JENN McKINLAY: Hub and I love going to concerts. He's a musician so it makes sense. Also, we're children of the 70's and 80's when concerts were events! Going to the show, getting the shirt, and wearing it to school the next day was a big freaking deal. Thus, my need to buy Springsteen's T-shirt a few weeks ago when we were lucky enough to catch him on his latest tour.
What do I love about concerts? The performance, for sure, but it's more than that. As Hub and I sat in our cheap two-kids-in college-seats, I chatted it up with the people around us--as you do. There were people in attendance who had seen the Boss over thirty times and they were now there with their grown children, making it a generational experience. I get the generational thing. My mom is a serious live music lover and concert goer and has seen everyone. I will likely never catch up to her.
There were also people from other states and even far away countries (Australia) who were following Springsteen on tour so after they caught him in Phoenix, they were following him to San Diego. No two shows are ever exactly the same, so I get it.
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| Jenn and Hub (waving to our friend Paige Shelton who took this pic from the floor) |
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| Steve Van Zant and Bruce Springsteen |
One of the best concerts I ever attended was U2's Joshua Tree tour in the Hartford Coliseum with all of my college roommates. The crowd left the arena singing "And I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" all together and it was so powerful it made the hair on my arms stand up straight.
Recently, Hub and I have seen Brian Setzer (Stray Cats) and the Gin Blossoms (Hub is in another band - Honeygirl - with one of them) and we had tickets to see Jimmie Vaughn but he had to postpone. This is mostly why we've been filling our empty nest days with concerts. It occurred to us that we're getting up there and our musical icons are, too. If we don't see them now, we might not get the chance.
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We were lucky enough to see the Rolling Stones before Charlie Watts passed away, and it meant a lot to us to bring the Hooligans to that show as well as many others over the years -- such as ZZ Top at the Arizona State Fair (their first rock concert), Dead & Co (several times) and Guns N' Roses for H2's birthday when the band reunited. Also, I was delighted when they recently went to see Post Malone and had to buy the T-shirt.
Full disclosure: I'm writing this on Wednesday, but on the day this posts, I will have just seen Phish in the Sphere in Las Vegas, assuming all goes well :) I'll be sure to report back in!
So, what about you, Reds and Readers, are you a concert goer? What show made a lasting impression upon you? If you could see any rock band or musical artist (living or dead) in concert, who would it be?
P.S. Okay, it's Friday and the Phish concert is tonight. This is the view of the Sphere from our room! Wild, huh?
I hope you had a wonderful time at your concert, Jenn . . . .
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joan. We did!
DeleteSounds quite wonderful ... I remember ungraciously giving up a ticket so husband and son could see him in Foxborough years ago. Also, as the mind goes, I then remember my first date (8th grade) to see Johnny Cash. Concerts. Yes.
ReplyDeleteJohnny Cash???!!! Amazing!
DeleteWhen I was in my late teens, one of my best friends worked for her boyfriend's family who happened to own one of the major ticket distributors, so not only did I attend a lot of concerts, she made sure I had primo seats! Third row, orchestra pit for Hall and Oates, who were incredible! Front row for John Denver, who I saw four or five times and got to meet backstage. We used to get free tickets to an outdoor venue only seven miles from home where I saw Chicago and--my all time favorite band and concert--The Eagles during their Hell Freezes Over tour.
ReplyDeleteWe love the Eagles and are so glad we saw them before Glen Frey passed away.
DeleteToss up, The Eagles, Paul Simon or Linda Ronstad or maybe Neil Young...
ReplyDeleteLinda is a Tucson girl! Never got to see her...sigh.
DeleteJoan Baez (with special guest, Bob Dylan who was in such a state he could barely stand), Billy Joel (nosebleed seats), Fleetwood Mac (reunion tour at Foxwoods I think), Greatful Dead (twice: Hartford and New Haven, breathing made you high), Chicago in (Wallingford), Eric Clapton ( North Carolina), lots of classical music concerts with fabulous classical artists. I don't have any shirts.
ReplyDeleteHub and I saw Bob Dylan and Merle Haggard - kind of an odd pairing - and yet a fabulous show!
DeleteHow great you could attend the same concert as Paige!
ReplyDeleteI started my concert-going with the Beatles at Dodger stadium when I was in sixth grade. Joan Baez at the Hollywood bowl, John prine at some club where he was singing with a picture of beer on his table, and groups like The Association.
But these days I have no interest in going to a big crowded very expensive concert of musicians from my past. We love going to see Celtic groups locally, and there's a wonderful outdoor venue called Boardinghouse Park in Lowell Massachusetts that has summer concerts. I saw Joan Baez there too a few years ago! And we saw Emmylou Harris and Mary Chapin Carpenter in the last decade, and Iris Dement last year. Much more my style.
