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.
1. Greatfull Dead, about 1968 at a small place called the Arc near Fenway Park in Boston. I was asked to stand on the stage about one foot from one of the drummers because it was standing room only since the about 300 people capacity was reached. At the time I was bummed because I wanted to be in the back where I could mingle. Cost of admission $3.50.
2. Cream, again about 1968. Cream played for two weeks for the Kenmore Square opening of a joint called the Psychedelic Supermarket. This place was a basement with a few posters and black lights and held maybe 100 people. Went last night, no one at door collecting money, and about 20 people inside standing and listening. Yep, Jack, Eric and Ginger boogied bigtime.
3. to more than 5. Spirit, Zappa, Joni Mitchell, Steve Winwood, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Steve Miller, Ravi Shankar, Beach Boys, Country Joe and the Fish, Taj Mahal, Charles Lloyd, James Taylor (also got a ride hitchhiking on Martha's Vineyard with him), Ike and Tina Turner, Velvet Underground, Fuggs, Youngbloods, Electric Light Orchestra, Arlo Guthrie,Ray Charles, Lee Michaels and Mundo Gerry. Its good I can remember the name of these groups as its about all I can remember of this 1967-1970 time period except being 1A and feeling fortunate about not getting drafted.
1/Pink Floyd '87 CNE Toronto......easy.....I was a wide-eyed-high boy2/Platinum Blonde '85(I think) Canadas Wonderland (I know, but it was my first concert,I was only 15, the dancing energy was incredible, and all those preppy girls in spandex and mesh.....)3/Metallica around '90-91 Maple Leaf Gardens (I know.....far cry from Platinum Blonde, but now I was cool, and the headbangin energy was incredible)4/Roger Warters '90 cant remember the name of the grandstand in Toronto, Ontario Place?5/I'll reserve 5 for the future,maybe the Supertramp or the Trgically Hip concert I'm going to soon
Like No Money, Tool (at Madison Square Garden & again the voodoo music festival in New Orleans) is on my top 5, they simply get into it more than any other new-comers to the rock scene. Probably the best rock concert ever was Nine Inch Nails, the Downward Spiral tour (first) at Universal Amphitheater (the best acoustics I have ever experienced, seen them 2 other times, lastest at MSG which was ok too but A Perfect Circle stole the show!) in Hollywood. Next up is 3 doors down at Irving Plaza in NYC, not because of the band per se but the crowd, the small intimate crowd that was totally into it = fun!! Deftones/Incubus at the Roseland Ballroom. Talk about energy! And last but not least I would have to say Factory 81/Nothinface/Amen/Mudvayne/Hatebreed/somebody else because this was a raw power metal extravaganza!
Another contender no quite grazing the list was Soulfly/Rammstein/Mindless Self Indulgence in a 500 person standing theater in Portland OR. Almost got squished to death in that show though!
clapton(anthology of the blues),jethro tull(passion play,hendrix(1970),pink floyd(any),rolling stones(great area rock),electric light orchestra(opening for someone else,so a nice suprise)
Jeez Shubertmanic, you saw the Beach Boys in 1964? I would have given anything to see them at that time. To me they were the "IT" in 1964. I saw them 3 or 4 times from the late 60's through the mid 70's, never with Brian Wilson.
Well it is a tough choice but here are some of my favs that changed my life one way or another... 1. Jimi Hendrix at Atlanta Pop Festival July 4, 1971 (with Mitch Mitchell & Billy Cox)- Star Spangled Banner on acid. Bombs, rockets, etc. WOW! 2. The Who, The Tommy Tour 1969 at Filmore East, NYC - A few months after they recorded "Live at Leeds" when "The Who" were "The Who" not whatever they've become. So much for "the revolution"! Won't get fooled again! Ha! 3. Led Zep summer 1969, indoor/outdoor venue near where Shea Stadium is today. VERY LOUD. Young and hungry. English electric blues supreme. 4. "Woodstock" August 14-16, 1969; various artists. Big party on and off stage. 5. The Clash, London Calling Tour, 1979, The Warfield, San Francisco. Rock and Roll is alive and well after years of playing second fiddle to 70s Soul and funk music; Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind and Fire, etc. etc. White light, energy pulsing from the stage. And many, many other shows...Small Faces with Rod Stewart (the man with the most talent who threw it all away for Hollywood $$$, Traffic (Steve Winwood)- John Barleycorn Tour.
