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Cover Bands - What Do You Open With?

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DeaconK

Nov 17, 2006
112
0
#1
I tried a Search and came up dry...

I think the first song in the first set should establish the rest of the gig.

For those in a typical "classic rock" cover band (mustang sally, brown eyed girl, sweet home alabama, etc.) What is a good, uptempo open that will get people interested and on their feet?

We do typical, 60's, 70's, 80's stuff with a few newer ones thrown in and I'm not always sure that we're opening with songs that will make an impact.

Suggestions? What do you open with that seems to get the most bang for your buck?

Thanks in advance!

k
 
#2
well, I play in a Funk/Soul/Rock Coverband and our Alltime-Opener is "Lets stick together" by Roxy Music (Actually just Bryan Ferry)...

Its allways a good song to start the show, we play it a bit faster an more Rock, but just a bit....with a coooooool brass- section :D
 
#3
I am in a cover band that plays songs from the last six decades and our opening song can depend on several factors. Sometimes, we may want to ease into the show if it is a light crowd or a banquet type thing, etc. so we don't come out with guns ablaze and knock them out of their seats. Other times, we want to hit the ground running with a high energy opener. It can also depend of the type of show such as an oldies show versus a variety show. Here are some of the songs we frequently use as an opener.

Heart Of Gold - Neil Young
Secret Agent Man - Johnny Rivers
Gimme All Your Lovin' - ZZ Top
Behind The Wall Of Sleep - The Smithereens
Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades - Timbuk 3
I Fought The Law - Bobby Fuller Four
The Breakup Song - The Greg Kihn Band
She's Not There - The Zombies
 
#4
DeaconK said:
I tried a Search and came up dry...

I think the first song in the first set should establish the rest of the gig.

For those in a typical "classic rock" cover band (mustang sally, brown eyed girl, sweet home alabama, etc.) What is a good, uptempo open that will get people interested and on their feet?

We do typical, 60's, 70's, 80's stuff with a few newer ones thrown in and I'm not always sure that we're opening with songs that will make an impact.

Suggestions? What do you open with that seems to get the most bang for your buck?

Thanks in advance!

k
Click to expand...

Classic Rock/Blues Band

Some of our favorites to open with are:

La Grange-ZZ Top
Heard it on the X-ZZ Top
Ramble On-Zep
Locomotive Breath-Jethro Tull
Show Biz Kids-Steely Dan
Sultans of Swing-Dire Straits
 

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