How about that Edith? We do have at least one music artist in common. I've seen Mary Chapin Carpenter 3 times I believe. Loved each one. Oh, and folk artist John Gorka opened up for her on one of those tours. I didn't know him going in but became a huge fan of his from that set. Sadly, I had to miss him when he played Natick, MA last night.
DeleteI don't know John Gorka, Jay, but thank you. I have loved Carpenter for 30 years.
DeleteHub and I loved John Prine. Such a loss. :(
DeleteMy first concert ever was--I kid you not--The Monkees! I regret that I wasn't wise or discerning enough to choose the Beatles:). I've seen Bonnie Raitt and Emmy Lou Harris and I think I saw Dolly Parton. Plus I drove to NYC with some boys from college to see Traffic, and with another friend to see David Bowie. I love hearing music but hate fighting crowds but I may have to see who's coming and squeeze in a few more:)
ReplyDeleteThe Monkees were so much fun, though, and genuinely talented. One of my best friends had a MASSIVE crush on Davey, and we used to dance like maniacs in her basement to their 45's.
DeleteLucy, I tried so hard to talk my parents into letting me go see the Monkees. Alas, I was only in 4th grade and the parental units weren’t keen on me going to San Francisco for a concert. Years later (like 30+), i saw them after a ballgame on the infield. Not quite the same…. — Pat S
DeleteI'll bet the Monkees were fun, Lucy. And you couldn't hear the Beatles over the screaming anyway...
DeleteLoved the Monkees - probably the show more than the music. LOL. I saw David Bowie in Hartford for the Glass Spider Tour - that was a SHOW.
DeleteJENN: Lucky you seeing Bruce's latest concert!
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a huge stadium-sized music concert. Most concerts I go to hold 3000-5000 people max.
In Toronto, I remember watched iconic Canadian folk legend Gordon Lightfoot perform at the historic Massey Hall.
FYI, Lightfoot holds the record of 170 live performances at Massey Hall. It was always a special place for him to perform.
DeleteGrace, one of my all-time favorites! I was lucky enough to see him perform twice (Flora)
DeleteHub loves Gordon Lightfoot - he's jealous!
DeleteWe have tix to Paul McCartney's "Liverpool Oratorio", performed by the Cincinnati Opera in Music Hall. Looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteEXCITING!!!
DeleteJENN: My entire family LOVES music! A relative, who is a musician, went to see a Paul McCartney concert about ten years ago. Months before I caught meningitis, I went to a Joan Baez concert near my hometown with my parents.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos. That is awesome that Paige was there too! Currently reading her POISON PEN mystery.
Before the pandemic, my boyfriend and I used to go to concerts at the Symphony. We heard Renee Fleming and Susan Graham sing at the Symphony. That one stands out in my memory.
Growing up, I went with my parents to see a relative's concerts (she is STILL singing). The music is bluegrass.
Diana
Yes! We've talked blue grass before. Hub loves it!
DeleteI've only ever seen a handful of concerts so they are all memorable. When my brother was attending Cornell he got tickets for my sister and me to see the Rolling Stones, which was more exciting to me in hindsight than it was at the time. But I'll never forget my first Gordon Lightfoot concert. He sang a few songs and then stopped. He couldn't go on and walked off the stage. I believe he was going through some emotional crisis. We saw him the next year and he was fine and the concert was simply the best!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. I'm glad you got to see his full show.
DeleteThough I absolutely LOVE live music performances at small venues (think beer gardens and bar patios) I somehow never caught the big concert bug. That said, I have been to just a few, and for the most part they were awesome. We saw Springsteen about 7 years ago, and Billy Joel closer to 25 years ago. Oddly enough, I'm almost sure my first concert was Aerosmith.
ReplyDeleteOne interesting memory is of Barry Manilow coming through Columbus 10-ish years ago. A group of women from my church choir decided to go almost as a joke, thinking he was past his prime, kitschy, and sort of cliche. I'll tell you what: he missed the memo on being past his prime. He was a sparkling performer and he got stronger as the show went on. At one point a woman on the other side of the stadium let out a school-girl shriek, which seemed to trigger a similar reaction in others that sort of made its way around the stadium. Manilow paused in the song he was doing, looked at the audience and said, "Really? Still? After all these years?" I SWEAR his already great performance energy went up by two notches from that point.
OMG, that's awesome!!! Paige went to see him and said his diehards call themselves "Fanilows" and some had seen him 100s of times!!!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! Concerts can be very fun! I think my most memorable live music experience was called The Picnic and happened at Blackbushe aerodrome near London in 1978. Along with 160,000 other screaming fans, we saw Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, The Graham Parsons Project and other groups. Somehow, we managed to get our blanket down in the very front. Great seats until the crowd behind us started pushing forward and throwing things when they couldn't see.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Concert ettiquette is a thing. Hub is a huge fan of Graham Parsons - he'd be jealous!