Stones Sept 8, 2002 Orpheum Theater in Boston without a doubt the best show I have ever seen out of my 200+ rock concerts (and that includes multiple Bruce, Stones, Floyd, Who and Zeppelin concerts)
The small venue coupled with the Stones hyper energetic performance and the eclectic song selection made it a most amazing night.
Genesis and Peter Gabriel, one night reunion at Milton Keynes Bowl UK, Oct 2 1982 (if memory serves me right. I know it was Mike Rutherford's birthday, pretty sure it was 82).
Incredible concert, a few technical bugs and a lot of rain.
1. Genesis '76 Bushnell Hartford, CT 2. Zappa '76 Music Hall Boston, MA 3. Gentle Giant/Jethro Tull '73 Springfield, MA 4. Grateful Dead '77 Springfield, MA 5. Grateful Dead '78 Springfield, MA
Hmmmm....not sure if my rankings are right.....what a long, strange trip its been......
A small rock club back in the 1980's was the El Mocmabo in Toronto. One night it said on the front sign...''tonight's band: The Cockroaches.
Nobody knew'' who the hell they were''but I went anyways.
At around 9:pm a local band came on stage. Nothing special, just your average rock band. They took a break around 10:00 pm.
Lights went out around 10:30, the band came back on stage in the dark....While the lights were still out, and remember this is a small local club packed to the rafters, the first few rifts of ''Start me up.. (Rolling Stones) were hear loud and clear. The lights ( with a strong increase in wattage) came blasting on... WHAT'S THIS ? JAGGER AND THE ROLLING STONES ON STAGE !!!!!!"/*+++**|### UNBELIEVABLE !!!!
They went on to play their hits...some ( and I do mean a small part) of this excitement can be found on the cd ''Kiss you Live'' by the Rolling Stones, where you can read on the back of the cd case the tracks that were recorded at the El Mocambo on this memorable night.
Witnessing the Rolling Stones at ringside blasting away is a once in a lifetime experience. Everything else now is just like watching a movie on a big screen at Madison Square Gardens.
Yeah Mike, I certainly enjoyed it and only wish I were there. I did have an experience similar when I was attending the Philadelphia Folk Festival in the early 70's and Bob Dylan unexpectedly showed up, nothing quite like yours though.
The best one I went to, was Jeff Beck at the Capitol theater is Passaic NJ. He had Mahavishnu John McGlaughlin as the "other" band. At the end, they jammed together. It was awesome.
Next best was David Sancious and Tone, at the Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. campus in NJ. This band was only 3 members, and were so unbelievable in their Fusion capability. If you have never heard David Sancious, you need to listen to his older albums, like "Transformation: The Speed of Love". You won't believe it.
Next was Frank Zappa, at MSG Felt Forum, in NYC. It was the Halloween concerts of 72,and 73. If you have never seen Zappa in the Halloween concerts, you really missed something. In 73 he came out dressed like Cher, with a long black wig.
Then there was a stadium concert that had Eagles, Seals & Crofts, and a couple others. This was back before Joe Walsh joined them. At this concert, at a mid-point, they said,"We'd like to introduce our friend, Joe Walsh". They proceeded to rock out a heavy version of "Rocky Mountain Way" that was the best I ever heard. Totally awesome!
That's my 5, including the 2 Zappa Halloween concerts.
In the last few months I've seem Springsteen twice ,solo Jackson Brown, Paul Macartney.Keb Mo,Neville Bros, Dave Grisman group ,Lucky Dube,and The Other Ones. Took some friends to Springsteen last night and all agreed it was the best show they had ever attended. One's comparison was Led Zep in the early seventies and Dead early 70,s in Golden Gate park. Go see Bruce!!!
the original Yard Birds The Band Janis Joplin and Big Brother Canned Heat the Allman joys, their name before the called themselves the Allman Brothers Band
Dates are approximate..but close. Rankings are approximate...but close.
1. Paul McCartney/Philips Arena/Atlanta GA/2002 2. Pink Floyd/Bobby Dodd Stadium/Atlanta GA/1999 3. Alice Cooper/The Omni/Atlanta GA/1973 4. Elton John/Knoxville TN/1972
And for sheer novelty:
5. The Who(we in the audience not familiar with the Who thought the destroying of the instruments was a spoof) sharing the bill with Paul Revere and the Raiders, and other acts/Memorial Auditorium during Jet Fly Spectacular/mid 1960's.
