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Concerts that surprised you
- Thread starter juancaminos
- Start date
Jackson Brown early to mid 80s. Had no idea these guys could play that well. Vince Gill would be another. Blistering guitarist.
This was my first exposure to Vince. I was expecting to hear "typical" country music, having only connected his name with that.
Steve Miller Band (1992, I beleive) - surprised me in that how boring that concert was. I expected something more, um, animated and energetic.
David Bowie (Glass Spider, 1987) - I always liked Bowie, but I had no idea. Carlos Alomar (guitar) blew me away. Was an unforgettable experience. Perhaps it was the peach schnapps and weed being passed around by the bikers I found myself standing with.
Incidentally, I saw both bands in the same venue.
David Bowie (Glass Spider, 1987) - I always liked Bowie, but I had no idea. Carlos Alomar (guitar) blew me away. Was an unforgettable experience. Perhaps it was the peach schnapps and weed being passed around by the bikers I found myself standing with.
Incidentally, I saw both bands in the same venue.
It's not every day you see bikers mentioned in the same paragraph as David Bowie and peach schnapps!
I thought it was others too, with Cain, but I was wrong.
My bad.
Still, I prefer the Rolie era too.
My bad.
Still, I prefer the Rolie era too.
April 11, 1973, Johnstown, PA, War Memorial Arena.
The headliner was Humble Pie. The first band was not there and a band called Gentle Giant replaced them. I had no idea who Gentle Giant was but I was completely blown away and an immediate fan when they opened with this song.
The headliner was Humble Pie. The first band was not there and a band called Gentle Giant replaced them. I had no idea who Gentle Giant was but I was completely blown away and an immediate fan when they opened with this song.
Humble Pie was still around by then?
I saw them in 1971 with a band I'd never heard before, opening for HP, and a local one, too. Glass Harp. Been a lifelong fan ever since.As to GG, I got into them back in 1972 with the release of Octopus.
Only seen them once, in early 1975, when they were on the bill with Rick Wakeman (King Arthur tour). That tour was when I saw the original Wal triple neck bass, played by Roger Newell. The one that Chris Squired had was a Japanese copy of it.Went with a Friend to see Rush. Kind of a fan but you know, a little overblown, a little pretensious, some cheezy lyrics. Didn't hate it but they're never going to be my favorite band. Golden Earring opening. Now THAT was pleasant surprise. Super tight and a surprising diversity in their songs through the catalog. Definitely prefered Cesar's drumming to Neil's. Neil has chops and his parts are well composed for the style but he's just so DAMN stiff and he never looks happy while playing.
Loved Humble Pie but never got to actually see them live. The ironic thing is that when "Rocking the Fillmore" came out, Peter Frampton had already left the band. And a little note of trivia: The one BIG hit that HP had, I don't need no doctor, an epic hard rock anthem? It was a soul song written by Ashford and Simpson (google them you kiddies).
Mugre (Ah, classic rock memories)
Saw Rush with AC/DC circa '78, general admission. Was up front leaning on barrier and Angus Young came out in the audience right next to me, frigging awesome. Used to have an excellent picture of that, got lost.
Saw Iron Maiden power slave Rochester NY. Sounded great and what a show.
Saw Iron Maiden power slave Rochester NY. Sounded great and what a show.
A buddy and me went to see Winger at a club a few years ago; on paper, it should have been amazing. It was the worst mix I’ve ever heard- we were right beside the board
So I was wondering if the sound guy was deaf.
Two years ago, my son and I saw Gino Vanelli at a casino theatre. What a production; not even a stray cable onstage.
The musicianship and sound was second to none. We were blown away on every level.
But for me, seeing Pat Travers in a small venue in 2007 was the pinnacle of what a great show should be.
So I was wondering if the sound guy was deaf.
Two years ago, my son and I saw Gino Vanelli at a casino theatre. What a production; not even a stray cable onstage.
The musicianship and sound was second to none. We were blown away on every level.
But for me, seeing Pat Travers in a small venue in 2007 was the pinnacle of what a great show should be.
A toss up between Thin Lizzie with Queen headlining or Tom Petty with the Ramones Headlining. Both around '76 or '77.
Every one of the 5 Frank Zappa concerts I saw!
Special mention - The Tubes 'What Do You Want From Live' concert.
Surprised bad - George Benson past his prime
Special mention - The Tubes 'What Do You Want From Live' concert.
Surprised bad - George Benson past his prime
Saw that tour (Queen/TL). Fully epic show. I remain a huge Phil Lynott fan. Saw them 3 times.
Since this thread has dissolved into anecdotes. Since I'm here in the greater LA area. I used to go to tapings of In Concert and Don Kirchner's Rock Concert T.v. shows. It's a free concert; what could be bad? At one of them in the what was then still the Aquarius Theater, the first act was so laughably stupid that I went to the lobby to smoke (back in the day!) I told my friend, "this band will NEVER make it. Costumes, smoke and lights will never make up for the lousy playing and songs." Of course the band was KISS and you know the rest. Years later, I heard the great HL Mencken quote, "No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American puplic." Most of reality TV and pop radio make me realize it's still truer than ever.
Mugre
Lots of concerts have surprised me in a good way, and several in a bad way. Here's a few great opening act surprises:
Eric Johnson opening for Rush in Milwaukee. Ah Via Musicom was just out (so 1990? '91?). I'd never heard of the cat. Holy crap! I made sure to stop at his merch table to pick up a CD...
Jeff Beck opening for Stevie Ray Vaughan in Milwaukee. Must have been late '80s? I've seen Stevie play shows with other guitar legends on the bill (such a Clapton), but Jeff was on fire that night!
Eric Johnson opening for Rush in Milwaukee. Ah Via Musicom was just out (so 1990? '91?). I'd never heard of the cat. Holy crap! I made sure to stop at his merch table to pick up a CD...
Jeff Beck opening for Stevie Ray Vaughan in Milwaukee. Must have been late '80s? I've seen Stevie play shows with other guitar legends on the bill (such a Clapton), but Jeff was on fire that night!
Two spring to mind immediately (probably because they're recent):
"Weird Al" Yankovic last year. As someone earlier in the thread stated, amazing musicians. Not my kind of thing before and still not my kind of music but the talent is phenomenal.
Martin Barre this year. I'm a huge Jethro Tull fan and saw Barre's "50 years of Jethro Tull" tour. I never thought it possible but I didn't miss the flute AT ALL. Some of the old Tull standards were reworked and very fresh-sounding and there was just so much warmth between everyone onstage. I'm also thrilled to have had the chance to see Clive Bunker and Dee Palmer. One of my favorite shows.
"Weird Al" Yankovic last year. As someone earlier in the thread stated, amazing musicians. Not my kind of thing before and still not my kind of music but the talent is phenomenal.
Martin Barre this year. I'm a huge Jethro Tull fan and saw Barre's "50 years of Jethro Tull" tour. I never thought it possible but I didn't miss the flute AT ALL. Some of the old Tull standards were reworked and very fresh-sounding and there was just so much warmth between everyone onstage. I'm also thrilled to have had the chance to see Clive Bunker and Dee Palmer. One of my favorite shows.
