First Concert, Last Concert and Best Concert — Jon Gabriel

 

As many of my Twitter followers know (and regret), I’m a bit of a music geek. In the evenings, I often spin obscure tunes, inflicting my off-kilter tastes on an unwilling audience. Yes, it’s tragic when people don’t recognize genius in their midst, but I soldier on. In addition to collecting terabytes of MP3s (and before that CDs, cassettes and vinyl), I’ve always loved live music. Heading into a busy weekend, I’d love to hear the first concert you ever attended, the last concert you attended, and your favorite show of all time. Here’s mine:

First Concert: Cheap Trick

I talked a junior high friend into leaving the rides at the Arizona State Fair to catch the power pop legends. Cheap Trick was supporting one of their forgotten albums of the early ’80s but played all the classics. They put on a great show as always, though guitarist Rick Nielsen had bronchitis and was hawking loogies off-stage most the show. Total groupie magnet, that Rick. As a result, I didn’t attempt to catch one of the 100 picks he tossed into the crowd. (P.S. I’m discounting the time my dad strolled us kids by Jerry Reed at the Lake County Fair and when I was forced to see Tony DeFranco and the DeFranco Family with my older sister. You can’t hold those against me.)

Last Concert: Half String and The Tennis System

The first rule of hipsterdom: only listen to bands that don’t get airplay. In the early ’90s, I dove deep into the British shoegaze scene, listening to one-named, lower-cased bands like ride, lush, swervedriver, et al. The slow tempo, laconic vocals and insanely loud guitar inspired many musicians here in the Sonoran Desert. Tempe, Ariz. band Half String organized a series of Beautiful Noise festivals and reprised the scene recently with newer bands rediscovering the wall-of-guitars-and-effects-pedals sound. Killer show; hearing protection recommended.

Best Concert: The Loud Family

The late songwriting genius and rock auteur Scott Miller formed two NorCal bands: Game Theory and The Loud Family. Both were brilliant and feted with critical acclaim, but received little airplay. Kind of a hyper-literate Cheap Trick (or Big Star), Miller’s bands weaved perfect pop songs out of obscurantist references to culture high and low. I had been a slavish fan in the mid-’80s, but never saw them Miller live until the late ’90s. I helped promote the show, so I got to share dinner with my idols and even got a shout-out from the stage. That earned serious cred for my ego and duly impressed the missus.

Now it’s your turn: What was your First Concert, Last Concert and Best Concert?

 

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  1. Jon Gabriel, Ed. Contributor
    Jon Gabriel, Ed.
    @jon

    Rawls: Shoegaze. Always been such a confusing, amorphous category for me. That said, try these. I think they count? Fluorescent Grey EP by Deerhunter “Crippled Croon” by Crystal Stilts (also see “Spiral Transit”) “Wake Me When It’s Over” by Longwave Bonus proto-shoegaze:  “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” by Bauhaus

     Most of those have some shoegaze sounds, especially Deerhunter. Nice tracks!

    • #31
  2. J. D. Hoefle Inactive
    J. D. Hoefle
    @JeffH

    First Concert: Bryan Adams, St. Petersburg, FL, 1985.  

    Last Concert: Tommy Emmanuel, Austin City Limits, 2012.  Simply amazing guitar skills.

    Best Concert: U2, Tampa Stadium, 1987.  Joshua Tree Tour.

    Also have to give BB King an honorable mention, saw him in 2005.

    • #32
  3. Mister Dog Coolidge
    Mister Dog
    @MisterDog

    First- Average White Band, Seattle 1975(?)

    Last- Mark Knopfler, Portsmouth, VA 2005

    Best- Devo, EM Club Naval Station Long Beach 1988

    • #33
  4. user_138106 Member
    user_138106
    @LidensCheng

    First:  Blue Oyster Cult, Anaheim, 2005

    Last:  Valery Gergiev with Joshua Bell, DC 2013

    Best:  Mark Knopfler, Chicago, 2011

    Honorable mention, Rush, 2007 in Los Angeles

    • #34
  5. Lance Inactive
    Lance
    @Lance

    Fricosis Guy:

    Most Shameful Concert: Suzanne Vega, Lisner Auditorium. To try to impress a girl, of course.

     Was her name Luka, and did she live on the second floor?  I heard she lived upstairs from you and that you’d seen her before.