In no order: 1968 Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Soft Machine, Janis/Big Brother, and Chambers Brothers at Flushing Meadows, NY. This was on a revolving stage - Janis almost fell down several times. They would start it moving anytime, no warning. 1968 Jefferson Airplane at Electric Factory, Philly (amazing) 1973 Frank Zappa in Lowell Mass 1971 Capt. Beefheart and The MAgic Band at the Academy of Music, Philly 1970 Ann Arbor Blues Festival Time warp anyone?
Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, ELP, Rush Don't know if I could put them in order but Tull might have been the best. All were in the mid to late 70's in IL or WI. The Emerson Lake and Palmer concert was with the 72 piece orchestra (the tour that bankrupted them) and was a helluva show. Rush was at a small venue (about 2000 people) and stole the show (Cheap Trick [my hometown boys] and REO Speedwagen also played. This concert was in my hometown of Rockford IL at the local armory. Heart was also in Rockford at the local speedway in 76. Rick Derringer, Foghat and Head East were also there. The Fleetwood Mac show was outdoor in WI, right after Rumours came out and was an unbelievable show, certainly one of the best I have ever seen or heard.
This is a tough one to pick only five since I am in my 50s and have seen countless shows since the late 60s. I am only going to list one though. I experienced a concert at Yale New Haven in the neat little old theatre there in '71? The bill was Tower of Power and Graham Central Station opened. Both groups were truly on fire that night and they really got the place jumpin'and way funked up.
Grateful Dead - May ?, 1977 Boston Garden (if you can remember it, you weren't there)
Phish - 12/14/95 Broome County Arena. Binghamton, NY
String Cheese Incident - 10/31/99 Electric Factory. Philadelphia
Grateful Dead - 10/5/94 Spectrum. Philadelphia
Honorable mention: Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Shawn Colvin, Bruce Hornsby w/David Lindley on guitars - Blockbuster Entertainment Center. Camden, NJ July or August 2001 (can't remember the date) Stunning show!
Paul McCartney doing the 91 92 Anahiem stadium never will forget the opener Drive my car never had a concert like that again. Wrong 10 years latter the man strikes back and kicks ass again and still single handeley kickin the stones ass. Only 5 songs not so good but 36 songs you need to go to the mens room sonmetime.
Despite towshend shit. The Who raised goose bump I was there on opener only concert I say that was so clear. Pete whales on guitar and is the best guitar player.
First stones concert goose bumps 2nd same 3rd some bu they still kick ass but they need a better setlist to much new shit anything above the 80s is new shit. Sherrel Crow and is always screwing up Honky tonk woman.
The only concert that I want to see and will say I seen my favorites is Pink Floyd or David gilmour or Roger watters. Anybody think they will do another tour these boys
I posted on this thread earlier and only listed one. I thought I would list a few others as well. A Miles Davis, Santana concert in '68 at CW Post on LI I think and Miles opened as he often did for rock bands in the 60s and 70s(and he hated it). Great show, Miles had most of the "Bitches Brew" group and Santana were lean and hungry.Neil Young and Crazy Horse at The Boston Tea Party, Boston in '69 I believe. We sat on their equipment boxes right on the stage about 20 feet from Danny Whitten. During the acoustic set Neil played "Helpless" for the first time ever live. During the second electric set after the long guitar solo in 'Down By The River" the house became hysterical(definate goose bumps).Another show that really impressed me in my youth was Led Zep in Flushing Meadow Park, LI.They were lean and mean and I believe it was the first concert date in the US on the tour in support of their second album.Boy, those were the days!!!!!
Buddy Guy and Junior Wells in 1969 played a gig at my college. Dave Barry's band was the warmup act. It was in the old dining hall so we continued to dance; it started at 11 and didn't end until the wee hours. There was beer, bombers and moose punch. Half the faculty showed up. What a night.
In no particular order but some of the best were; Yes in the round with Wakeman and Howe in Hampton Va late 70's, U2 ZooTV tour in El Paso TX early 90's, ZZ Top anytime, Clapton in Albuquerque early 90's and again in Seattle 2002, Kansas in Hampton VA early 80's, I think.
Best that I missed: Led Zepplin and Stevie Ray Vaughn
Both Led Zeppelin shows at Knebworth in 1979 were phenomenal. Unfortunately, most of their performances during their 1977 tour of the US were marginal.
