Another ...

[ericcoleman]

What is the most exciting live act you ever saw ... IYNSHO?

For me it's tricky, so I'll mention a couple.

Jethro Tull numerous times in the 70s ... Ultravox in 79 opening for, and blowing off the stage, The Police.

And the greatest ... The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. If you have seen me play in circles you've probably heard my favorite story about Alex. I think this sizes up their attitude onstage.

They were opening for Slade in 1972. Slade is pretty well forgotten by most folks on this side of the pond, but in 1972 they were one of the biggest acts in the British Isles. No one wanted to open for Slade, it was dangerous, their fans were berserk. Alex saw no problem with it. One night was particularly tricky. At a certain point Alex walked up to the mike, and in his thick Scottish burr said "I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is, this is our last song". The audience cheered, and cheered. Alex stepped back with his wonderful gap toothed wicked grin. And kept grinning. After a moment, the audience calmed down. Alex stepped up to the mike and said "the bad news is it's a fookin long one".

Much of Alex's early fan base was made up of folks who saw them on that tour.

Comments

[ericcoleman]

I never got to see the J Geils band, but Full House is one of the greatest live albums ever. I wish it was longer.

[phillip2637.livejournal.com]

(Funny coincidence in light of the first comment here.)

Yes in 71 or 72. I had only heard a few cuts from their second and third albums and knew almost nothing about them, but went to a show anyway. The opening act was The J. Geils Band and they were so good that I assumed anybody trying to follow them was going to flop.

It didn't work out that way. It was more as if J. Geils had softened us up for the knockout punch.

Semi-retired idiot.

[johnny9fingers.livejournal.com]

So many to choose from.

Probably because I was thirteen going on fourteen, Zep at Earl's Court in '75. (My first real gig.)

Mind you Spirit in '77 or '78 (I cannot remember exactly though it was during the punk period) wasn't too bad either.

Thinking more, in retrospect I was most excited in anticipation by either The Clash in '78 or Crimson's reformation in '81.

The Pistols in '76 weren't as awful as some have said, though somewhat shambolic: but lost time gilds memory. [Name drop warning.] I last saw Glen about three years ago in TPA. He and Steve K are chums: he doesn't remember the gigs too well.

In the end, I reckon Zep in '75, but it's a close call.

[allisona.livejournal.com]

I saw "The Who" perform the entire rock opera of "Quadrophenia" some 15+ years back. That was a cool concert.

[ericcoleman]

Quadrophenia will get mentioned by me tomorrow. I really wanted to see that tour.

[allisona.livejournal.com]

I'm one of those odd people who has always preferred "Quadrophenia" to "Tommy" (though Tommy has some great music, too).

[ericcoleman]

I think Quadrophenia is Townsend's masterpiece. It works on every level for me. I love Tommy, but there is a lot of the middle of Tommy that is pretty bland. It moves the story along, but not very well.

[born-to-me.livejournal.com]

I've not seen a lot of big-name live stuff. One of the best opening acts I ever saw was Dave Bromberg, opening for Arlo Guthrie. That was a great concert. As far as being OMG blown away, probably seeing B.B. King live was the best. His own band opened for him, then he came out and owned the stage.

I do have to mention the first time I saw the Violent Femmes. They were incredible, and Gordon Gano has the most amazing eyes. He saw that I knew every word and watched me a lot during the set. *swoon*. Seriously, they are a great band, live or in recordings.

[ericcoleman]

I saw the Femmes shortly after the first LP came out. They were a ton of fun.

Pink Floyd and Great Big Sea

[sexybass.livejournal.com]

Pink Floyd blew me away in the 70's and I have to say Great Big Sea always blow me away with their live shows.

[pooh27bear.livejournal.com]

Weird Al always knocks my socks off.

[lickintoadz.livejournal.com]

The most bizarre was Hank Williams Jr at the Kansas state fair. He was so wasted he started his second song (after slurring the 1st and forgetting the words). It looked like he had pissed his pants. He said "fuck this" and walked off the stage.

The one I had the most fun at was Pantera/White Zombie/Type O Negative. Wild times, man.

[bammba-m.livejournal.com]

Jethro Tull was my first rock show. I'd never heard of them, but friends had tickets so we went. Then I was all, "Hey, that's Ian Anderson! He's a professional flautist! He spoke to my music class!"


The best live act I think was Gnarles Barkley. I had no idea what to expect and they put on a great show.

Of course, Mr. Barry Manilow was also a great show. pbth.

[batyatoon]

I don't see a whole lot of live acts outside of filk.

The most exciting ... probably Andrew Bird at Radio City Music Hall, just this year.

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

Luka Bloom once toured with The Pogues, I think, back in the day. As a guy with an acoustic guitar opening for a punk band, he started his set by saying, "I'm Luka Bloom. Don't fuck with me."

He also puts on a fine show.

Flaming Lips

[ka-klick.livejournal.com]

I've seen a fair number of great shows, including Frank Zappa and Jefferson Starship (note the Jefferson was still in their name at the time and they still did tons of JA stuff) oh, and Queen - lots of great shows, but for my money the show that Flaming Lips did at 80/35 made me a solid fan (after having been mildly curious) - unfortunately this years fest had nothing to hold a candle to it - especially the headliners the real action this year was on the free stages - I should have saved my money.