OT: Best concert you have ever been to?

[knightfan7]

Elton John at MSG
Chicago and the Guess Who in Kansas City

Saw a couple at the Capital but not only don't remember the concert but also who was appearing.

 

[wheezer]

I will list two that became memorable, not necessarily the absolute best I have seen

Elton John, Thanksgiving night, 1974 at the garden...Elton put on a great concert and at the end he had John Lennon come up, and the two of them did 3 or 4 Beatle songs....

supposedly that was the last time John Lennon played a concert, or big venue, before he was shot years later

also, I went to a Ringo star and his allstar band show in NYC, which fell on his birthday.....at the end of the show Paul McCartney came out and
sang "you say its your birthday" and a few more songs, supposedly a surprise for Ringo...

as for the actual best shows, I was always partial to Pink Floyd when they were fully intact, seen them several times....

more recently, ELO put on an amazing show at the Prudential, way better than I thought they could be

 

[RU0509]

Alice In Chains - Waterloo Village
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Caesar’s Palace
Blind Melon - Rutgers University
Fleetwood Mac - 1997
Pink Floyd - last US show at Giants stadium
Black Crowes- Parking lot of the Stone Poney

 

[Caliknight]

I've been to more live music than I can ever remember (good friend owns a music management company) so it's hard to say an absolute best. There have been so many, but one that always comes to mind was three years ago. Cure. Hollywood Bowl. Amazing show.

 

[RU#1fan]

My first concert.
Boston at MSG in 1976 as a very young teenager from Yorktown Heights, NY
Getting served beer at Steak & Brew in midtown Manhattan prior to the concert. classic

 

[e5fdny]

No way......you were there too?? Thanks for the Ticket!! Definitely on my list.

Others.....

Police @ Shea in '83
George Thorogood @ Capital Theatre (when it still existed)
Jeff Beck / Stevie Ray Vaughn - MSG - '89ish

Was supposed to go see him with Chris Fabjanic at Waterloo the summer of the helicopter crash.

 

[RUDiddy777]

Muse. Prudential center in 2016. Concert was undersold and they packed everyone in near the stage. Special effects were surreal.

Bummed Motley Crue won’t be touring this summer.

 

[RU05]

Korn-BioHazard-House of Pain.

Stone Pony.

Very early in the timeline for Korn, I had never heard of them, but we thought they were good. We were really there for House of Pain, but the pits for BioHazard were amazing. At least to someone who had never been in a pit at least. House of Pain was OK.

Years later I saw Everlast at the Saint, just upon release of Whitey Ford sings the Blues. Driving to the show was the first time I had heard that album. That too was a really good show.

Had a great time at a couple Splintered Sunlight shows. Also at the Pony.

Kind of missed out on Beastie Boys at Lollapalooza on Randall's Island. But the site from afar was something else.

 

[RU05]

Alice In Chains - Waterloo Village
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Caesar’s Palace
Blind Melon - Rutgers University
Fleetwood Mac - 1997
Pink Floyd - last US show at Giants stadium
Black Crowes- Parking lot of the Stone Poney

I saw Floyd at Giants stadium in the 90's and thought it was a dud. I think we were just too far away.

 

[Jabanero]

In no particular order:

1.) Pink Floyd at MSG 1976 or '77 (Animals tour), my 1st concert!
2.) The Who at MSG - Quadrophenia tour 1995/6 - had 5th row Center Orchestra, Billy Idol came on for "Bell Boy"
3.) Blues Breakers w/John Mayall - Capitol Theatre / Passaic 1978 w special guests Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, 'Sippi Wallace, Mick Taylor (Stones).
4.) The Stones at the Palladium NYC - 1978 Some Girls tour, Peter Tosh opened, very limited "tour"

 

[robcac26]

Rage Against the Machine in Minneapolis, 2008.

I saw them again in London in 2010. In the UK they make a big deal out of who has the top-selling single at Christmastime, and for a while it was always the winner of Simon Cowell's X Factor show since the show ended right at that time. Some rock fans got tired of that being the case, so they started a campaign to get Killing in the Name be the top selling Christmas single in 2009. So many people were tired of whatever lame pop song came out of the X Factor winner every year getting the top spot that this Rage song that came out in 1992 actually did end up being the top selling Christmas single that year. A week or so before Christmas, the band announced that if they do end up winning, they'd play a free show in London in 2010. They made good on their promise, but you had to enter your name into a lottery to get a ticket. I figured what the hell and threw my name in the hat. Once I got an email saying that I had been chosen, I planned a short trip to London and Dublin around it as a college graduation gift to myself. Great time.