DeleteA few years back, Jenn wrote a blog post about comic books. And now she writes a post about concerts. It's like she's trying to get me to write long and detailed responses for the things I like.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love going to concerts. I don't go to many these days because post-pandemic the costs even for the worst seats in the house at big shows are outrageous. Thus I'm missing Judas Priest/Sabaton this weekend and later this year I'll be missing Iron Maiden (who will be performing their song "Alexander The Great" live for the first time EVER!).
As most regular commenters likely know, I'm a hard rock and heavy metal fan for the most part. But oddly enough, the very first concert I ever saw was The Statler Brothers with Helen Cornelius. My parents took me and my sister with them. Harold Reid actually stopped the show so I could take a photo with my Kodak Instamatic camera. And I got a signed photo of Helen Cornelius after her set. (I still have it).
My first rock concert was in 1987 when I saw Survivor. I got to high five singer Jimi Jamison (RIP) during the encore of "Eye of the Tiger".
Since I review shows for KNAC.COM, I get press passes to some shows so I don't have to pay for the ticket. That made it fun when I got to walk up to the will-call window for the one and only time I saw Kiss and say that I was on the band's guest list. I could feel the daggers from the people in line behind me as they wondered, "Who the F is this guy?" I didn't bother to say that it was the opening band's (The Dead Daisies) guest list that I was on. LOL!
I've seen horrible shows like Blues Traveler, Type O Negative, Suicidal Tendencies (singer Mike Muir was drunk and high out of his mind), Filter and Prong and some opening band who's name I forget at the moment who sounded like they'd just discovered their instruments 10 minutes before going on stage. Oh, and The Cult stunk too because singer Ian Astbury sang every 3rd or 4th word of the lyrics in the laziest individual performance I've ever witnessed. The worst band I ever saw live was Warrior Soul. Their singer was a total a-hole and they remain the only band I've ever seen get booed off the stage.
But for the most part I've seen incredible shows (for one reason or another). I saw Metallica twice on their "...and Justice For All Tour" which happens to be the best tour they ever did. I wouldn't go see them now even if they gave me tickets for free.
Jenn, speaking of Guns N' Roses...I saw them when they were OPENING for Aerosmith (who I've seen twice). Besides a fantastic show, it was memorable because I had to save my friend's dumb ass from getting kicked out before Aerosmith. We were talking to a couple of hot girls and one of them offered him a pot pipe. I told him to not touch it because security was watching. Sure enough, the lights went down and they dragged the two girls out.
I saw Black Sabbath twice, including on their final tour. I also saw Heaven & Hell which was what Black Sabbath had to call themselves when they did a reunion album/tour with the late great Metal Master vocalist Ronnie James Dio.
DeleteI've seen Queensryche 9 times including twice on their stunning Empire tour where they performed the entire 'Operation:mindcrime' album. This is probably one of the biggest highlights of my concert-going days.
I've seen Melissa Etheridge 5 times. Those were interesting. The first time I saw her she hadn't come out yet so I had no idea she was gay until I was at the show and at least 95 percent of the audience was gay. Another show I was on a date with a 6'2" Amazonian Goddess! Another time I was at a show where I later found out from someone working concessions that the lawn area turned into an X-rated sex show of Caligula-proportions.
I've seen Iron Maiden 5 times and had a blast every single time. Those guys put on shows that put guys decades younger to shame.
I saw Helloween, Metal Church and Kix three times apiece and they were great each time. Helloween was mindblowing the 2nd time I saw them. I was supposed to see Metal Church in March but the tour got cancelled.
I've seen Accept and their former singer under his Dirkschneider banner in separate shows. HOPEFULLY I'll see him under his solo band U.D.O. moniker later this year.
I've seen my Metal Queen, Doro Pesch twice. If you are friends of mine of Facebook, my profile pic is of her and I after the second show.
