My first gig was a church-sponsored dance in 1965; I had just turned 16. We got paid $20, split 4 ways.
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How old were you on your first gig?
- Thread starter katri
- Start date
My first gig was at an open mike night, I was paraniod I was going to be thrown out. It was in a bar, I was around 19 at the time.
Battle of the bands in H.S. I was 16 and nervous as hell. But it got our band noticed and, we really took off after that. (on a side note I also broke my foot and two fingers, and afterward I toned down the stage antics)
I was 20, a junior in college, and we signed up to play at a coffee house gig in the student center. The activities director was a little annoyed when we showed up early with drums and all-electric instruments. 
She still let us play three songs but we had to make sure we were set up before anyone arrived and she made us go on last so anyone who didn't want to hear "all the noise" could leave. Most stayed, we went over really well, and got some gigs playing parties and a dance marathon as a result.
However, from that point on they also began to explicitly state in all announcements for coffee houses that the acts must be acoustic-only.
She still let us play three songs but we had to make sure we were set up before anyone arrived and she made us go on last so anyone who didn't want to hear "all the noise" could leave. Most stayed, we went over really well, and got some gigs playing parties and a dance marathon as a result.
However, from that point on they also began to explicitly state in all announcements for coffee houses that the acts must be acoustic-only.
Pretty sure I was 20 or so(started late), bar band gig. Dude I know nervously subbed me the gig because he got a better one, and I survived it and have never looked back.
That depends on what you call a gig.
If it's playing with a band, I was 19 at the first gig.
If it's performing with a group of people for an audience,
8 years old at the first performance with the childens choir
in the church. And from around the age of 10 a performance
every week or more with the main choir.
If it's playing with a band, I was 19 at the first gig.
If it's performing with a group of people for an audience,
8 years old at the first performance with the childens choir
in the church. And from around the age of 10 a performance
every week or more with the main choir.
First time in front of people: 15 at a church coffee house. Back in 1980...amazing.
First time at paid gig: 16. A party gig. Got home at 4am with my mother worried to the point of almost calling the cops...
First time at paid gig: 16. A party gig. Got home at 4am with my mother worried to the point of almost calling the cops...
22 or 23. (Didn't pick up a bass till I was 17.) Paid gig for a cable tele show. It was a lot of fun
Picked up the bass at 26. First gig at 30. Now 32, playing out once a week.
Never too late, friends.
Never too late, friends.
First playing time in front of a crowd:
5 years old and Playing slack key guitar in front of the Philippino Club
First Paid gig:
14 years old playing in "Los Socios de Tijuana" at Club 21 back in 1979.
5 years old and Playing slack key guitar in front of the Philippino Club
First Paid gig:
14 years old playing in "Los Socios de Tijuana" at Club 21 back in 1979.
Wow.....What memories.My own mother actually offered me a Valium (I declined) the night of my first gig.I was 15,nervous as hell.Man,I remember playing so loud,and too fast.Waaaaayyy too much adrenalin flowing that night.I settled in and killed on that gig.Even though my dad was with me due to me being underage.Ain't stopped since!!!!I'm hooked on playing live,nothing like it in the world.Love it.