Another one of my top shows was this modern thrash band with a classic 80s thrash sound, Power Trip. I go to a metal festival in Vegas every year. It was at the Hard Rock but they were bought by Virgin, so now it's at Mandalay Bay. They have a few indoor stages and a pool stage. Power Trip was playing at the pool stage, and there was something surreal about a bunch of metalheads moshing/splashing around in the water just having a great time. Here's a picture of it:

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

Prince...in Omaha.

Not only was he amazing live but it was an added bonus to watch droves of women auto-orgasm over this tiny black dude in suede high heeled boots...two shows!

 

[cicero grimes]

1. The Rolling Stones at the Byrne Arena. Tina Turner opened. Tattoo You was supposed to be their last tour. Who knew.

2. Counting Crows - Under the stars at Mandalay Bay in Vegas. When Adam still had his voice.

3. Concrete Blonde at the Stone Pony.

 

[Postman_1]

Eric Church in Boston at TD Garden. Unbelievable live.

 

[RUnTeX]

Black Crowes- Parking lot of the Stone Poney

The Black Crowes followed by Willie Nelson in 2002...outdoors at Stubb's BBQ (aka Waller Creek Amphitheater) in Austin. Great show by both.

 

[RU Mike73]

Leslie west and Mountain at Asbury Park.

 

[Bababooey_Class'80]

Queen/Argent/Kansas at Capital Theater 1975

 

[Jumba72]

Stevie Ray at Lake Compounce a few weeks before he died. B52s on Earth Day in Central Pk. Fats Domino in a rare performance at Jazz Fest. He would've outsold Elvis if not so reclusive. Willie Nelson at Count Basie. BB King at Blue Note. Buddy Guy at Tramps. Icepick at Lone Star Roadhouse. Gatemouth Brown at Mother's. Chuck Berry at The Ritz

 

[koleszar]

Allman Brothers at Waterloo village. The setting, the music just made a lasting impression.

 

[rufan3860]

Not even my favorite band, but Pearl Jam at Randal's Island New York back in 1996 was an epic 2 nights including John Popper coming out to play harp on Even Flow.

Not a single show, but the annual March Madness Allman Brothers shows at the Beacon Theater when Dickey was still around were some of the most enjoyable shows I've ever attended.

Pearl Jam at Randall's Island was also my favorite. And I was not a huge PJ fan at the time. I was fortunate to go to the show that it did NOT rain.

 

[Jersey Boys]

Pearl Jam at Randall's Island was also my favorite. And I was not a huge PJ fan at the time. I was fortunate to go to the show that it did NOT rain.

I was at the rain show and actually enjoyed the vibe. Indifference in the rain with Ben Harper was great. The next night they played an extra 45 minutes or so.

 

[sdwcpa]

Bruce's last show at the Spectrum.

 

[Jersey Boys]

Stevie Ray at Lake Compounce a few weeks before he died. B52s on Earth Day in Central Pk. Fats Domino in a rare performance at Jazz Fest. He would've outsold Elvis if not so reclusive. Willie Nelson at Count Basie. BB King at Blue Note. Buddy Guy at Tramps. Icepick at Lone Star Roadhouse. Gatemouth Brown at Mother's. Chuck Berry at The Ritz

My brother saw him on that tour. Devastating loss as we were all big fans. I miss Stevie.

Saw BB King late in his career but Buddy Guy was tremendous and on top of his game.

 

[Jersey Boys]

In no particular order:

1.) Pink Floyd at MSG 1976 or '77 (Animals tour), my 1st concert!
2.) The Who at MSG - Quadrophenia tour 1995/6 - had 5th row Center Orchestra, Billy Idol came on for "Bell Boy"
3.) Blues Breakers w/John Mayall - Capitol Theatre / Passaic 1978 w special guests Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, 'Sippi Wallace, Mick Taylor (Stones).
4.) The Stones at the Palladium NYC - 1978 Some Girls tour, Peter Tosh opened, very limited "tour"

Animals tour had a great set list. Very underrated album and some of Gilmour’s best work. I have a few bootlegs from that tour and Dave just kills it on Sheep and Dogs. That’s the tour that led to the Wall concept. I was a bit too young for that tour but finally saw them during Delicate Sounds. Division Bell tour was better.