Other bands I've seen include Dangerous Toys, Mike Tramp (met him), Hammerfall, The Iron Maidens (Iron Maiden all-female tribute band, met them), All Sinners (my friend's band), Bad Marriage (met some of them), Joey Belladonna's Beyond Frontiers (got a signed poster), Geoff Tate, UFO, Damon Johnson (met him), Carmine & Vinnie Appice Drum Wars, Tora Tora (met them), Ted Poley (met him), The Raven Age, Night Ranger, Sammy Hagar & The Circle, Michael Schenker's Schenkerfest, Images of Eden, L.A. Guns, Vixen (met them), Til Death Do Us Part, Y&T, Fates Warning, Winger (met them on their first tour), Kip Winger (met him on solo tour), John Waite, Leslie DiNicola, House of Lords, Nelson, Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper (Met him), Lita Ford, Flight of Fire (met them), Stormstress (met them), Dio Disciples, D.A.D., Testament, Anthrax, Act of Defiance, Armored Saint, Elm Street, Black Star Riders, Saxon, Judas Priest, Ghost, Rival Sons, Shadows Fall, Alice Cooper, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Halford, Def Leppard, Great White, W.A.S.P., Badlands, Damn Yankees, Don Henley, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, The Unband, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kim Richey, Shawn Colvin, Trisha Yearwood, Joe Ely, Ozzy Osbourne, Paula Cole, Ugly Kid Joe, Bad Company (with Brian Howe as their singer),Robert Plant, Cheap Trick, Heart, The Black Crowes, Whitesnake, Tesla, Poison and Exodus. I'm sure I'm forgetting some bands too.
DeleteI mentioned Trans-Siberian Orchestra above and what a lot of people don't know or conveniently forget is that they were born out of a heavy metal band. If fact, they were born out of my favorite heavy metal band...SAVATAGE! I saw Savatage 3 times and got to meet nearly every one who played in the band at one point or another during those three shows. The first time was at this small hole in the world club called The Living Room (with local act Emissary opening up). It was a fantastic show and because it was such a small club, I could hear them doing the soundcheck. We got to meet them because there was only one exit for the club. I have pictures posted on my Facebook page. As I got to meet Dr. Killdrums, Chris Caffery, Jon Oliva and the late great guitar master Criss Oliva at that show. (The photo of him and I remains a prized possession). The 2nd time I saw them was at Mama Kin's in Boston which was owned by Aerosmith at the time. Joe Stump opened. After the show I got to briefly talk to singer Zachary Stevens. The last time I saw them I traveled to Connecticut to see them play in East Hartford. It is the only time I've ever been able to go backstage at a show. Briefly said hello to Johnny Lee Middleton, met Jeff Plate and Damond Jiniya at the merch booth and once again got to meet The Mountain King himself Jon Oliva. As for the shows themselves...BEAUTIFUL! Each show was different but superb performances abounded each time.
One of the most stunning shows I ever saw was Beth Hart. Seriously, it was a moment of musical transcendence for me because every expectation I had going into the show was not only met but surpassed. Add in the fact that she performed my favorite song from her catalog (which she hardly, if ever, plays live) and it is just amazing. This is what I said when writing about the show: "I've been to my fair share of concerts over the last 30 years, some good, some bad and some that were great moments in time for me. Beth Hart at The Wilbur Theatre will now always stand as one of the single best shows I've ever seen. A finely wrought performance that rocked you one moment and moved you emotionally the next."
DeleteIf would like to read my full story (including how I owe the Boston Red Sox a thank you) about seeing Beth Hart live, you can check it out here: https://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/forum/topics/a-night-at-the-wilbur-beth-hart-live-in-concert
By the way, if you think this is a lot of live music believe me, I look like an amateur compared to some people I know. There's one guy I know, he's nicknamed The Road Dog, and he travels all over the world to see shows. He knows some bands so well that he works their merch booths for them. I wish I had his ability to travel the world just to see shows.
Finally, I'll be going to see Queensryche and Armored Saint next Saturday with my concert buddy George! And I'll be seeing Blind Guardian on a press pass in mid-May.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that I've seen my new latest favorites, Illusory, twice via livestream since they are in Greece. Loved both performances.
DeleteOh, and I saw U2 once. It was on their Pop-Mart tour. I got the tickets as a birthday present from my parents. They knew someone who knew someone and the tickets were from the ones that get set aside for the Foxboro police for the show. Terrible album but I loved the show itself (mostly when it was any song not from the rushed to market album).
DeleteHA!!!! I knew you would contribute beautifully to this post, Jay. We saw Areosmith with Motley Crue as an opener (18 years ago-ish) and I thought -ugh, I only like Aerosmith. Dude, I knew all the words to Motely Crue and they were awesome. Seriously, one of the best doubleheaders ever!
DeleteI love your history of shows and reviewing shows - so many crazy stories. We must meet up someday and compare notes. When I bartended at Toad's Place I met tons of performers and, oh, the stories I can tell!
Wow Jay! Just wow! It is hard writing my list after yours. But, here goes - back in the late 60's saw the Rolling Stones (tickets were just a few bucks as I recall), in the 70's hub and I saw Eric Clapton and other British type bands. Saw the Rolling Stones' concert again in the early 90's - he is a super performer.
ReplyDeleteJust recently my 10 year old granddaughter, my daughter, my grandson (12) and I all went to Palm Springs. My granddaughter & my daughter had tickets to see Olivia Rodriguez. It was so cute to see them getting ready for the concert with semi-matching outfits. They had the best time.