    • #35
  6. Lance Inactive
    Lance
    @Lance

    As much as I love music, and lived in Austin for 6 years and LA the 9 before that, one would think I’d see more shows.  I used to see two big concerts  a year, one in the fall, one in the spring.  

    First… 1997- U2’s Joshua Tree Tour, actually the very last performance of that tour on the very last night, in Tempe, AZ.  At $5 a ticket and two stadium shows back to back that weekend, just about everyone in Phoenix seem to have caught them that weekend.

    Last…2012- Avett Brothers at Stubbs in Austin, TX.

    Best…Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers- Phoenix, AZ, 1991.  I had such misconceptions about what to expect from Petty energy wise in a live show going into that performance, especially “Don’t Come Around Here No More”

    Honorable Mention… Pearl Jam, 1995, just as they picked their tour back up after their brush up with Ticket Master.  

    Biggest Disappointment…  REM’s Monster TourI had a few too many going into that show, and rather than the buzz working well to enjoy the music, it just helped me fall asleep to it.  But I blame the band, not the beer.

    • #36
  7. Julia PA Inactive
    Julia PA
    @JulesPA

    First Concert–I heard Yehudi Menuhin, violinist, some place in Media, PA. I was 9 years old, it is all fuzzy in my mind, I do not remember the exact music, or location, but I was entranced and hooked.

    Last–Last night I heard 7 bands from my school…7 of the reasons I still go to work every day.

    Best–I can not pick the best, but faves that I have heard:

    Itzhak Perlman,Violinist, Academy of Music, Phila, 1981;

    Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist, Kimmel Center, Phila, 2007 (sat in the choral seats);

    Harry Connick, Jr., Kimmel (front row), 2013;

    Harry Connick, Jr., Kimmel (Just a Closer Walk with Thee was amazing), 2007;

    Hall & Oates, Tower Theater, Phila, 2013.

    • #37
  8. user_961 Member
    user_961
    @DuaneOyen

    Define “concert”.  When we were in Jr High (now “middle school”) we went to the symphony orchestra as a school field trip.  Does that count?

    We saw 3 Dog Night on our first wedding anniversary for a $3 ticket price.  Does that count?  That’s the only “rock concert” I’ve ever attended. 

    • #38
  9. Yeah...ok. Inactive
    Yeah...ok.
    @Yeahok

    First: Herman’s Hermits ~ 1965

    Best: J Gilles Band ~ 1975

    Last: Some oriental dudes playing drums in dipers

    • #39
  10. Julia PA Inactive
    Julia PA
    @JulesPA

    Duane Oyen: Define “concert”. 

    From Wikipedia: A concert is a live performance (typically of music) before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band. 

    Of course your trip to the Symphony counts! Hopefully that performance was designed for kids and you enjoyed it.

    • #40
  11. Ed G. Member
    Ed G.
    @EdG

    Klaatu:…..(Unless you count when my mother dragged me to see Bobby Vinton or Davy Jones at the John Wayne Theater, Knots Berry Farm in the early 70′s)

    …..

     I do indeed count Bobby Vinton. Roses are red, my love, diamonds are blue. Sugar is sweet, my love, but not as sweet as you. In Chicago, in the neighborhoods I came from, “Polish Prince” wasn’t just a throwaway line.

    • #41
  12. Ed G. Member
    Ed G.
    @EdG

    Mark:

    …..

    Last: Robert Randolph & The Family Band, March 2014, Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix. Great live band.

    …..

     So jealous of this one. Maybe I’ll get around to seeing them soon.

    • #42
  13. Ed G. Member
    Ed G.
    @EdG

    Jeff Petraska:

    First concert: Electric Light Orchestra at the Pontiac Silverdome, summer of 1978.

    Last concert: Billy Joel and Elton John at the Pontiac Silverdome, summer of 1994.

    Best concert: For the music, Billy Joel/Elton John. For my life, ELO, as it brought me and my future wife together.

     I’m still tempted to take out a second mortgage in order to make my way to NY to see Billy Joel. I would have preferred to seem him closer to his prime, though. Billy Joel was one of the first two cassettes I ever purchased with my own money; it was Piano Man and The Wall.

