ritter and his band opening for Jason Isbell and his band, at the Count Basie Center in Red Bank, NJ, in 2016. I did not know who Ritter was and made an effort to familiarize myself with his songs beforehand. Thinking he was just "ok," I was blown away by his show. Jason Isbell joined him towards the end of his set and they performed a John Prine song together. I’ve seen Ritter, both with his band, and solo multiple times since.

 

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
424 posts
 

@jimsnicestuff 

When people are asked and share their memories about Jimi Hendrix and best opening acts, I'm hoping someone will reminisce about seeing Jimi Hendrix opening for the Monkees in 1967.

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
424 posts
 

@immatthewj -

I don't remember the song they played together. Looking through setlist.fm it probably was "Daddy's Little Pumpkin". 

"Girl in the War" is one of my wife's favorite Ritter songs. He's quite a songwriter and performer. Last Spring he did a small solo tour, road testing new songs and playing older ones. Wow, wow, wow...

Sermon on the Rocks and Gathering are terrific, if you get the chance to hear them.

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