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!
@sdberman - Saw Jeffrey Gaines at the Bottom Line In NYC almost 30 years ago. By himself. Mic unit strapped to his back. Awesome doesn't go far enough. Richard Thompson opening for Crowded House at the Beacon in 1991. Front row seats. Ex wife adored Crowded House (I dozed off through it; lots of smoke and jumping around though). Thompson was in spectacular form (She was bored). No one could hold a candle to his guitar playing. Rich |
I am old so these go back to ‘68-69. “Little Stevie Wonder” opening for the Supremes. It was half the show before I understood why someone was leading him around the stage. At the Fillmore East the 3rd act and headliner was Blood ,Sweat and Tears. Al Kooper had left the band but they were peaking in popularity. Some Southern rock/blues band called the Allman Brothers blew our minds as the opening act. Finally , Linda Ronstadt on the Neil Young tour in ‘73. It was in Hartford. The morons heckled her off the stage. Neil was pissed and almost cancelled. She was glorious for five songs |
@rar1 I saw him open for her in 1992, right around the time his first album came out. I believe that was the concert where they recorded his live version of Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes, which is a classic cover. I've seen Gaines probably a dozen or more times now, as he plays in local bars, wineries, small clubs, etc. in the Philly area. Still a great show, but I think he kind of hates when people request In Your Eyes! |