    • #43
  14. Mr. Dart Inactive
    Mr. Dart
    @MrDart

    First rock concert I remember was The MC5 in a converted fire station in Toledo, OH in the spring of 1969.  We were underage but the brother of one of my buds played bass with the opening act and he got us in.  Before that we had seen Joe Walsh and The James Gang & Brownsville Station play high school dances which, technically, weren’t concerts.

    My career took me to about a thousand concerts over the years so it’s hard to pick one best. The most memorable that wasn’t work related was the June 1970 Cincinnati Pop Festival at Crosley Field.  A long day and night of acts but Traffic with Steve Winwood and Iggy & The Stooges were unforgettable.

    The last show would be my favorite current unknown artist, Chris Stapleton, at a bar in Winston-Salem, NC.

    I hope my next concert is a fully-recovered-from-heart-bypass-surgery Delbert McClinton show anywhere this year.

    • #44
  15. Ed G. Member
    Ed G.
    @EdG

    First: Page and Plant

    Last: Galactic (they closed with a killer cover of Gimme Shelter – great show)

    Best: Paul Simon

    • #45
  16. Ramblin' Lex Inactive
    Ramblin' Lex
    @RamblinLex

    First Concert:  FOGHAT, Atlanta Civic Center, 1975. 

    Last & Best Concert: ELTON JOHN,  Lakewood Amphitheater, Atlanta, 1992.  Best because accompanied by my future wife.   Music was pretty good also.

    • #46
  17. Fricosis Guy Listener
    Fricosis Guy
    @FricosisGuy

    Lance:

    Fricosis Guy:

    Most Shameful Concert: Suzanne Vega, Lisner Auditorium. To try to impress a girl, of course.

    Was her name Luka, and did she live on the second floor? I heard she lived upstairs from you and that you’d seen her before.

     

    Arrrgh! My flashbacks are back!

    And my therapist thanks you. Billings are down these days…

    • #47
  18. GLDIII Reagan
    GLDIII
    @GLDIII

    First concert Aerosmith 1976 Largo stadium Maryland 

    last concert Boston 1978 Largo stadium Maryland

    • #48
  19. Funeral Guy Inactive
    Funeral Guy
    @FuneralGuy

    First Concert:  To my great shame it was Harry Belafonte at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium Columbus, Ohio.  (Mitigating circumstance. I was only seven and my parents took me, but I did request to go.  Day-yo!)

    First Concert on my own:  The Animals   Same venue as above.  14 years old. 

    Best Concert:  (tie)  Randy Newman all by himself with just his piano.  Exquisite.  Universal Amphitheater, LA, CA.

                                         Elvis Costello all by himself with just his guitar.  Amazing.  Same venue as above.

    Last Concert:  Hard to remember but I think it was Anita Baker.  I’ve never heard a better singer live.  Same venue as above.

    • #49
  20. John Fitzgerald Inactive
    John Fitzgerald
    @JohnFitzgerald

    First Concert:  Michael Jackson & Jackson 5 at the Pontiac Silverdome, 1984

    Last Concert:  Goat Rodeo (Yo Yo Ma & other talented musicians) at Meadow Brook Music

    Theater, 2013.

    Best Concert:  Rusted Root at State Theater, 1996.

    • #50
  21. Funeral Guy Inactive
    Funeral Guy
    @FuneralGuy

    I hate to have lived your dream, but I saw Billy Joel at the Starwood in Hollywood right after Piano Man came out.  I was probably 10 feet from the stage.   I went up to him after the show and told him how much I loved Cold Spring Harbor.  He said, “Thanks, sorry for the terrible mix.”  Very gracious guy.

    • #51
  22. Blue State Blues Member
    Blue State Blues
    @BlueStateBlues

    First professional rock concert that I can remember:  A triple bill in 1975.  New York Dolls with David Johanson, Rush, and Blue Oyster Cult.  BOC was a little flat that night.  Rush blew the room away.

    Last:  Rush in 2013 (sixth time). 

    Best:  Hard to pick just one.  One of the most unusual was Robin Trower in a tiny club called Mabel’s in Champaign, in about 1982.  I was no more than 20 feet from him, and there were probably only about 100 people there (the place was that small). 

    Worst:  Ozzy Osbourne in Champaign, in about 1981.  Sat through the opening band (Ambrosia, I think) and about a half hour intermission.  Then the curtain lifted on the set, which looked like a medieval castle complete with burning torches, and the band started playing.  Ozzy stepped to the mike, sang “Over the mountain…” and keeled over in a dead faint.  He was carried off the stage, Randy Rhoades & co. finished the song sans vocals, and then the concert was cancelled and money refunded.  Sounded like it would have been good if Ozzy hadn’t been too strung out to play.

