2. music
  3. 193216-2248

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!

 

128x128bdp24
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... 

gordonrgreen58
3 posts
 

Stevie Wonder opening for the Rolling Stones on their 1972 tour. Stevie Wonder levitated the auditorium. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
seamusmacd
1 posts
 

Linda Ronstadt opened for Jackson Browne at the Seton Hall University Field House in 1973. Jackson's full band including David Lindley. Linda stayed and sang with Jackson. Tickets were $2.50!

waytoomuchstuff's avatar
waytoomuchstuff
1,186 posts
 

I can't confirm this, but it's rumored that Keith Richards opened for Mozart on more than one occasion.

More to discover