OT: Best concert you have ever been to?

LC-88

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Apr 24, 2010
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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.
One of my best friends has seen Bruce and Southside about as much as you have. Not my cup of tea, but he and I saw Southside in Greensboro, NC on March 4th this year. Great show. Maybe my last concert ever sadly.
 
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leftoright

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Jun 2, 2017
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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
Sly and G -Funk with Fleetwood Mac. Am I right?
Let me go back to Syracuse and say James Brown, 4th row War Memorial, just after he'd been on Ed Sullivan, Papa's Gotta Brand New Bag. And if you've never seen him do the "cape thing" , google it. "Please, Please, Please."
OWWWW!
 

RUShea

All-Conference
Jan 31, 2017
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a few from the older days:

1. Grateful Dead, Cornell Barton Hall, 1977

2. Bruce Springsteen, Binghamton Broome County Arena, 1977

3. Little Feat, Ithaca College, 1978

4. Allman Brothers Band, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Syracuse Manley Fieldhouse, 1979

5. Marshall Tucker Band, Red Rocks, Colorado, 1980


You were at the Barton Hall show??!! You win. Just got the 6 vinyl box set for Christmas. Legendary show.

Not sure of my BEST show, but some of the more memorable ones:

1. Red hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins and Dinosaur Jr. at Roseland 1992. That lineup though.

2. Pearl Jam at the Limelight 1992. Grabbed Eddie Vedder's hand while crowd surfing.

3. Phish Big Cypress festival on a Seminole reservation for the millennium New Year

4. Kiss at MSG when they put the makeup back on with the original band 1996

5. Black Crowes Beacon Theater 1992

6. Dead & Company The Gorge in Washington State. If only for the venue.

7. Iron Maiden Meadowlands 1987. The famous car burnings show and my first unaccompanied concert. Eye opening.

8. Spin Doctors Brookdale Park 1992. Only because my band opened. Ha.
 
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RU_DIO

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
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Clash of the Titans Tour with Slayer, Anthrax, Alice in Chains and Megadeth at Madison Square Garden. I was backstage and was hanging with Chuck D and Flavor Flav from Public Enemy for a while.

Runner up: DIO with Accept opening for them at the Garden. 5 rows from Stage. Complete chaos as upper deck was throwing M-80's, bottles and other stuff. Show was amazing and I was happy I didn't get hit with any projectiles.
 

tico brown

Heisman
Oct 16, 2005
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Marc Anthony at MSG. World class singer who can get 15,000 beautiful women scream for him is ok by me.
 

RUBOB72

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Aug 5, 2004
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Sly and G -Funk with Fleetwood Mac. Am I right?
Let me go back to Syracuse and say James Brown, 4th row War Memorial, just after he'd been on Ed Sullivan, Papa's Gotta Brand New Bag. And if you've never seen him do the "cape thing" , google it. "Please, Please, Please."
OWWWW!
Yup , at the time Fleetwood Mac was not as well known ... not sure when Buckingham came aboard as a member soon after but Sly was great.
 
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RU76COOK

Junior
Dec 30, 2007
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Hendrix at MSG, rotating stage (thank God). If those speakers were facing us the entire concert I would be completely deaf now.
Opening act wasn't bad either, Buddy Miles.
 

RU Golfer

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Pink Floyd - Giants Stadium
Green Day - MSG (didn't even have a ticket)
Stone Temple Pilots - Irving Plaza
Audio Slave - Hammerstein Ballroom
Kiss and Jethro Tull - MSG

Are some of my more memorable ones...
 
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RU_DIO

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
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I saw many shows at Roseland in New York. Rage Against the Machine, Ministry, Slayer etc... Mosh pit was always awesome there.

Forgot one of my top 3 shows. Black Sabbath Reunion Show at PNC when Ozzie came back. Got goose bumps watching them play.
 

RUInsanityToo

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May 5, 2006
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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

Was also there with a group. Can't remember who though
 

hughthompson

Senior
Feb 20, 2019
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Beach Boys/Chicago @ the Garden back in the day.
After each did their sets they both took to the stage where Chicago did the lead vocals to Beach Boys songs and the the Beach boys doing lead vocals to Chicago songs.
We used to get tickets for the Garden at Empire ticket agency in Newark always had seats within the first ten rows.
 