Talking Heads, Santa Barbara County Bowl '83 ish. The Other Ones, Lakewood Amphitheater, Atlanta, Sep '00. Phil Lesh and Friends, Great Woods, Jul '02. Widespread Panic, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA, Oct '02. The Blasters some bar in Kansas City, '82, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Zoo Amphitheater, Oklahoma City, Dave Matthews
One of the best shows I ever attended was Pearl Jam in Las Cruses, NM in 1995. It was such a powerful show and it was on the ill-fated "Non-Ticketmaster" Tour. Great show. Great rendition of Blood. Saw them this month in Oklahoma City and they played "Deep" and "Blood" back-to-back. Great show again.
I wish I could have been around for some of the classic shows that people have been reporting on, but here is my list and I am including solo performances because some of them were the best shows I ever saw by far and will not eliminate based on someone's criteria. A rock show is a rock show
1) Roger Waters - Radio Kaos Tour This shows was perfect in all areas, it was an absolutely brilliant realization of this concept album and throwing in the video of arnold layne was great.
2) Jethro Tull - although circa 1992 it was an absolutely fabulous show in a 2,000 seat auditorium with wonderful accoustics and old dirty Ian was at his filthy best. and the inclusion of "my god" was great.
3) Elton John - around 1981, this show was a last minute invite and it was phenominal. Elton still rocked back then, even if I had to listen to that insipid song "empty garden". He was reunited with his old band mates and ftom "funeral to a friend" until the last encore.
4)David Bowie - Lets Dance tour Although no SRV and that insipidly paced version of "lets dance" this show was a killer. And since I was not old enough to see him in his at his productive best, he brought out the classics, including "Station to Station" among others and I was overwelmed.
5) Stevie Wonder - In the early 1980's he did a number of gigs at a 2000 seat auditorium in Detroit and did a retrospective of his career to that point. This event was later put on Showtime cable I believe.He even did fingertips, and did an impression of himself at that age. Me and my friends were some of the youngest members in the audience and the music that man made that night, and what I hear all those nights was breathtaking. It was a nostagila party for most but for us it was just great evening of wonderful music played by a genius who still mattered.
Now for the worst show I ever saw was a tie:
Rolling Stones 1981 - massive football statium show in which the sound was horrible the band played like crap. If it were anybody else they would have been booed from the stage. Santana was the opening act and even in that tomb of a place performed an awsome set that rocked the house and even sounded good.
U2 - It was a small tune up 8 city tour for their "unforgettable fire" release. And I could not wait. in a 2000 seat auditorium I was expecting greatness after having seen the performance at red rocks, although on tape, I thought this best was fantastic. But it just seems they went through the motions and then only played for 85 mins. What a let down. The only good that came out of it was The Waterboys were the supporting act and they rocked I went out the next week and bought "this is the sea"
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.
Being a veteran of 300+ concerts seeing just about every band from ABBA to Zappa,Iv`e been to some tremendous concerts in my time.I have also been to some pretty crappy shows too.In no order, some of my best.
1. Supertramp "Breakfast in America" tour.Simply a perfect,clean,awesome sound.This could well be the best sounding show I have ever heard.It was almost like they put on a CD (even though they weren`t invented yet)and played the CD.Just blew me away.Even after all these years,there have been hardly any concerts that compare to the sound of this tour. 2. Pink Floyd "In the Flesh" tour.For some reason,they were promoting the album "Animals",but they called the tour "In the Flesh".This might well be the best concert of my life considering all the criteria that make up a great show.From the staging,lighting,big round video screen,floating inflateables,and sound system....just a perfect,perfect concert.This tour are what other concerts were judged by at the time. 3. Yes- A tie between "Relayer" and "In the Round" tours. Two of the most fantastic performances ever.The muscianship from all members of Yes were truly top notch.The only difference between these two tours was,"Relayer" utilized the Roger Dean staging(the so-called,crab nebula)while the "In the Round" was just Yes on a empty round stage.The sound was tremendous for both tours. 4. Kansas "Left Overture" tour. This show was at a accoustically perfect venue called the Tower Theater in Upper Darby,Pa. A great album that actually was better live.The sound was just DEAD-ON with some of the best live guitar work I have ever seen from Kerry Livgren and Richard Williams. 5. Electric Light Orchestra Part 2 (?????) tour. I don`t know what they called this tour but it was the best performance I ever saw from this band,with or without founder Jeff Lynn.I saw them in the 70`s with Lynn,and they were excellent, but this tour had the band performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music.Simply a perfect sounding venue.The new singer(???) who sang Lynn`s parts was just OK, but the band with orchestra, was simply incredible.
Honorable mentions go out to Jethro Tull,The Kinks,Journey, Hall and Oates,Tom Petty,Bruce Springsteen,Jefferson Starship,Peter Frampton,The Cars,Boston,Asia,10CC,Jackson Brown,Alan Parsons Project,Bob Seager,and Genesis.
