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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!

 

bdp24
markmoskow
48 posts
 

Several.

Santana, opening for Canned Heat, 1969.

John McLaughlin opening for Steve Miller Band, about ten years ago....I stayed for 2 songs from Miller and left. A joke after McLaughlin.

Leon Russell, first few months on his comeback, opening for Hot Tuna. Jorma had enough sense to take it all the way down to a slow acoustic blues for a bit, as if it was still intermission.

 

 

jonwolfpell
429 posts
 

Marshall Tucker Band opened for the Allman Bros in ‘74. Both were great!!

jsalerno277
301 posts
 

NRPS for the Dead at the Capital Theater, Port Chester, NY on 02/23/1971. Seeing both bands in a small venue, and Jerry on pedal steel with NRPS was a musical life changing experience.  A deadhead forever after that concert.  

jwillox
191 posts
 

Bonnie Raitt with Keb’ Mo’

What a great concert here in Seattle, at the Paramont.

when I was way younger…

Iron Butterfly opened by Guess Who.

mashif
299 posts
 

NYC, 1967 RKO Theater 

I saw The Who open for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. Poor Mitch. After the drum kit fire, it was hard to impress. 

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