The best opening act you've ever seen & heard?

1980 or 1981    The English Beat opening for the Pretenders at the Capital Theater

-I loved both bands, and they played great shows

August 1982    Duran Duran (first US tour) *and* David Johansen opening for Blondie at the Brenden Bourne Arena

The end of Blondie's Autoamerican tour.  Debbie Harry was stoned but was able to get through a credible duet with Fab Five Freddie on Rapture.  Duran Duran were ok, but little did I know what they would become over the next 12mos.  David Johansen was the local boy made good, and played a great show in front of a supportive audience.

Evening is also memorable because I took my then girlfriend to the show, and had to accept that her idiot DJ wannabe brother would have to come with her.....

Stray Cats opened for The Rolling Stones in Cedar Falls,Ia 1981 Tattoo You Tour. Brian Setzer was incredible.

Well not exactly the opening act but a surprise nonetheless. Santana at Woodstock.

No one out east had heard of them . They were virtually unknown as their first album had not yet been released. Before they played many were thinking who is this band. Let’s geton with it and bring on The Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, The Who, Hendrix..... and so on.

Well they played their set and the crowd and me were stunned, just standing there with their mouth hanging open. They were amazing and I only wished I could see them do another set rather than all those big names I was waiting for....except maybe Hendrix.

saw cheap trick, heart and REO Speedwagon in 84 (Honolulu)

then saw BTO open for Van Halen in Seattle in the late 80's?

Fleetwood Mac and Rory Gallagher opening for Deep Purple Machine Head tour in 1973. Rory Gallagher was especially good.