In 1971 at the old Shady Grove Music Fair outside of DC in 1971 I went to see BJ Thomas, who was hot as hell at the time, and when five older African American guys took the stage to open the youngish crowd started murmuring. It was The Persuasions, and this was before a capella became a thing a decade or two later. An hour of gasps and cheers later came three encores because we'd forgotten all about who we'd come to see. To his credit, BJ showered them with praise as well instead of bitching about his very delayed start. Which I'd seen before (not from him). Years later at college in Arkansas I saw Styx open for I think Marty Robbins. That didn't go well. They were great but that was a southern 1979 crowd.
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!
- ...
- 160 posts total
- 160 posts total