Oh and we saw Miles Davis in his last concert - excellent.
Seeing Miles Davis in his last concert is definitely a memorable moment. I was never a huge fan of The Rolling Stones but they had a song in the early 1980s that I liked. If I'd been able to see them around that time I would've liked that.
DeleteI love it! One of the things I love most about the new generation of artists is that they seem to be bringing back live music - nothing against DJ's but live music is where it's at IMHO.
DeleteWow, Jay, you are a FAN. I was feeling bad about not knowing who 95% of those acts were until I realized I was going to say I'd seen Clio Lane perform our neighbor's avant garde opera at Cincinnati's Music Hall. So there. LOL And Doc Severinsen performed with the Pops at Riverbend. It happened to be his 70th birthday, and our friends were friends with him, so I got invited backstage. They also took me to hear Manhattan Transfer at the same venue, and I also got to meet them briefly, as well as Clio.
ReplyDeleteMy first concert was to see Chicago, at the long-defunct Cincinnati Gardens, which could hold 11,000 people. At a much smaller venue a couple years later I went to see Procol Harum, whose second warmup act was Golden Earrings--both groups were really big at the time, unlike the first warmup act, a little-known piano player named Billy Joel. The University of Cincinnati Field House was tiny, and bare bones, where we sat on the concrete floor and the acts were in front of us, not even on a raised stage. Joel had a piano, a mic, and his harmonica strapped onto his chest. No frills. Big change from his concert last night at Madison Square Gardens, with many thousands of fans.
One of the best live acts I've ever seen was Willie Nelson and John Mehlenkamp, who also played at Riverbend. My brother-in-law--who had been to Woodstock, ya know, and who has very strong opinions about music--had won the tickets and didn't want them. My friend and I sat behind one of the high school counselors and the three of us, along with her friend, rocked the night away. No pyrotechnics, just pure, fabulous music.
We live less than two miles from Riverbend, which is an outdoor venue, and can often hear the louder concerts from our back porch. They're usually the ones Jay would enjoy, but not necessarily the ones we do. The Symphony owns it, and they recently bought the historic amusement park and swimming pool--the largest recirculating pool in the world, now no more--and tore it down to build a new arena. Closer to us. Not looking forward to that. But also, who can afford to go to these concerts? Tickets are SO expensive these days, but nearly every summer night thousands are down there, lining up to hear another band.
Jenn, has your hubs played with many famous musicians? My cousin Jimmy was a base player, and after he got out of the Air Force/Vietnam, he moved to London to try gigs there. He played with several guys who became famous, but the most memorable, who Jimmy said was a "jerk", was Mick Jagger. Now why did he wait until ten years ago to tell me this??
DeleteHow could I forget my favorite concert ever? I've been a fan of Pink Martini for many years, and belatedly heard that they were playing at Music Hall for one night, the very night I found out. I called the box office, and they had ONE ticket. This is a group of multi-cultural musicians and fantastic singers, and from the first note they exceeded all expectations. I'm so glad I decided to go by myself, and not worry about not having someone with me. Their usual lead singer, China Forbes, was recovering from voice strain, and Storm Large stepped in to blow me away. I've never been so spellbound by a performer. They're playing here in October, and I'm hoping to go.
DeleteKaren, while I am not familiar with Clio Lane, I have heard of Pink Martini! Like you, I do like going to shows on my own so I don't have to "entertain" someone else. But when I go to shows that are a long drive (for me), I prefer to go with my concert buddy. He likes driving. I give him gas money and that works. As for the expense of tickets now, I know why they are expensive but that doesn't make it any more affordable for me. That's why I miss out on shows that I can't get a press pass for. I'd go see Billy Joel or John Mellencamp if I could afford it. But I have bills to pay and food to buy which I tend to prioritize. LOL
DeleteHub has opened for a lot of great musicians in his day - mostly, west coast/southwestern bands like the Gin Blossoms, Meat Puppets, Posies, and Tenacious D (Jack Black's band). Currently he's in a band with a member of the Gin Blossoms but he was also the music editor for the Tribune for years and interviewed everyone from Brian Wilson to Mike Ness to Barry Manilow. He has some hilarious stories! To say music is a huge part of our lives is an understatement.