NewJerseyGuy

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Jun 26, 2005
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From the ones I remember— REM and Pixies. Sometime in the eighties.

Those two stand out, as well as the Connells in the early 90s—became a huge fan after that show.

All 3 were in smaller venues—probably made a huge difference.

Disliked every stadium concert I’ve been to, including Stones, U2.

Also remember a Happy Mondays concert I hated — was particularly chaotic, way too loud and annoying.

One concert that turned out to be great was Barry Manilow in the early 2000s. Best production and sound. Didn’t realize how many songs I recognize or how good a live performer he is. Didn’t have high hopes going in, but he was great.
 

[email protected]

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Jun 24, 2001
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Missing going to concerts big time. Was thinking back on some of my favorites. Granted my taste in music has a wide range

1. Disturbed at PNC. Sat 4th row with my daughter. They opened with Ten Thousands Fists. Crowd went absolutely wild.

2. Def Leppard/Styx/Tesla at Mohegan Sun. First of all awesome venue. Not a bad seat in the house. Tesla opened and were very good. Styx Come Sail Away might be the best song performance I have ever seen in concert. Def Leppard played all their hits. Loved Bringin on a Heartbreak.

3. Green Day At Hartford CT. Most energetic performance I have ever seen. Played for 2 1/2 hours straight. Billie Joe Armstrong was great.


James Taylor @ Hollywood Bowl with my oldest daughter circa 2002-3.

Moody Blues @ Hollywood Bowl circa mid 2000's.

Chicago @ Hollywood Bowl circa late 2000's.

Steely Dan @ Irvine Outdoor Amphitheater circa 1996.

Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge @ Rose Bowl circa 1995.

Hall and Oates in Vegas ,,,,2nd wedding to wife # 2 ....1996.

Sergio Mendes Huntington Beach circa early mid 2000's.

MO
 
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52Miner

Freshman
Aug 23, 2009
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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...

I was there too! Did not have tickets but it was easy to get into...

My best memories are the concerts at small venues. Saw No Doubt at a small bar in Santa Barbara that opened out onto an alley. The entire alley was packed. Hardly a bad show at the Santa Barbara bowl - a hidden and smallish venue with views of the city and ocean.
 

famousbill19

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Nov 26, 2006
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Three Bruce shows for me stand out- Tunnel of Love (Spectrum), Rising (Giants Stadium), Seeger Sessions (Garden State Arts Center). The last was the most fun, Bruce clearly enjoying himself.

Marillion (Playstation Theater in NYC on Election Day 2016- came out to a nearly silent Time Square as the Presidential Election results were being shown- surreal atmosphere) show was brilliant - probably my favorite band since high school (mid -1980's), first time I ever got to see them.

Mastodon/Gojira- Starland Ballroom. Mastodon was ok, but Gojira was phenomenal. I had never heard of them before, now one of my favorite bands.

Mastodon - Stone Pony summer stage. Much better show than last, plus I was with my two sons who are big fans too. Terrific memory.

Honorable Mentions: Journey, Scorpions, Y&T (first concert, won tickets on Monmouth College radio), Sarah McLachlan (Radio City with then unknown Paula Cole, also excellent)
 
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RuBird

Heisman
Jun 28, 2001
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Saw The Band Perry in AC

It was all about the music, no pyrotechnics. Great songs.
 

tuffer76

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Sep 19, 2005
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There's a lot, but three stand out because of their uniqueness:
Janes Addiction at Hammerstein Ballroom on Halloween 1997
George Clinton and P-Funk at some small place down the shore
From Good Homes at Stanhope House
 
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IMARUFAN

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Mar 29, 2015
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Allman Brothers, Spectrum, Philadelphia, 1971.

Stopped playing after 2 hours ... thought concert was over. Nope. Just taking a break. Came back for another 1 1/2 hours.
 
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phs73rc77gsm83

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Aug 11, 2011
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Some memorable ones include:

Dylan’s 30 anniversary concert In ‘93 at MSG with Clapton, Neil Young, Richie Havens, Tom Petty, George Harrison, the Band, Johnny Cash, Tracie Chapman, Ron Wood, Eddie Vedder, Lou Reed, Johnny Winters,willie Nelson, Kris Kristoferson, and a bunch more.

