For me, it was Jethro Tull in Louisville Gardens, late 70s. They played their sets and went offstage without playing Locomotive Breath. No one moved and they returned for an encore. But it as “Living in the Past”. Went offstage again. This time the lights came up and the roadies began disassembling the equipment. Everyone was both pleased and bummed. The concert was fantastic but we hadn’t heard one of their best and most popular songs. About the time people stood and just started to make their way towards the doors, the keyboard player walked onstage. He walked right to the edge of the stage wearing a tux coat and a huge grin. He raised his arms and the sleeves fell back. In this pose, he walked over to the piano, sat down, and began playing the solo intro to Locomotive Breath. All the while he was playing, the roadies were feverishly reassembling the audio gear and returning the instruments. Just as he finished the lead in, the rest of the band returned and they played to stone silent audience in a fully lit concert hall. When they finished, the place went nuts.
Best rock concert you’ve attended
- Thread starter Myotis
- Start date
Mine is a metal show from an obscure band to those outside the metal scene.
Saw Machine Head at the Mercury Ballroom in Louisville about 10 years ago. Tickets were cheap (standing only) and I was probably 7 feet from the stage.
They’d just returned to the US from the European festival circuit and brought the same setup to this club show. Amps stacked literally to the ceiling, any open string bass note shook the walls and you could hear the songs clearly across the street through the venue’s closed front doors.
No opener. Played a 3 hour set and I caught a guitar pick just before the encore.
Saw Machine Head at the Mercury Ballroom in Louisville about 10 years ago. Tickets were cheap (standing only) and I was probably 7 feet from the stage.
They’d just returned to the US from the European festival circuit and brought the same setup to this club show. Amps stacked literally to the ceiling, any open string bass note shook the walls and you could hear the songs clearly across the street through the venue’s closed front doors.
No opener. Played a 3 hour set and I caught a guitar pick just before the encore.
I saw Wings in Cincinnati in 1976. They played for four (4) hours.
Rolling Stones, Rupp, '81
U2, Rupp, '87 (? - Joshua Tree tour)
Reckless Kelly, Boulder Theater, 2017
U2, Rupp, '87 (? - Joshua Tree tour)
Reckless Kelly, Boulder Theater, 2017
56 years of concerts, who can say? One of the most memorable was Jefferson Airplane in 1971 at Freedom Hall. I stopped off at home to say hi to the family. My grandmother asked to what did they deserve the honor etc. I told her and she said, "Oh is that the girl [Grace Slick] who broke her arm?" Grandma knew more about Jefferson Airplane than me!
My friends and I got to Freedom Hall and were walking around. There, in some good seats right off the floor, was a girl (PR) I'd briefly dated in high school. I'd had an amazing crush on her and thought she was incredibly beautiful, but even in high school, I could never bring an image of her to mind when I wasn't with her. (Still can't.) We saw each other seeing each other AND then I saw the guy she was with. He looked like the young Mitt Romney. What PR and Mittens Jr. were doing there baffled and tickled me. I had this tingling sensation. THAT's what she looked like. Of course. And that guy was the kind of guy she was looking for. I kept walking and immediately couldn't remember what she looked like.
My friends and I got to Freedom Hall and were walking around. There, in some good seats right off the floor, was a girl (PR) I'd briefly dated in high school. I'd had an amazing crush on her and thought she was incredibly beautiful, but even in high school, I could never bring an image of her to mind when I wasn't with her. (Still can't.) We saw each other seeing each other AND then I saw the guy she was with. He looked like the young Mitt Romney. What PR and Mittens Jr. were doing there baffled and tickled me. I had this tingling sensation. THAT's what she looked like. Of course. And that guy was the kind of guy she was looking for. I kept walking and immediately couldn't remember what she looked like.
On 03/27/2003, I saw Jefferson Starship (Kantner/Balin, not the Mickey Thomas ensemble) at Jim Porter's. It was the night that Kentucky was playing Utah in the NCAA tournament. There were less than fifty (50) people there to see the show and there was some question as to whether they were going come on (rumors in the crowd about problems between the venue and the promoter because of the extremely sparse crowd). But, after everyone patiently waited ... this group that included two RNRHOF members from JA, along with Prairie Prince (Journey, The Tubes) on drums and Slick Aguilar (KBC band, Miami studio musician) on lead guitar, came out and played for over almost (3) hours, including three (3) encores, the last of which was Marty Balin coming out and performing solo with everyone joining him in a circle around the stage. I was literally less than a foot from his microphone stand. When he sang "Today" I can vividly remember seeing the reflection of the cigarette lighter flames people were holding up in Balin's eyeballs. It was a surreal experience and that night remains as one the best concert experiences of my life. Everybody was up and dancing all night long to every song with a beat. It was pretty incredible. They played every song you wanted to hear and expected to hear. It was pretty awesome. Chatting with Kantner and Balin after the show was special, as they were very welcoming, kind and engaging with everyone. I was fifty (50) years old at the time.
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Over under on Ravi Shankar with Yoko opening?
https://www.courierpress.com/pictur...sland-rockfest-wabash-river-1972/10340624002/
I think Ravi wouldn't stop and fans were pissed.
https://www.courierpress.com/pictur...sland-rockfest-wabash-river-1972/10340624002/
I think Ravi wouldn't stop and fans were pissed.
So difficult to pick one as I have been to so many. Well over 100. I mean Led Zeppelin in 1976 stands out as a great one for me because it was my first concert. Other shows like The Police in Rupp Arena in the late 70''s/early 80's was great, as was Prince at Rupp during the Purple Rain tour.
WildcatfaninOhio
All-American
I’ve seen my share…
-My first was Jethro Tull in 1975. Great show.
-Montrose and Blue Oyster Cult in 76. BOC had a laser light show that blew my mind. Especially after all the pot I smoked during the show.
-Saw Van Halen and Black Sabbath in 78.
-Atlanta Rhythm Section and ZZ Top in 1980. ZZ Top was so loud that every bass note made my rib cage vibrate. Ears rang for 24 hours after.
-Judas Priest in 81. Priest was first band. Awesome! KISS was the headliner. Sucked! I left during their third song.
-Derek Trucks Band and Allman Brothers Band in 06. Derek Trucks played in both bands, of course. Best slide guitarist on the planet!
-My first was Jethro Tull in 1975. Great show.
-Montrose and Blue Oyster Cult in 76. BOC had a laser light show that blew my mind. Especially after all the pot I smoked during the show.
-Saw Van Halen and Black Sabbath in 78.
-Atlanta Rhythm Section and ZZ Top in 1980. ZZ Top was so loud that every bass note made my rib cage vibrate. Ears rang for 24 hours after.
-Judas Priest in 81. Priest was first band. Awesome! KISS was the headliner. Sucked! I left during their third song.
-Derek Trucks Band and Allman Brothers Band in 06. Derek Trucks played in both bands, of course. Best slide guitarist on the planet!