DeleteThis is fun: thinking back over who I've seen over the years and reading about who you all have seen, which is impressive. My first celebrity concert was when I was ten, and my whole family went to see an elderly Pablo Casals, who was considered the most famous cellist in the world. Ten years later I saw a very young Yo-Yo Ma, not yet as famous a cellist as he would be shortly afterwards. But let's get to more popular stuff, right? Jazz/Blues: I've seen Miles Davis, Lightnin' Hopkins, and (in a small café only a few feet away from me) Muddy Waters. Rock: When I was 15 I saw the short-lived band Blind Faith, with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood from Traffic. I was thrilled. And less than ten years ago, while Charlie Watts was still alive, I stood with my husband and adult son in a packed pit to see the Rolling Stones, which I LOVED (I'd never seen them before in all those years, and I was a big fan as a teenager). Finally, the musician I've seen at least three times in different cities and never get tired of seeing is Joan Baez. When she was young, her voice was heartbreakingly pure and beautiful. Just magic!
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Traffic would definitely be memorable...Love Steve Linwood.
Delete...Winwood
DeleteWould love to have seen Traffic.
DeleteTraffic would have been super cool to see!
DeleteMy most memorable concert was The Beatles at Suffolk Downs, outside Boston, in 1967, I think. I stood on a folding chair, wearing a mini skirt and screaming my lungs out. The next most memorable was a Simon and Garfunkel reunion concert at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut with surprise guests, the Everley Brothers.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to see Simon and Garfunkel all the time in Boston. Jealous.
DeleteMy first concert was to see Roy Orbison when he performed at the Winnipeg Auditorium in the 1960s. It was awesome! I saw Elton John in Winnipeg too when I was much older. He gave a memorable performance 🎶
ReplyDeleteDorothy, I would've liked to have seen Elton John.
DeleteI've never seen Elton John but Hub said he is quite the showman.
DeleteShalom Reds and Readers – I love music and seeing and hearing music being played live has always been a real treat. That being said, I have never had more than a passing interest in most rock music. When I was in high school, I went with a group of friends to see the Grateful Dead at what was then the New York Colliseum. There were no seats and I was not big on standing for hours, so I found an out-of-the way spot and laid down on the floor and closed my eyes and let the music wash over me. I think the only way I know that it was a Dead concert was that I kept the ticket stub in my wallet for many years afterward. I saw Tina Turner open for someone in Central Park, but I can’t remember who the main attraction was.
ReplyDeleteI like jazz. Live jazz, I’ve mostly experienced in jazz clubs or piano bars. More than a decade ago, I did get to see Patricia Barber open for McCoy Tyner at a local theater. She styles herself as a singer, but that night, she simply played the piano and was marvellous. I saw David Bromberg, the blues guitarist with a mean satirical streak at the same venue. I had seen him many years ago as a high school student. A lot of water under the bridge in fifty years.
Over the years, I’ve seen some Christian artists. I’ve seen John Michael Talbot in concert. Once as a young adult in New York City and more recently here in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I saw Sandy Patti and also 2 nd Chapter of Acts. The latter, in Galveston TX.
I’ve seen Manhattan Transfer in concert at Radio City Music Hall perhaps 3 or 4 times, usually on a New Year’s Eve. I saw Lena Horne (also on a NYE) close to Times Square. I saw Abbey Lincoln at a Community College close to where I live now.
I have seen Leonard Bernstein at a 9 am weekday rehearsal in Lincoln Center. A ninety year old Aaron Copland was also in the audience. I met an eighty-something Gordon Parks Sr., the photographer, at a premiere of some orchestral music that he composed, at a church in Center City Philadelphia. I got to shake his hand at a casual reception after the event.
I’ve been to a bunch of classical music over the years. Starting with Stokowsky and ending with Lang Lang and all sorts in between.
Leonard Bernstein would have been amazing!!!
DeleteClare and Tim were at tha Springsteen concert, Jenn. I’m surprised you didn’t spot each other 😋. My first big concert was the Rolling Stones when they were young
ReplyDeleteI can't believe we didn't run into each other! LOL!
DeleteIt is such fun to see what everyone loves! I have seen Bruce many times, and it is always absolutely fantastic, with everyone cheering and on their feet the entire time. Paul, Simon, too, what transporting concerts— he is so brilliant! Judy Collins, with Stephen Stills, amazing. Linda Ronstadt. And yes, my first, the Beatles at the Indianapolis Colosseum.
ReplyDeleteI agree, as I get older :-( the idea of fighting traffic getting tickets being in chaos and parking is less exciting… But wow, when you actually do it, it is amazing.
This reminds me when I lived in Atlanta, so many many many many years ago, I saw Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Junior. Now there is a concert :-) oh, and I still have a T-shirt that says “I missed the Stones.” They came to Atlanta in the 80s, and played the worlds smallest venue, and no one could get tickets. They made money by selling T-shirts advertising that you had missed the show. I still wear mine all the time.
Somehow, I just cannot picture you wearing a T-shirt.
DeleteI love that, Hank! Best non-concert T ever.
