Best Concert You Attended

Parent Cafe
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<p>I’d forgotten about the Prince concert, I saw him on the Purple Rain tour, too! Oh yes, that was one of the all-time greats, thanks for the reminder, lderochi.</p>

<p>2331, I was going to mention McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra: I was a groupie of sorts and would travel all over the east coast to hear them in the early '70s. But I figured no one else here had heard of them, so I didn’t mention them. That original incarnation (John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Billy Cobham, Jerry Goodman, Rick Laird) are without parallel.</p>

<p>Sure I remember Brigantine Castle! Were we there in the same era, then?</p>

<p>Time to go pick up S#2 from water polo practice, I think I’ll pop “Birds of Fire” into the CD player on the way… yum!</p>

42

<p>I’ve decided the best was McCartney & Wings in Venice in 77 - concert was to raise money to shore up Venice, but there were so many people in St. Mark’s Square it probably sank a few inches that night. Also saw him about 12 years ago. I can’t afford to go again.</p>

<p>A close second was in Texas Stadium in 74, with Jesse Colin Young, the Beach Boys and CSN&Y. It was all afternoon, into the night and on to early morning. We all sat on the floor and took naps between bands. </p>

<p>Also saw Jethro Tull in 71 or 72 with Steeleye Span I think. Great Tull concert. Elton John in 72 and again in the mid-90’s. Donovan was actually a good concert in a small venue, probably 73. Moody Blues in the college gym. Yes was a great concert in the mid-80’s. </p>

<p>Concerts from Jr. High - Herman’s Hermits, Dave Clark Five and Paul Revere & the Raiders. I liked the Raiders, but then I was about 12.</p>

43

<p>Mahavishnu and other fusion groups were a great way to clear out my college apartment. Never saw them, but I did see Weather Report and Return to Forever. Chick was on fire the night I saw them.</p>

<p>Nicest venue I’ve ever been to: Red Rocks in CO. Saw Joni Mitchell backed by the Pat Metheny Group there.</p>

44

<p>This thread made me so nostalgic that I strolled over to the Ticketmaster site to see what might be coming. Atlantic City is a driveable distance for us, and they attract a lot of the, ummm, “classic” acts. And this, I kid you not, is one of the first things I saw: <a href=“http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/02003B12D24A9DAE?artistid=735752&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1[/url]”>http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/02003B12D24A9DAE?artistid=735752&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>kismet. happening a lot on these music threads. So, are you going?</p>

46

<p>Best was Springsteen 1979 at the L.A. Forum. </p>

<p>Second best was U2 at Staples Center in 2001 (we took the kids).</p>

<p>Devo at the Santa Barbara Bowl was okay in 1983, but the date went bad and that’s really all I remember about it. :(</p>

47

<p>Iderochi,
How can she still look so young!!!?</p>

48

<p>We were all expecting a folk singer, Alice Cooper, at the July '69 Seattle Pop Festival, and got ??? instead.</p>

49

<p>I forgot, also saw Tull and was most amazed at how Ian Anderson could stand on one leg the entire evening; bottom of his foot on other (bent) leg rested on knee of his standing leg while he played his flute:)…wow.</p>

<p>mootmom, yes I was familiar with (and actually listened to) McLaughlin before he performed at my college about 1971 or 72. This was a conservative engineering type school in nowheresville that was just turning coed…the audience was a total mismatch. I was embarassed, as I’d say more than half of the crowd walked out, many booed. Of course I thought he was awesome and stayed to the end. He was way ahead of his time. I’m utterly impressed you were a sort of McLaughlin groupie. I even have him on my i-pod (Fantasia Suite) and looking for more. </p>

<p>Brigantine Castle–scared the pants off me, not the place to go if you’re claustophobic or just aren’t too fond of fire traps in general. Actually I think it may have burned down. I remember it from about the late 70’s-early 80’s, when I was finishing grad school. </p>

<p>slightly OT, never saw them but did any else listen to Batdorf and Rodney?</p>

50

<p>[Brigantine</a> Castle](<a href=“http://www.darkinthepark.com/Brigantine/Home/home.htm]Brigantine”>www.darkinthepark.com/Brigantine/Home/home.htm) burned down in '87.</p>

51

<p>Just got back!!! What a concert!! The pyrotechnics (yes, McCartney had pyrotechnics) almost scared me out of my shoes, but the concert was wonderful! Everyone lost their voice from singing along, especially during the encores. Only bummer is that the folks in front of us left about 1/2 hr before the end, and 2 very strange, and unfortunately very tall women decided to take their spot. Well, never mind that they never sat down-- that’s ok. But gyrating and waving and be-bopping to EVERYTHING. Who be-bops to “Let It Be”? Really!</p>

<p>Garland-
You definitely win the “most embarassing concert” prize. No contest. But I must admit that I went to a Neil Diamond concert before I was an old fart. Does that count?</p>

