greatest live concert you saw and missed

[GasGuy82]

Two shows for me, first was Bob Sinclair with surprise opening from Calvin Harris in Mykonos at Club Paradise circa 2013. Took my future wife to her first show of that genre, she has no idea to this day how crazy it was to see those guys in one night in Mykonos for $40.
 

Second show was Pantera, Anthrax and Coal Chamber circa ‘97 at Sac Memorial Auditorium, I was 15. Lucky to see DD.

[Jal154]

An acoustic concert by Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson back in 2000 in a very small venue. Q & A session. Fantastic.

The one I missed.........The Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1965. My sister went (10 years older than me) and didn’t take me. I was 5 1/2 years old. Still pissed at her! ?????

[inter4alia]

1 hour ago, looseleaf said:

Favorite concert? That’s easy

Link Wray at First Ave circa 1998 — power trio — nowhere to hide
l’ve gone to shows since I was in high school in the 70s. First show was Dylan and the Band at the Nassau colosteum 

But on the way out of the Link Wray show I turned to my companion and said “ I’ve just heard something I’ve never heard before— I think they call it ‘rock and roll’”

Here’s a clip of him playing Rumble (the only INSTRUMENTAL ever to be banned on the radio) on Conan around that same time — though it isn’t a fraction as powerful as seeing him in person — still, not bad for a 70-year old man with one lung

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20yHuBqpB-E&feature=share 

A concert I regret not seeing? Maybe this one

https://laughingsquid.com/photos-iggy-pop-and-the-stooges-playing-at-a-high-school-in-1970/ 

 

If you haven't seen it, watch "Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World." Part of the Independent Lens series on PBS. 1.5 hours on the Native American influence on rick/pop music. Outstanding show. 

[J-ROB]

Coming up in Philly in the 70s, I saw Bruce a number of times, but the best were the early shows before he was "The Boss," then  only a new hire.

Back then, he was a straight-up, slightly folkish singer songwriter and not the leather jacket, white T Shirt "working class rocker" tele slinging icon he became, undeniably a great career move there, Boss!

In the early 70s, he played at high school dances in the suburbs. No idea what that was like but at the time the E Street Band was not considered a dance band by anyone.

The classic shows for me were the 70s shows at The Main Point in Bryn Mawr, a tiny storefront folk club. One of those shows was Bruce solo with an acoustic, a benefit for the club, and the tiny room wasn't even full. That was some great stuff.

The files from these shows appear and disappear on the Tube but here's a classic from the 75 Main Point show. Look for the 73 tapes!

 

Lotta good music in Philly in the 70s, but the best shows I attended were probably among the dozens of Sun Ra Arkestra gigs I was privileged to participate in. Shakti in a small round amphitheater at the University Museum was another memorable show. Frank Zappa at the Tower Theater in 82 or 83...killer. Good Dead shows at the Tower also. Miles Davis outdoor summer concert at Penn's Landing.

A few Captain Beefheart shows also burn bright in my mind decades later. That cat had presence and verve beyond compare.

And Tito Puente on the street on a mobile stage in the East Village in 1984...whoa!

 

[irratebass]

On 10/25/2019 at 6:57 AM, BrightonCorgi said:

I use to know HR.  I had a fanzine in the early 80's and did an interview with via mail while he was jail.  Saw them 3-4 times.  First show I ever saw was Black Flag.

Dayum!!!

 

On 10/26/2019 at 10:32 AM, inter4alia said:

Beatie Boys/Tribe called Quest -- two of the top hip hop acts together for the same show, will never forget it.

I bet this was amazing! Seen Beasties in 94 after Kurt of Nirvana offed himself and they couldn't headline Lollapalooza, they were simply amazing. 

[inter4alia]

5 hours ago, irratebass said:

I bet this was amazing! Seen Beasties in 94 after Kurt of Nirvana offed himself and they couldn't headline Lollapalooza, they were simply amazing. 

It was an amazing show! I went on to see the Beasties several times over the years, they always rocked the house. Unfortunately, I never caught up with Tribe again. But I'm so glad I got to see them this one time. 

[reliefdvm]

In the 70s most concerts followed the same format. Open with a local band, next a moderately famous band with the big band last. My favorite was at the Oakland coliseum  in 72. The local band was Tower of Power - put on a great show. The second band Santana. The big band was Chicago. The show ended with the horn section from all 3 bands on stage.

[captaincaveman]

On 10/25/2019 at 7:32 PM, inter4alia said:

Beatie Boys/Tribe called Quest -- two of the top hip hop acts together for the same show, will never forget it.