DeleteMy Springsteen T is from the Tunnel of Love Tour. My husband has tinnitus so live music is not his fav. We enjoy going to the open-air Greek Theatre where it doesn’t bother him so much. Last show we saw there was Chris Isaak and Lyle Lovett.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love both of those artists!
DeleteII wish it were otherwise, but I am not a concert goer. Crowds give me palpitations so I've always avoided them. Parades are out, too. Any event with to many people and not enough potties and exits. If I could be airlifted in and out then I'd be game.
ReplyDeleteThe crowd thing was a bit much. Hub and I forgot how challenging crwds can be - we're relearning our coping skills.
DeleteI used to love going to concerts. But now too many people there and the noise bothers my hearing. I would love to see another Prince and Luther Vandross concert.
ReplyDeletePrince was the BEST.
DeleteI’ve never had much interest in going to concerts. I don’t have patience with crowds, and I have rarely been able to afford a ticket. I did go to an Arlo Guthrie concert once. It was a benefit for the school my sister’s kids went to. And she worked at that school at the time. Her kids are married now and have children of their own. I’ve been to some concerts at Tanglewood, but that was before the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
I love Tanglewood - when I lived back east, we used to go all the time. I used to have a T-shirt...hmm.
DeleteI’m a big music fan, but my interests have been in the classical, Broadway show and jazz area..
ReplyDeleteBoston was always a big tryout city for shows headed for Broadway. I didn’t have a chance to see most of them during the golden age of the big ones, but I did see many in touring companies with the original actor reprising their starring role. This included Carol Channing in Hello Dolly who, even years after the original production, gave a terrific performance. She was probably in her seventies at that time and kept up with cast members who were probably half her age or younger. I saw Richard Kiley touring in his original role as Don Quixote in Man of la Mancha. There is something special about seeing an actor performing in a part they created.
Leontyne Price in concert. There again, not at what most people would consider her prime, but she knew what was appropriate for her voice at that time of her career and gave a wonderful concert.
Itzahk Perlman, the violinist, I had an opportunity to see in three different locations, London, Chicago and Boston The London one was with the BBC Symphony and the Chicago recital with Daniel Barenboim was just a fortunate circumstance of finding out that he was going to be performing when I was there.
I saw the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band with many of the original musicians. I saw them in both New Orleans and Boston. Every spring they toured around the country in their own bus.
They played in Symphony Hall in Boston and at the end of the show they played When the Saints go marching in and the musicians who were able (some were in their eighties and nineties) left the stage playing as they walked through the hall with members of the audience following behind them. They then finished up back on the stage with many of the audience members with them singing and clapping. I was one of those on the stage a number of times and had a chance to thank them afterwards. I was able to tell people later about my performing on stage at Symphony Hall.
I also saw Wynton Marsalis. During the intermission he would leave his trumpet on a chair on stage and people would walk up to the front of the stage just to look at it since it had been made for him and had beautiful filagree work around the bell.
I really enjoy the smaller theaters and halls which give a more intimate feel to the performances.
I love Wynton Marsalis! You have excellent!
DeletePhish!!! 🤘
ReplyDeleteYaaaaasssss! Bathtub Gin was my fave :)
DeleteI am a product of the 60's decade so I have seen many concerts over the years from rock to folk to jazz to classical, etc. I love every music venue (except truthfully heavy metal). I don't like being this old but absolutely love that I've been blessed to see so many talented artists over the years. My favorite singer, however, and one that I saw numerous times over the decades was John Denver. I absolutely loved that his concerts, with venues large and small, consisted of people of all ages kicking back and enjoying his music. Quite by accident and due to my being tardy to one of his concerts I was fortunate to finally meet my favorite artist. While running across the South Shore Music Circus parking lot with my husband Rudi he noticed that John Denver was standing outside the dressing room area waiting to be announced. He was all by himself, teacup in hand, and no security around whatsoever. Rudi turned to me and said "Now is the time to meet your favorite singer". It was one of those moments that demanded a quick decision; however, I hesitated before I said "What if he turns out to be a dink and tells me to buzz off?! I'd be crushed. He's been my idol for nearly 25 years." But with no time to waste I felt my husband pull me in the direction of John Denver and seconds later I was standing in front of him. I remember Rudi telling Mr. Denver that he was my favorite singer. . He smiled, extended his hand to me and at that moment my mind went completely blank. Out tumbled words that resembled a Lewis Carroll "Jabberwocky" poem. There may have been a few recognizable comments like "your lyrics are like poetry" but mostly it was nonsense. I was truly tongue tied. Rudi told me he turned to him for help...haha...of which my husband then said "Trust me, John...She truly loves you." I'll never forget how he laughed and gave me that two-handed handshake....one hand over the other....and I soared like I had wings up to heaven. I've met many delightful and well-known folks over the years through work and by chance but that delicious moment will always go straight to the front of the line for me. Sadly, that was the last John Denver concert I saw as very shortly thereafter he tragically died in an aircraft crash. He was far too young with so many more years to do future good things as both a performer and humanitarian. :( ~ Evie
ReplyDeleteThe South Shore Music Circus was the site of my first rock concert so I know that venue, though I've seen more shows at its sister venue, the Cape Cod Melody Tent. And I would go to a John Denver concert if that was possible. He's got a number of songs I like.