<p>Your kiddos really lucked out with the U2 tix. (And thanks for the clarification about the floor space). Sir Paul not only took flowers from someone in the front row, but he autographed someone’s piece of neon green oaktag. She couldn’t stop jumping up and down when he did that. Someone held up a sign that said “Fans on the run” when he sang “Band on the Run”. That was cute. And he chatted a lot with the audience-- especially when people called people on their cellphones, held up the phones and let them listen in (I confess I did that-- so my H. could hear what he was missing! I did it during “Blackbird”.)</p>

<p>Iderochi-
Your link to Olivia N-J made me laugh out loud! Toooo funny! So, where are your seats :)</p>

<p>And thank you all for not correcting my typo earlier-- I think I mis-typed the lyrics … “will you still need me, when I’m 64” as “will you still love me”. I realized it just as I turned of the computer and was heading to the concert. No matter- we’ll love AND need Sir Paul.</p>

52

<p>I loved Paul Revere and the Raiders- I raced home after school every day to see “where the action is” of course I think I was in 3rd or 4th grade :wink:
The best but most embarrsing( in retrospect) time at a concert I had when some friends of mine were in a rock band ( after highschool)- they won the first contest of the MTV basement tapes and it was great fun to see them play or party at their house and wait for them to get home from a gig. They still get together and play at local venues- mostly summer festivals and such I think. a few of them were pretty talented- but think big hair and shiny shirts. The 70’s were an embarrasing time to come of age- such clothes!
I have always liked guitar
John Fahey- John McLauglin-Robin Trower- Jeff Beck-Carlos Santana-Johhny Winter…
I wanted to be a musician- begged my parents for a guitar for years- they bought me a ukelele- I wasn’t imaginative enough to do anything constructive with it. :(</p>

53

<p>Best concert - Neil Young at Golden Hall (a truly dumpy place in downtown San Diego) in about 1980. We were in college and bought “obstructed view” seats which turned out to be in row 5 with absolutely NO obstruction. They cost $5. It was just Neil and a guitar - it was like being in his living room. It was magical.</p>

<p>And I have a confession (although even this can’t beat Garland, lol) - my daughter and I sat in the front row at a Britney Spears concert about 5 years ago. The tickets were free (we had a “connection”). Boy, she was awful. Just awful.</p>

54

<p>Wow. Too many. </p>

<p>Mahavishnu Orchestra was fantastic live. Birds of Fire is still an unbelievable album.</p>

<p>Their violin player, Jerry Goodman, tours some these days with another favorite live band – Steve Morse and Dixie Dregs. I saw Morse’s high school cover band play live play live about once a month in high school. Saw the Dregs many times over the years, most memorable probably being a New Years Eve show they did at the Fox Theater in Atlanta with a modern dance troupe. Saw a Dixie Dregs/Steve Morse band twin-bill a couple of years ago. My jaw still drops at his guitar playing. Too bad his “day job” for the last ten years has been touring the world as guitar-slinger with a crappy band, IMO (Deep Purple).</p>

<p>Another Mahavishnu era favorite in a similar genre was Frank Zappa, who I saw at Nassau Coliseum with a very large band.</p>

<p>Most influential concert had to be my very first rock concert when I was fourteen. I had never heard of the artist, I knew he was a black singer, so I thought he was probably a soul singer in the Jerry Butler mold. Needless to say, I was not exactly prepared for The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Loved it. Had the opportunity to see him a second time the year he died, playing the Star Spangled Banner on the 4th of July. I’ve really been enjoying the re-mastered Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD of his first US concert (Monterey Pop). Just amazing. I thank my lucky stars that I was fortunate enough to see him play live.</p>

<p>While still in high school, I also got to see The Who playing Tommy and Led Zepplin just after the release of their second album.</p>

<p>All time favorites that I’ve seen multiple times:</p>

<p>The Dead – Watkins Glen, RFK Stadium, the Spectrum, the Boston Garden, the Fox Theater in Atlanta. </p>

<p>The Allman Bros. – once with Duane, several more times without: the Glen, RFK, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, New Orleans.</p>

<p>Dylan, Dylan, Dylan – ranging from his '74 Tour with the Band at the Spectrum in Philly, to the Fox Theater in Atlanta, to Great Woods near Boston, to his most recent tour. Every one, totally different. Fast songs become slow. Quiet songs become loud. Rockers become soft ballads. Never gets boring.</p>

<p>The Band – once with Dylan, once at Watkins Glen.</p>

<p>And, I’ll never forget Pink Floyd at Chapin Hall in Williamstown. They played the entire concert in total darkness. This was pre-Dark Side of the Moon.</p>

<p>Too many good jazz shows to even mention: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett.</p>