Hey Tvad here is some things I remember from that show...not many,but a few....See if any of these jog your memory...remember when the strobe lights came on?(I don`t remember what song)There was a nude dancing girl on stage dancing.If you didn`t look close enough you would have never even noticed her.How about at the end of the song "Miracles out of Nowhere" when Phil Erhart hits the big gong...lasers came shooting straight out and over his drum kit.A perfect ending to the song.Steve Walsh was introducing a song (?) and I don`t know how they did it, but his voice kind of sped up really,really fast sort of like when you put a tape recording in fast-forward mode.Then his intro would slow down to a normal speed and then all of a sudden it would speed up again.I have never heard this since. It was a great way to introduce a song.Other then a great sounding concert,thats all I basically remember.I know there were more little things they did on stage but dam...it was many years ago.
Sigur Ros has two albums out now, both are available. They are from Iceland. Their latest (2nd) album is entitled "( )" and it is pure cathedrals of music. Sound quality is tops. I can't really describe the style but you will positively love them. Their line-up is guitar (bowed Les Paul), drums, bass and keyboards along with a string quartet (violins, viola and cello). Two of their songs from their first full length album entitled "Aegetis Byrjun" were featured in the movie Vanilla Sky. They'll wring your heart out and throw it to the universe.
Rock shows only, so I'm leaving out some great folk stuff:
Dream Syndicate, 1986, Quasimodo, Berlin, Out of the Grey tour, just an amazing gig, went on forever
Neil Young, Salinas Civic, 1981, it was a warm-up for the Trans tour, anounced on the radio and we drove over from Santa Cruz and paid $5 to get in. None of the guitar-synth equipment worked right, so he just played an hour of acoustic stuff and then rocked with Crazy Horse for another couple of hours. Seemed like he played every song he ever wrote.
Elvis Costello, Santa Cruz Civic, 1981, Warm-up night for Imperial Bedroom tour. Plimsouls opened and nearly destroyed the place.
X, Mabuhay Gardens, SF, around 1982. Blistering set by my favorite band ever.
Tom Waits, Rain Dogs Tour, in a circus tent at Tempodrom in Berlin, 1986. There's a legendary bootleg of the show. The band was so good, after the second encore the audience clapped for about 20 minutes, even though they were striking the equipment. Finally Waits reappeared and played another couple of songs on piano while they set the amps up again and the band played another few songs. My gold standard against which all concerts are measured--great venue, great material, great crowd, it all clicked.
5) H.O.R.D.E. Shoreline Ampitheatre 1998 - Morphine, Blues Traveler, Neil Young and many more
4) Several different Pink Floyd shows
3) Oakland Colliseum 1989 - Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughn joined on stage by Carlos Santana
2) Frost Ampitheatre, Stanford 1971 - Tower Of Power, followed by Cold Blood, followed by Santana, followed by a 1.5 hour jam w/TOP horns, Lydia Pense vocals and Santana
1) Winterland S.F. 1972 - Blues Project followed by Mahavishnu Orchestra followed by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
I'm a gonna cheat- Jeff Airplane Fillmore East 1969 Woodstock I G. Dead Symphony Hall Boston ca 1971 Rolling Stones Boston Garden ca 1972- nothing like a show in an antiquated hockey rink. Bonnie Raitt Troubadour LA ca 1973/74 Bob Dylan/The Band LA Forum ca 73/73 tour Steve Winwood Hartford CC ca 1985 perfect sound Allison Kraus/Union Station Univ Hartford ca 1990 (200 seat venue, like having an angel singing in your living room)
Last night a friend/client treated me to Bruce Springsteen @ Rentschler Field (new UCONN stadium) in E. Hartford. I am not a huge fan, but I was VERY impressed. James Brown move over, the Boss is definately the "hardest working man in show business". In addition to some very nice music (Iactually prefer the ballads)the obvous professionalism, energy, and sincerety/modesty of the band and the entire ccrew, not to mention how much fun they were obviously having, made it a very enjoyable evening.
Swampwalker -- there are those of us "old fogey purists" who will tell you that there was only ONE Fillmore -- and it wasn't EAST. I'm not one of them though I used to be. Anyway -- first time I saw JA was at the Fillmore (not a true concert so I didn't count it -- the Fillmore was more just for performances etc.) Anyway, this was before Grace Slick. How things could have been different.
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