Posted on 04/28/2021 6:44:42 AM PDT by mylife
The list below was born out of some pretty serious arguments. Was Bruce Springsteen better in 1975 or 1978? When did Kanye hit his stride? Which was more awesome, “The Joshua Tree” or “Zoo TV”? The concerts and tours that made the final cut weren’t just huge spectacles, they deepened the power of rock & roll itself – from Neil Young thrashing out 20-minute jams with Crazy Horse to Beyoncé turning stadium glitz into a personal outpouring. “You’re almost levitating on the energy from the audience,” says Keith Richards. “And I miss it when I’m not doing it.” Here are the people who’ve done it best.
(Excerpt) Read more at rollingstone.com ...
I got dragged by a girl to see U2 at the Spectrum in Philly in 1985. Lone Justice opened and blew them offstage.
Saw him in the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino in 1980. Great show!
List is invalid.
They don’t have my band’s phenomenal concert at the Troubadour in 1976 where the Who sat through our set & Pete Townsend slapped me on the back and said “Good show, wot?”
I remember lone justice
When I saw U2, Public Enemy opened for them. Worst acoustics I’ve ever experienced.
If you’re a fan of Gabriel-era Genesis, this is some wonderful footage of them in 1973 from Bataclan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIZwg1t2iAo
Ozark Music Festival, Sedalia, Mo, July 1974
Bachman–Turner Overdrive
Aerosmith
Premiata Forneria Marconi
Peter Sinfield
Blue Öyster Cult
Eagles
America
Marshall Tucker Band
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Boz Scaggs
Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes
David Bromberg
Leo Kottke
Jeff Beck
Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Electric Flag
Bruce Springsteen (did not perform)
The Earl Scruggs Revue
Charlie Daniels Band
Joe Walsh and Barnstorm
The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Jimmie Spheeris
Triphammer
Bill Quateman
Fresh Start
Babe Ruth
Locomotiv GT
The Sweet
Shawn Phillips
REO Speedwagon
Bob Seger
Banco
Elvin Bishop
Runner-up is Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Hoch Auditorium, 1973
Second Runner-up is Andreas Vollenvieder, Music Hall, Kansas City circa 1988
One of my favorite concerts was The Smithereens “Blow Up” tour at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas.
Yes, Roosevelt Stadium (Jersey City, NJ) around 1976 (Relayer tour). As soon as they opened (Siberian Khatru) my buddy and I moved up to within 10 feet of Steve Howe.
Johnny Winter, around 1977 or so (some bar in NYC). He was strutting around on the bar, almost knocked over my drink several times.
Santana, anytime I saw him during the 70’s and 80’s (must have been around 5 or 6 times). Fed my soul.
Jeff Beck, Bergen Community College (NJ) around 1977 or so during the “Wired” tour. Sat within 6 feet of his amp stack. The hair on my arms is still standing up.
Kings X, 2002(?), Tape Head tour. Best band to never get noticed.
“ I saw skynrd, meh.”
In 1973, I went to see The Who in concert at the Fabulous Forum in SoCal. As was usual for them, The Who had not announced the opening act, although everyone had their own idea as to who it might be. Good seats- on the floor about 20 rows back.We got there a little late and the opening band had already started playing. It took a while, but we finally figured out who they were when they played their final song. That’s right- “Freebird!” Terrific concert!
some brilliant stuff with some crap shuffled in, wish I was there.
yer in my wheelhouse RIP Johnny
I saw that Stones concert there. What a circus. Amazing rendition of Brown Sugar.
Speaking of The Stones and Circuses
The Who - A Quick One While He’s Away (From The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJv2-_—EY4
when I was a kid I dressed like Rory, I wore my hair like Rory, I wanted to be Rory
the Stones tried to draft Rory, he said No, can you imagine those egos? Mick , Keef and Rory? it woulda been a hellfight
Stones were even thinking about Steve Marriott, but Mick knew that Steve would blow them all off the stage.
Glad they gave some love to the Dead. I was at the Barton Hall show they mention in the article, and it was indeed epic.
Dead and Co have breathed new life into this great music. I never thought John Mayer would fit, but he and Otiel and Chimenti have not only carried the torch, but may actually have improved the group.
It will be very interesting to see what happens when Bob Weir retires. Would love to see Susan Tedeschi / Derek Trucks join them.
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