    • #52
  23. Blue State Blues Member
    Blue State Blues
    @BlueStateBlues

    And the classical version.

    First:  The earliest I can remember was Victor Borge, in maybe 1966 or so.  Very funny man and also a talented pianist.

    Last:  Elgin Symphony Orchestra, 2013.

    Best:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra, about 2002 I think:  Mahler’s 2nd symphony “Resurrection.”  Absolutely breathtaking.

    Worst:  Not counting school concerts, who after all are doing their best:  Probably the CSO again.  Anything by Charles Ives, or anything billed as a “World Premiere Performance.”  Run.

    • #53
  24. Julia PA Inactive
    Julia PA
    @JulesPA

    Blue State Blues: First:  The earliest I can remember was Victor Borge, in maybe 1966 or so.  Very funny man and also a talented pianist.

     Love Victor Borge. He’s on my fave list.

    • #54
  25. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    First:  America, (Opening Act: Poco)  at Summerfest in 1974 or 75.

    Last:  Moody Blues, in 2012.  (either the 13th or 14th time I’ve seen them since 1978).

    Best:  in my memory 33 years later:  A tie, between Jefferson Starship, and Supertramp, both in 1981 at Alpine Valley.  Ironically, Starship also qualifies for “worst”, when I saw them in 1986.

    Close behind best:  Simon and Garfunkel at County Stadium in 1983.  I actually dropped a class to be able to go – would have had a test 250 miles away the next morning at 8 AM.  Figured I could take Finance anytime, but would probably never have another chance to see S&G.

    • #55
  26. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Trivia: My parents  were at what I believe to be Benny Goodman’s last performance.  At least, they saw him on a Sunday, and he died on the following Tuesday.

    I also had friends who were at the Stevie Ray Vaughn concert at Alpine Valley, where SRV was killed in a helicopter crash leaving the venue.

    • #56
  27. kylez Member
    kylez
    @kylez

    (not counting the local symphony, first, or my friend’s local band, last)

    First: King’s X, Santa Ana, California, 2003

    Last: Snow Patrol, probably same city as above, ’06/’07. 

    Best: Belle and Sebastian, L.A., 2006.

    • #57
  28. Mark Coolidge
    Mark
    @GumbyMark

    Ed G.:

    Mark:

    …..

    Last: Robert Randolph & The Family Band, March 2014, Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix. Great live band.

    …..

    So jealous of this one. Maybe I’ll get around to seeing them soon.

    I’ve seen them twice and they are touring this summer.  It’s impossible to sit still when they are playing.  My wife is not a big rock fan but she loves this band.  There is something very uplifting and fun about their shows.   Have never understand why they are not better known.

    • #58
  29. Pugshot Inactive
    Pugshot
    @Pugshot

    Assuming we’re not counting classical music concerts –

    First concert: fusion jazz group Weather Report.

    Last concert: Al DiMeola at the One World Music Theater in Austin.

    Best concert: Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band (with Jack Bruce of Cream; Gary Brooker of Procul Harum; and Peter Frampton).

    • #59
  30. Idahoklahoman Member
    Idahoklahoman
    @Idahoklahoman

    First — Leon and Mary Russell at the Tulsa Civic Center in about 1975. An older brother of a friend was beginning his career as a concert promoter by sneaking 15 or 20 kids into a civic center. We each had to slip an usher a buck. Leon and the band were great; Mary could shatter glass, and not in a good way.

    Last — Bela Fleck and Brooklyn Rider (a NY-based string quartet) at the Peery’s Egyptian in Ogden, Utah last February.

    Best — tough, even impossible, call. Candidates include Muddy Waters opening for Eric Clapton in Tulsa in about 1978; Willie Nelson at the AlamoDome in San Antonio in 1979, during the filming of Honeysuckle Rose; Springsteen in Austin in 1980 or 81 (The River tour); Nick Lowe and Paul Carrack in a club in San Antonio in 1983; U2 in Tulsa a few weeks later; Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones in Salt Lake City a couple of years ago. How do you judge? By how you enjoyed it at the time? By whether you’d want to see it again? I can’t pick one over the others.

    • #60
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