<p>Best classical show has to be the Boston Symphony playing anything in Symphony Hall. The sound in that place is so alive – dynamics unlike anything I’ve ever heard.</p>

<p>In recent years, two hardcore “country” shows have really blown me away. Dwight Yoakam featuring Pete Anderson – unbelievably good rockabilly band and one of the best twangy Telecaster guitarists I’ve ever seen. The CD “Dwight Live” features Pete Anderson and this band. Well worth buying. The show closing 10 minute version of Bill Monroe’s 1946 “Rocky Road Blues” might have the most perfectly structured guitar solo ever.</p>

<p>The other is an “alternative/bluegrass” (for lack of a better description) acoustic duet – Gillian Welch/David Rawlings. They have Dylan’s knack of transporting you to a different place and time with every song. Haunting harmonies, influenced heavily by Ralph Stanley. Mesmerizing concert. Welch and Rawlings are featured on the “Down From the Mountain” concert DVD featuring music from “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”. Also, well worth buying.</p>

<p>Both of these acts do a great service preserving and continuing authentic strains of American music heritage – something today’s pablum purveyors in Nashville would be well-served to consider from time to time.</p>

<p>And, although not all that musically and certainly not “country”, I thought Shania Twain put on perhaps the best large venue pop show I’ve ever seen. Terrific band, very high energy, produced to perfection, thoroughly enjoyable show.</p>

<p>Somebody mentioned Prince, saw him a few years ago, play a small club in the Boston – the Roxy. Great performer, but I’m too old to stand up in a hot sweaty club for five hours.</p>

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<ol>
<li> Los Lobos–at Joe’s Star Lounge in Ann Arbor with about 50 other patrons.</li>
<li> Neil Young’s-- ‘Rust never sleeps’ tour in ’79 on the grass at Pine Knob.</li>
<li> Robyn Hitchcock–at the Blind Pig, Ann Arbor ‘85</li>
<li> Suzanne Vega—Annapolis Maryland ‘01</li>
<li> Ralph Stanley—Annapolis Maryland ‘04</li>
<li> The Police-- in Birmingham Alabama in ‘81</li>
<li> Miles Davis-- on his last tour, in Detroit ‘91</li>
<li> Joe Lovano and Tom Harrel-- at the Montreal Jazz Festival ‘98</li>
<li> Elvis Costello-- ’83 at Pine Knob.</li>
<li>Bruce Cockburn— The State Theatre, Ann Arbor ‘84</li>
<li>Bob Dylan—this past summer, Montclair New Jersey</li>
</ol>

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<p>How about the Grateful Dead two nights in a row at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor in 1972? Snuck in both nights and sat in the aisle close to the stage. The warm-up band was the New Riders of the Purple Sage. Jerry Garcia played pedal steel with the New Riders for about 2 1/2 hrs. and then came out and did a 3 1/2 hr. set with the Dead. Amazing! Not much school work was done for a few days there…</p>

57

<p>I’m so old that I can’t remember most of them. The most recent concert, and one of the best, was the Stones tour a couple of years ago. I saw them in downtown DC. It was memorable if only for my wife’s statement that they were the four skinniest old guys she had ever seen.</p>

<p>I think that I saw Bob Dylan play at the Bitter End in the Village sometime in the 60s, but I can’t be sure. Too many dead brain cells.</p>

58

<p>Woodwork–OMG, Joe’s Star Lounge! My sister-in-law was a waitress/bartender there for years and years! She was probably there that night.</p>

<p>And that brings me to: the really best concert I was ever at was…her funeral last year.</p>

<p>She was a leading environmentalist in AA, and also very connected to the folk/rock/bluegrass scene there. Killed in a car accident. Her wake was held in a couple venues downtown, and featured all the best bands in the area, including her fiances group, the Hill Rays, jamming all night long. The dancing spilled out into the streets, and her life was celebrated like she would’ve wanted. Saddest night of my life, and best dancing I’ve ever seen and been part of.</p>

59

<p>I saw Dire Straits at the Boston Club, a bar/club on Commonwealth Ave. during their first US tour. Ditto for The Police, at Alexander’s, a bar/club in Browns Mills, NJ. So glad the drinking age was 18 back then.</p>

<p>Any of you Philly people remember Kenn Kweder and His Secret Kidds? The A’s?[Richard Bush may have been the best frontman ever]. Kweder and The A’s did New Year’s Eve shows at the Bijou Cafe back in the 80s that were a truly rockin’ good time.</p>

60

<p>Driver,</p>

<p>I saw a few Ken Kweeder shows while I was at Penn. He used to pack the clubs back then. I even used to have a 45 RPM by him, but it is probably long gone. How about Robert Hazard, another Philly favorite during the same era who was famous for writing Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”? In a fit of nostalgia, I picked up the Escalator of Life EP on Ebay a few years ago. It still holds up.</p>