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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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clydeactor
31 posts
 

Stevie Ray Vaughn opening (as well as Bryan Adams) for The Police at Aloha Stadium in 1984.

martinl07d
26 posts
 

I have many but for me The Best was The Replacements opening for R.E.M

This was a kinda of one off in Detroit 1985. 

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,471 posts
 

Saw Procol Harum, King Crimson n Yes opened up the shop....that was 1972...

rettrussell's avatar
rettrussell
199 posts
 

Nine Inch Nails opening for The Jesus & Mary Chain....first tour and they were "flavor of the month" per the record store guy.

I have to agree about Stevie Wonder opening for the Stones in '72... was blind-sided dumb by the genius he so effortlessly displayed, and Talking Book was released a few months later. If the Stones that night had cancelled I knew I'd gotten my $7.50 worth! (Martha Reeves & the Vandellas opened first.)

Why The James Gang (Thirds tour) picked Black Oak Arkansas to open for them is a mystery....BOA was all boogie energy and the JG was drudgy narcotic.... the vibe was confusing.

pfeiffer
57 posts
 

Frank Zappa band with Florescent Leech and Eddie at Beloit College in Wisconsin in the 70’s

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