 

 

In 97?  With Busta opening and Biz Markie playing on the tour as well

[BrightonCorgi]

Best show I missed was Tears for Fears at Avalon in Boston 25+ years ago.  My roommate's friend got too high and started going into crazy shakes, hysteria, and cuddled up in a ball on the street.  We could've left him there, but I said we need to bring him back to the apartment and make sure he'll come through.  Missed the show, but he is doing well.

I don't know what my roommate was thinking as his didn't smoke and certainly not a bong...  You can imagine the rest...

 

If I could see any band that ever was around it would be ABBA.

 

Some unusual picks that I thought were some of my favorite shows

Hole - I just adore Courtney Love and the show rocked.  All the power and music in one; well done.

Barry White - Full orchestra and his voice was on point.  Also powerful.

George Michael - One of my favorite performers and rocked the stadium.  Great band backing him

Johnny Cash - Legend and was up close.  Played a club I was working at.

[Chibearsv]

Best Show I saw - 1982 Queen at Poplar Creek Music Theater 5th row center - nothing's come close since and probably won't ever.

Best Show I missed was Roger Waters "The Wall" at Wrigley Field.  I didn't want to see "Pink Floyd" unless it was really Pink Floyd, stupid.  Friends that went said it was fantastic.

[inter4alia]

1 hour ago, captaincaveman said:

In 97?  With Busta opening and Biz Markie playing on the tour as well

Unfortunately, no. That would have been even better. August 1998 Rosemont Horizon. 

[captaincaveman]

17 minutes ago, inter4alia said:

Unfortunately, no. That would have been even better. August 1998 Rosemont Horizon. 

Actually, now that I think about it, it was 98 because it was the tour for the Hello Nasty album.  Busta and Biz played the Meadowlands NJ date I was at.

[Puros Y Vino]

Best. Big metal show in Toronto circa 2007

Testament, Moorhead, Heaven and He'll (with Dio.  Damn he could sing!) And Judas Priest

Runner up: a relatively unknown GnR opening for Iron Maiden 

Missed:

Accept opening for Judas Priest on Defenders of the Faith tour.  

[Sir Diggamus]

My favorite shows over the years 

Primus @ the Cleveland Agora 1993

Primus @ Newport Music Hall 1996 

Jack Johnson (a couple of songs with Eddie Vedder too) @ Bonaroo 2008

Thievery Corporation- The Ritz in Ybor City 2009  

The one I regret missing the most is The Grateful Dead at the Richfield Coliseum in '94. My friends had tickets and I planned on going. Then a massive snowstorm, we thought they would cancel the show and made other plans. I heard it was one HELL of a show. I thought I would catch them next year, then Jerry died. 

 

[inter4alia]

52 minutes ago, captaincaveman said:

Actually, now that I think about it, it was 98 because it was the tour for the Hello Nasty album.  Busta and Biz played the Meadowlands NJ date I was at.

Awesome stuff. I guess Busta and Biz didn't make it to Chicago for some reason. 

[Hammer Smokin']

On 11/2/2019 at 9:06 AM, reliefdvm said:

In the 70s most concerts followed the same format. Open with a local band, next a moderately famous band with the big band last. My favorite was at the Oakland coliseum  in 72. The local band was Tower of Power - put on a great show. The second band Santana. The big band was Chicago. The show ended with the horn section from all 3 bands on stage.

Of all the great music throughout this thread, this sounds like something extremely killer!

To be honest, I'm not sure Chicago (as much as I love them) could follow a Tower of Power / Santana combo. I'm sure they did fine, but those are two huge bands (although Tower of Power was just starting out at the time). Santana was in beast mode...

What a fun night of music!

[GotYaGoat]

Favorite - Radiohead in Boston 2018, front row

Regret missing the Rolling Stones in 2015 as I got sick tailgating and was...rolling in the stones in the parking lot during the concert. ?‍♂️

[CountingStogies]

Best:

- Tom Petty w surprise guest Stevie Nicks at the Berkeley Greek Theater 

- Robert Plant x 4 (growing up listening to Led Zeppelin and my first concert ever at age 14 was seeing Robert Plant, it set the bar very high for future live music shows. Saw him four times) 

- Ryan Bingham at Red Rocks. By far my favorite american country/folk/singer-songwriter/rock artist. 