Neil Young at MSG in January 1973 when the Vietnam treaty was signed and he announced “the war is over.” Thought he’d play all night but ended shortly after.

I like smaller venues much better than large arenas and stadiums. Saw Arlo many times at what was the Garden State Arts Center. Great shows.

The kid down the street went to Woodstock. I was set to go with him but my parents vetoed the idea (I was 14).

Jim Croce at the Philly folk festival a couple months before he tragically died in a plane crash.
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
64,385
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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.
Agreed. Animals tour was better than the Wall for my money, partly because I just liked the music more from that album and earlier albums.
 
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Morrischiano2

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For me:

1) Woodstock 1999- got to see some of my favorite bands over the course of an insane 2 days: Dave Matthews Band, Live, Creed, Red Hit Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine
 
Oct 19, 2010
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So many to choose from:

  • Etta James in Oakland a couple of times in the 80s
  • BB King in Albuquerque in the early 90s. Was an outdoor venue
  • Fleadh Festival in Golden Gate Park 1999. Feel fortunate to have seen John Lee Hooker before he died. Van Morrison and Elvis Costello were also there.
  • San Francisco Blues Festival at the Great Meadow in Fort Mason was an annual highlight for about 15 years. Lots of notable acts, including Guitar Shorty, Albert Collins, Buckwheat Zydeco
  • Grateful Dead at the Berkeley Greek in ~1988
  • The Capitol Theater was one of my favorite venues to attend - The Allman Brothers, The Dead and the Pretenders in 1980 (for their first album).
  • MSG. Of course. The Who in 1979 (loudest concert I ever attended). Jethro Tull. Yes. Bad Company.
  • Talking Heads 1979 at Wollman Rink
 

Colbert17!

Heisman
Aug 30, 2014
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Allman Brothers Band
NJ State Fairgrounds (now Grounds for Sculpture)1973
In high school. Partied the night before in my buddies basement. Drove down from Elizabeth at 3:00 AM and partied in the parking lot until about 7:00 when the crowd broke down the gates. Ended up about 25 yards from the stage.

Eagles, Poco and Seals & Crofts
Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City 1975
We brought in a five gallon cooler that was a giant tequila sunrise.

Sly and the Family Stone, Rare Earth and Ruth Copeland
Madison Square Garden 1971
My first concert
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
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Three Bruce shows for me stand out- Tunnel of Love (Spectrum), Rising (Giants Stadium), Seeger Sessions (Garden State Arts Center). The last was the most fun, Bruce clearly enjoying himself.

Marillion (Playstation Theater in NYC on Election Day 2016- came out to a nearly silent Time Square as the Presidential Election results were being shown- surreal atmosphere) show was brilliant - probably my favorite band since high school (mid -1980's), first time I ever got to see them.

Mastodon/Gojira- Starland Ballroom. Mastodon was ok, but Gojira was phenomenal. I had never heard of them before, now one of my favorite bands.

Mastodon - Stone Pony summer stage. Much better show than last, plus I was with my two sons who are big fans too. Terrific memory.

Honorable Mentions: Journey, Scorpions, Y&T (first concert, won tickets on Monmouth College radio), Sarah McLachlan (Radio City with then unknown Paula Cole, also excellent)
We have similar, diverse tastes. Fellow Bruce fans cannot reconcile my love for hard rock/metal/punk music.
Hard to say which shows were best for me--there have been so many memorable shows over the years, including many Bruce shows, many Southside Johnny shows, Scorpions with Bon Jovi opening in 1984 at the Spectrum, Metallica in 1992 before the Black Album broke huge in the Spectrum, Rage Against the Machine at Jones Beach, Tool in November 2019 in Atlantic City, ELO at the Prudential, The Interrupters at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, Korn in a small club called Bogart's in Cincinnati, Hole at the same place, Pantera, and too many shows to remember inside the Stone Pony including Orange 9mm, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Meat Loaf in the late 1980s.
 