 

[phlop87]

Rush at Radio City Music Hall was the best concert Ive ever attended

Best time I had at a concert was at a rock jamboree in Philly. Foreigner, the Kinks, Joan Jett, huey Lewis and Loverboy. Had an absolute blast

 

[newell138]

No way......you were there too?? Thanks for the Ticket!! Definitely on my list.

Others.....

Police @ Shea in '83
George Thorogood @ Capital Theatre (when it still existed)
Jeff Beck / Stevie Ray Vaughn - MSG - '89ish

I saw the police at Shea as well Joan Jett also played. My girlfriend at the time was a dead ringer for Joan Jett and she was in the billy idol eyes without a face video. We walked through the line and even through police barricades to get to the front of the line for general admission. It was hysterical how everyone just let us pass on through, even the NYPD. My only assumption was because of her looks

I’ll add John cougar at MSG around 1987 and Kenny Chesney on the beach in Wildwood a few years ago

 

[i'vegotwinners]

in only semi ranking order, as some are hard to rank relative to others.

Moody Blues, Octave tour

The Who, (Kenny Jones on drums)

REO, the first time i saw them. under rated band with lots of great material

Journey, (Steve Perry), though a super frustrating side story that diminishes the day.

caught some British invasion band at the local state fair in 64 that was pretty good.
the girls seemed to really like them.

Dire Staits, though neither time i saw them did i have primo seats, or was toking friendy enviorment, so those both dimish things as i was spoiled by both by then.

Neil Young with Crazy Horse

Billy Idol back in the day was surprisingly great.

Justin Hayward Moody Blues and Steve Perry Journey had the incredible voices that propelled the concert to a different level.

many more, and many of the above multiple times.

most frustrating, Bruce. late 80s early 90s, only time i've seen him

2nd row floor, (bought ticket out front before show, $10)

no Candy's Room, no Racing In The Street, no Badlands, no Thunder Road, no Backstreets, no She's The One, no Jungleland, and Born To Run acoustic only.

WTF?????????????????????????????????

Darkness and BTR were the albums i had at the time.

so glad i lived and was fairly young during the golden age of rock, and when you could burn one without hassle from literally anyone, while watching your fav bands perform live right in front of you.

truly one of the great joys in life, and one that stolen away for no reason. (thanks Reagan, and the rest of the Gestapo).

 

[leftoright]

Led Zep's first tour at NY World's Fair. Best one set out of thousands. Summer 1970?
Later that winter was the best full concert ever at MSG:
Opening: Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green...Oh Well.
Then Richard Pryor comes out, grabs the mic as an unknown and gets racy, black guy gets up off the front row seat (set up) jumps on the stage, and chases him through the curtains. Harry Harrison (WMCA? radio) says, "Ladies and Gentleman, Richard Pryor. I thought we'd find a way to get your attention after the break for Grand Funk Railroad!" BANG.

30 minutes later Sly and the Family Stone, "Every Day People". House never sat down again.
This was the reason someone invented mescaline.
How the hell did the three of us get home?
(where are you "current events" guys currently?)

 

[beaced_rivals]

Duke Ellington and Billy Eckstein at Symphony Hall in Newark. Sitting down people? 1952

 

[Block R]

I was at the rain show and actually enjoyed the vibe. Indifference in the rain with Ben Harper was great. The next night they played an extra 45 minutes or so.

I was at both shows. What an epic back-to-back and the combo still ranks up there among my favorites. I still remember Eddie having to stop in the middle of “Animal” to get the crowd to back up and then the band picks up the song once that was done without missing a beat.

 

[cohwx]

The Specials at Speaks Night Club (Long Island), March 1980. They were great musically and I don't think I've ever experienced that kind of energy level in any concert since. Was the final show of their US tour.

Sting at a relatively small 2000-3000 seat place (Landmark Theater in Richmond VA), sometime around 2000.

A surprise was Johnny Clegg and Savuka who opened for Steve Winwood in Denver. This was around 1988. Of course we were all there for Winwood and no one had ever heard of Johnny Clegg but the sound was so completely different and unique.

 

[e5fdny]

Forgot to mention two good ones...

The Hooters at the Livingston Gym. What I remember about that was dancing with my friend’s girlfriend at the time to “And We Danced” while explaining to her what it was really about. He didn’t go to the concert. LOL

Another one was Chuck Berry at The Ritz (which became Webster Hall). Cool thing about that was Chuck opened with a song (can’t remember what) and then said “I’ll play whatever you guys yell out.” My friend and I were all the way in the back, the waaaaayyy back and yelled “Nadine!” as loud as we could and that’s what he played. It’s was pretty cool. Would have been cooler if the girl I knew from Douglass actually named Nadine was with me but...