WORST:

By a large margin....sorry Australia and Brisbane: Savage Garden. Got dragged to a show (hey, it was free at least) at Fort Gordon in Georgia. On base entertainment back in the 90's was lacking so this was kind of a big deal then. Savage Garden probably never before or after had so much Army personnel at one of their shows haha. They were as confused as us. Damn, now this song is stuck back in my head. Enjoy, you cannot unhear it. 

 

[Capt. Corona]

Don't know about the greatest but 2 stick out in my memory............

Early 70's in a small venue called the Sports arena in Toledo OH.... a band called Golden Ear Ring came on (never heard of)  and rocked our socks off.  They were premiering the Radar Love song...which ever album that was on.  Not bad......  Next up....these three bearded guys in ten gallon hats ? and cowboy boots rolled out (eyes rolling..oh boy, here we go with some country and western fill in cause the real band couldn't make it)   Yep, ZZ Top....(never heard of) before the show.  I believe they were debuting the Tres Hombres album.  Rocked our heads out!

Then of course the headliner Alice Cooper ( I believe debuting the Killer album where he had his snake with the set)  Came out played one song....in the middle of the second song some knucklehead from the crowd threw what sounded like a M-80 firecracker at the stage....blew up in the stage lighting and glass went flying everywhere.  One of the guitar players was rushed off the stage by some of the roadies.  They kind of finished that song and then the band disappeared from the stage never to be seen from again that night.  Very disappointing.  Alice is now living out by me in the deep southwest and I've tried contacting him several times about the incident. No reply........?

Concert #2...........

I was leaving for boot camp April 1st mid 70's.....Yea, April Fools Day heading into the Army!  Deep Purple was playing at Wrigley Field in Chicago (5 hours drive for me and my military bud)  The concert was a few days before we were leaving.  Yep.....we got a little toasted on the ride over.....Pulled up to an empty parking lot at the stadium and a sign on the marque saying the concert had been cancelled or postponed.  Regardless, we weren't going to be around for the rescheduling.   Still have that ticket somewhere in all my junk that I never throw out! ?

 

[PaulPower]

Best: last Grateful Dead show at Soldier Field Chicago. Kinda a sh$t performance but historical

Missed: Beastie Boys and Rage, also at Soldier Field. Damn that would have been a cool show, but canceled

 

 

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[Ryan]

Some of the best.

Lowell Fulsom, Dublin 1989

Ennio Morricone Dublin 2016

Buddy Guy in a little Irish bar on N. Sheridan Road in Chicago, 1990.

John Lee Hooker, 1990

Neil Young with Pearl Jam and Van Morrison, Slane (Ireland) 1992

Snooks Eaglin, Chicago 1995

Gillian Welsh in Dublin, about 2003.

Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin and Al DiMeola in Chicago about 1998

U2 in Soldier Field 1997 was good, Croke Park Dublin in 1987, also good.

I got to bring my eldest to see The Stranglers in a little theatre in Dublin when he was 14. "Golden Brown" became his favourite song when he was 10.

My kids' first concert was The Afro-Cuban All Stars (with Eliades Ochoa and Omara Portoundo of Buena Vista Social Club) when they were about 6 and 8. They loved "Chan Chan", got tired for some of it.  

One of the better concerts I've seen and the one I regret missing the most, by far, was the same night, August 26th, 1990. I saw Santana in Tinley park, Il. There's a reason I remember the date, I went to that as I had free ticket. I had been going to get a ticket to see Stevie Ray Vaughan the same night in Alpine Valley, Wi.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed in the helicopter crash after the concert that night, so I never got to see him.

 

 

[Yellot00tr]

Loved EDC Vegas, always regretted not making it to Ultra in Miami. 
 

Not technically concerts, but I also loved Aoki and Tiesto at Hakkasan. We always get center table on the 2nd floor. Bottles like they’re last spring’s collection.

[Ken Gargett]

9 hours ago, JustinDavidson said:

Definitely Bruce & The E St Band.

personally, i think this thread would have been much easier for people if it was entitled "greatest live concert you saw other than bruce". because we can assume that bruce is obviously the number 1 act on the planet (and therefore, every bruce concert we've all missed would be top of the list of greatest concerts missed). 

[Hammer Smokin']

Bruce played the longest "standard" concert I've attended...over 3.5 hours of entertainment, and that was in 2012...so not the youngest Bruce!

[CountingStogies]

@Hammer Smokin' Just a quick shout out for having John Candy/Uncle Buck as your avatar ?One of the last great 80's flicks. Ok, back to music..