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HALL85

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So many to choose from:

  • Etta James in Oakland a couple of times in the 80s
  • BB King in Albuquerque in the early 90s. Was an outdoor venue
  • Fleadh Festival in Golden Gate Park 1999. Feel fortunate to have seen John Lee Hooker before he died. Van Morrison and Elvis Costello were also there.
  • San Francisco Blues Festival at the Great Meadow in Fort Mason was an annual highlight for about 15 years. Lots of notable acts, including Guitar Shorty, Albert Collins, Buckwheat Zydeco
  • Grateful Dead at the Berkeley Greek in ~1988
  • The Capitol Theater was one of my favorite venues to attend - The Allman Brothers, The Dead and the Pretenders in 1980 (for their first album).
  • MSG. Of course. The Who in 1979 (loudest concert I ever attended). Jethro Tull. Yes. Bad Company.
  • Talking Heads 1979 at Wollman Rink
I was lucky to grow up five minutes from The Capital. Three best concerts I remember from there were Allman Brothers, Boston and Billy Joel (release of Piano Man....who didn't even sell half the seats). Allmans were incredible in a haze of smoke and Boston was pure power.

Four Springsteen concerts (the ones in the early years) were best - River Tour at Meadowlands Arena)

Yes at MSG and Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy Tour (75?)

Recently saw Elton John at the PPL....outstanding show. Steve Wynwood (amazing) and Tom Petty (a year before he passed) at the PPL as well.
 

JMORC2003

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Dec 22, 2008
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Missing going to concerts big time. Was thinking back on some of my favorites. Granted my taste in music has a wide range

1. Disturbed at PNC. Sat 4th row with my daughter. They opened with Ten Thousands Fists. Crowd went absolutely wild.

2. Def Leppard/Styx/Tesla at Mohegan Sun. First of all awesome venue. Not a bad seat in the house. Tesla opened and were very good. Styx Come Sail Away might be the best song performance I have ever seen in concert. Def Leppard played all their hits. Loved Bringin on a Heartbreak.

3. Green Day At Hartford CT. Most energetic performance I have ever seen. Played for 2 1/2 hours straight. Billie Joe Armstrong was great.
I saw Green Day on the warped tour back in the late 90s and in among a slew of similiar pop punk bands from that era, you could 100% see why they were one of the ones to break out.
 
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Kbee3

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Aug 23, 2002
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David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust tour - Radio City (mid-70s)
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon tour - Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City (mid-70s)
Wow ! I was at both of them.
Bowie was incredible.
Lucky for me we had a designated driver for the Floyd show. I was really, really buzzed for that one.
 

RU_DIO

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
16,082
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We have similar, diverse tastes. Fellow Bruce fans cannot reconcile my love for hard rock/metal/punk music.
Hard to say which shows were best for me--there have been so many memorable shows over the years, including many Bruce shows, many Southside Johnny shows, Scorpions with Bon Jovi opening in 1984 at the Spectrum, Metallica in 1992 before the Black Album broke huge in the Spectrum, Rage Against the Machine at Jones Beach, Tool in November 2019 in Atlantic City, ELO at the Prudential, The Interrupters at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, Korn in a small club called Bogart's in Cincinnati, Hole at the same place, Pantera, and too many shows to remember inside the Stone Pony including Orange 9mm, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Meat Loaf in the late 1980s.

What the hell?

You know your favorite show was seeing Slayer with me last year at MSG.
 
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ElmiraExpress

Senior
Oct 3, 2004
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You were at the Barton Hall show??!! You win. Just got the 6 vinyl box set for Christmas. Legendary show.

Not sure of my BEST show, but some of the more memorable ones:

1. Red hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins and Dinosaur Jr. at Roseland 1992. That lineup though.

2. Pearl Jam at the Limelight 1992. Grabbed Eddie Vedder's hand while crowd surfing.

3. Phish Big Cypress festival on a Seminole reservation for the millennium New Year

4. Kiss at MSG when they put the makeup back on with the original band 1996

5. Black Crowes Beacon Theater 1992

6. Dead & Company The Gorge in Washington State. If only for the venue.

7. Iron Maiden Meadowlands 1987. The famous car burnings show and my first unaccompanied concert. Eye opening.

8. Spin Doctors Brookdale Park 1992. Only because my band opened. Ha.


I thought there would be at least one Deadhead who would be impressed I was at the Barton Hall show.
 
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Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
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What the hell?

You know your favorite show was seeing Slayer with me last year at MSG.
Primus was great at that show too. Should add Ozzfest 1999 with Black Sabbath, Slayer, Slipknot, System of a Down and many others.