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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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puptent's avatar
puptent
217 posts
 

Mental As Anything completely stole the show from U 2 on their American small venue introduction tour at The Rainbow in Denver. Same venue, Fabulous Thunderbirds (original Jimmy Ray line up) were so dominating I can't remember who they opened for

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bigo2121
4 posts
 

Fleetwood Mac opened for Ozzy Osborn 70 or 71? Bayfront Center St Pete Fla

mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
953 posts
 

So many to list, I am very fortunate to have seen so many.  But I thought this was one of the most interesting. 

Elton John opened for Leon Russel.  Anaheim Auditorium, and I believe that was 1971.  

mjm1951
2 posts
 

have a couple:

1) The Eagles opening for Jimmy Buffett in Miami Stadium about 76 or 77.

2) Stevie Wonder opening for The Stones at MSG.

 

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,076 posts
 

I saw the Eagles open for Ten Years After in the early 70's. I didn't much like them and the audience of TYA fans SURE didn't like them! 

On the other hand I saw Robin Trower open for Sha Na Na at Winterland in San Francisco in about 1974, and poor Sha Na Na. The place just went nuts for Trower and called him back for 3 encores and would have had him play all night if he could; he conquered the rock community of SF.

About a year later, Robin headlined a Day on the Green at Oakland Stadium, with Peter Frampton and Fleetwood Mac among the supports! Obviously this was right before they broke big, but that was still cool... 

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