 

[miket007]

Spring 1985 MSG
Run DMC
Whodini
Fat Boys
LL
Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde

 

[LC-88]

1 - TOOL - 22NOV19 in Atlantic City with my son.
2 - IRON MAIDEN opening for JUDAS PRIEST (British Steel Tour) 03JUL80, ASBURY PARK CONVENTION HALL. Halford road a Harley onto the stage. Thought an earthquake was hitting the place.
3 - Open Air Festival - 01SEP79 - Nurnberg, West Germany. All day concert. AC/DC with Bon Scott, Scorpions, The Who, Molly Hatchet, Cheap Trick, and some others.
4 - METALLICA opening for OZZY (with Jake E. Lee), 1986 Byrne Arena, Meadowlands, 6th row center
5 - STEVIE RAY VAUGHN - 29DEC88 - STONE PONY right in front of stage. Got there three hours before the show to drink and get a great spot. Amazing guitar player. Flamin Harry Band opened for SRV.

 

[RUBOB72]

Sly & The Family Stone-Grand Funk Railroad MSG
Ten Years After Alvin Lee 1
MSG
Santana - Mountain ( Leslie West) 1969 South South Mountain Arena - Creedence Clearwater and The Band at Garden State Arts Center 1969
The Doors at Asbury Park Paramount Theater
Fleetwood Mac at the Prudential Center
Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium
Chicago Transit Authority and Iron Butterfly with Vanilla Fudge at Garden State AC 1969
Grand Funk Railroad MSG 1969
REO SPEEDWAGON Bergen PAC
Rolling Stones MSG
And we’ve only named a few... oh

 

[Scarlet4ever]

1. The Rolling Stones at the Byrne Arena. Tina Turner opened. Tattoo You was supposed to be their last tour. Who knew.

2. Counting Crows - Under the stars at Mandalay Bay in Vegas. When Adam still had his voice.

3. Concrete Blonde at the Stone Pony.

Kyle is that you?

 

[RUforester72]

Grateful Dead at the Fillmore in the late 60’s, and the warm up band was a new group out of the south, the Allman Brothers. Great sets.

the Doors at the Felt Forum, circa 1970.

The Who there also maybe 71?

Jefferson Airplane late 60’s at the Fillmore.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk at Slugs, 1970?

Stones in philly 1972?

Yes at the Fillmore 70?

wow, this is gonna cause a flashback. Colors. Patterns. !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Scarlet4ever]

Big venues:

Rush - Signals Tour - MSG (1982)
U2 - Unforgettable Fire Tour - Brendan Byrne Arena (1985)
Billy Joel - Storm Front Tour - Giants Stadium (1990)

Small Venues:

Melissa Etheridge - State Theater, New Brunswick
Marillion - The Ritz, NYC (1990) - they played the Buster Douglas vs Tyson fight on a screen prior to the band coming out. They didn't start until really late because everyone must have thought the fight was going to be a quick one or two rounder. The band came on late and were fantastic. Just a great and memorable evening.
The Alarm - College Ave Gym (either 86-87)
Zebra - I think Randolph, NJ (1986)

 

[RUfanSinceAnderson]

Kid Rock (pre mainstream days) at the Hammerstein. Included pole dancers and lots of pyro/fire.

Pearl Jam- almost any of their concerts

Tears for Fears

Kiss- had never seen them live until this past year. Still killed it. Great “show”.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

I've attended roughly a thousand concerts and have seen at least 500 different acts. Being a huge Springsteen fan, I've seen Bruce and the E Street Band about 125x. Other acts I've seen dozens of times include Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes (~80), Billy Joel (~60), Elton John (~40), U2 (~30), Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (~25), and Mary Chapin Carpenter (~25). Acts I've seen at least 10x include Rolling Stones, The Who, John Mellencamp, Chicago, Doobie Brothers, Jackson Browne, Steely Dan, John Fogerty, Huey Lewis & the News, Don Henley, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, CSN, Garth Brooks.

I'm not sure where to start when it comes to most memorable... just too many.

A couple unforgettable shows that definitely would be on the list: The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts at MSG in 2009. I went both nights. Unbelievable. Take a look at the acts. Simply.... WOW!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25th_Anniversary_Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame_Concerts#:~:text=The 25th Anniversary Rock and,$75USD and $2,000USD.