Your 5 Fav Rock Concerts


There are certainly more than a few geetar fanciers among us judging by all the threads on guitar bands and best guitarist. This thread is about the best rock shows you saw. Let's limit it to the rock shows. Not Blues or Jazz or solo performers. The concerts that raised the hairs on your neck or made you want to take up an instrument or raised your pulse through their sheer energy or just moved you through their performance on stage. The only ones that count are the ones you've seen. After making a list in my mind of the many rock concerts I attended, most from the late 1960's through early 80's, I have come up with mine. It was tough, I’ve seen well over 200 rock concerts over the years and it is really hard coming up with a top 5 but we have to limit this so here go mine. "Yes" - This group stands out as the 2nd best concert I ever saw with Steve Howe and Chris Wakeman. They opened for Emerson, Lake and Palmer and after their set I do feel that EL&P were disheartened and knew they couldn't match it; they didn't. Funny thing is like most, I was there to see EL&P. They were forced to have another concert the following night by popular demand. Virtuoso musicianship, “Poco” - This group could put on a show. I saw them 4 different times in the many various stages of their evolution. They never had the commercial recognition of some of the other great bands of their era but they sure made up for it in their live performances. No one stayed seated during a Poco concert. “Rod Stewart and Faces” - Ron Wood on guitar and Rod Stewart strutting all over the stage. Rod was probably the greatest natural Rock showman I ever saw, including Mick Jagger. His uninhibited manner and constant movement and soulful vocals brought the house down. The crowd wouldn't let him go after the 5th encore so he invited everyone ("especially the pretty young ladies") to his hotel to “party on”, and so they came; Led Zeppelin I had to include them because next to the Doors and of course Jimi Hendrix they were my favorites of that era and I never did get to see either of the other two. The acoustics were bad and they played so loud you couldn’t really hear the music. But they were great none the less and it was special to me. The best should be kept for last. "The Who" was acknowledged as the best concert band at the time. Getting tickets meant getting in line and waiting. I imagine at the time the only tougher ticket would be the “Beatles” and they weren’t even together then. They didn’t disappoint. The reaction of the audience was beyond anything I ever saw at a live concert before or since. The band was so cohesive and the energy they put out put them into a different realm. They just have to be on a very short list of the best live bands ever.
tubegroover

Showing 1 response by zstokes

5. Jack Williams - Lakeview Tavern The Lakeview Tavern is a little bar and restaurant in rural Lakeview MI. Jack Williams is one of the best guitar players and singer/songwriters still out there playing. He and Mickey Newbury were very close friends until Mickey died last year. Jack played the Tavern for a good three hours one hot summer day, and this was a great event.

4. James Taylor - Hourglass tour The production value of this concert was through the roof. I felt like I was a member of the audience in a taping of "Live, By Request" on A&E. The band and especially the back up singers were phenominal. I also saw him at the Hollywood Bowl last 4th of July as a guest with John Williams. That was also an outstanding night of music. I love the Bowl.

3. Doc Watson & John Hartford - Strawberry Festival, Yosemite National Park, 1983 This concert was special less because of the music, although it was great from what I remember, but because of the beauty of the venue. Hearing some good 'ol pickin' from the master himself in that place was great. I will remember getting their autographs for the rest of my life.

2. Yes - Masterworks tour I saw them 3 years ago at Universal Amphitheater. First off, that is probably one of the best music venues in the country. It's medium sized, and they only hold concerts there. The accoustics are outstanding...never saw a bad show there, and I have seen a lot. Yes was GREAT this night....Masterworks was all about B-sides from years ago that they hadn't played live in years. Starship trooper was the highlight. I've only seen one other band that tight before...A close second.

1. Nickel Creek, last year at HOB Sunset. HOB Sunset? you ask? Well, the venue certainly wasn't why this concert was the best I've seen. My wife, and a friend and I waited in line for an hour and a half before they even let us into the auditorium, then they packed us in there like sardines, and we waited for another hour before they took the stage. Once they did....WOW. I forgot all about my aching feet. They went on to play for 3 HOURS NON STOP. I was in harmonic heaven. Chris Thile is one of the coolest musicians I have ever seen. The guy is like a pop-rock star on the mandolin. Their harmonies. were sensational and Sara Watkins is not only gorgeous, but has an angelic voice. I absolutely can't wait for them to play in a good venue so I can take full advantage of this sensational band.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to all you Bluegrass and Folk lovers out there.

Z