DeleteHub and I had just become friends when John Denver passed - we bonded over our love of Annie's Song and Rocky Mountain High. He seemed like a stellar person.
Deletel cannot believe this happened to me again. Just as I was about to hit "publish," my comments and the page disappeared. Yesterday, I thought I did get the comments through, but they disappeared, too. I don't have time to type it all again right now. I'll be back later.
ReplyDeleteBlogger is a nasty bugger.
DeleteComments keep disappearing on me. Yesterday I didn't realize they did that. I'll try again later.
ReplyDeleteCan't get to publish.
ReplyDeleteI’m a child of parents who were 41 when I was born. Since I am no kid myself now, my parents were of the 40s era of music lovers. I am not saying I ever saw any Big Bands (I’m not that old!), but I did get to see Mel Torme and Rosemary Clooney in the last years of their lives; both were entertaining with their stories, if not as perfect in voice as in their youth.
ReplyDeleteAs for rock concerts, I think my very first concert was Donovan in the late 60s. I saw Chicago and The Beach Boys together in what used to be called A Day on the Green at Oakland Coliseum in the 70s. Saw the Doobie Bros. twice with Pablo Cruise as the opening act both times. I was very fortunate to see Harry Chapin in concert about a year before his death. Jackson Browne post-pandemic, still sounds great. Have seen Heart as a band as well as Ann and Nancy Wilson in solo shows. About ten years ago saw Huey Lewis and the News. Recently saw Al Stewart in a concert with incredible backup musicians.
I have seen many Broadway or non-rock shows. Don’t know how many times I’ve seen the Manhattan Transfer or Barry Manilow in person (and agree that Barry is quite the entertainer). The only time I have ever been to the Greek Theater in LA I saw Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey in concert. Bette Midler in concert is as funny, inappropriate as you’d expect. There’s a band we first saw opening for Rick Springfield 20+ years ago called Venice (two sets of brothers/cousins, one set are the younger brothers of the Lennon Sisters) we see every time they come to town. They play a kind of California Rock style of music and are always a fun show.
Lastly, though I have never seen her perform in person, Joan Baez came to a play I was involved with in high school. She lived somewhere nearby and knew someone in the cast. She sat on the edge of the stage and talked with people after the show. (Afterwards someone painted “Joan Baez sat here” on the stage!) So technically I have seen her in person! — Pat S
That's fabulous, Pat! One of my high school bandmates (Ed Toth -- we were in percussion together) is now one of the drummers for the Doobie Bros. Small world.
DeleteNot a big concertgoer these days, venues are not thick on the ground in my neck of the woods. Loved going when in Florida. More than formal concerts, my favs were the street concerts, restaurants, and bars with stages where impromptu groups would play, and dance venues. There was always a sense of discovering new (at least to me) talent. Such fun.
ReplyDeleteIf I could see any concert again...there would be two. Jimmy Buffett at the Miami Marine Stadium, and Moody Blues at the Hollywood Sportatorium. Both venues are long gone, but the ambiance added to the experience. Fun concerts, both.
Kait - Hub and I both qualify as Parrotheads - we've seen A LOT of Jimmy Buffett concerts and were crushed when he passed.
DeleteLast week we went to New Orleans for the French Quarter Fest with our friends who have been going every year since the pandemic. Their musician daughter joined us and very much changed our musical experience. She’s a very pretty, striking looking woman and she loves talking to musicians and the security guys. (She’s a professional keyboardist who has played with Selena Gomez, Halsey and Post Malone.) At one club we were all perched on stools watching the band play while a big booth sat empty with a reserved sign strung across it. Finally she went to talk to the security guard, asking if the booth was really reserved. Smooth as could be, he answered, “It’s reserved for you, darlin’” and proceeded to open it for us. From that little encounter, she befriended this man. He invited us to a dive bar (it literally is listed as such in their website!) to see a group play - and to feed us alligator sliders! From there the next night we were invited to see that band play a bigger, less ear splitting venue and see another band! Pays to know people, even if to us she’s just our friends’ “little girl”!! — Pat S
ReplyDeleteThat's epic, Pat! I have never had a bad music experience in NOLA. I want to hang out with you friend's "little girl." LOL.
DeleteWhat fun! Love hearing who everyone has seen. I did see the Beatles but alas, not the Rolling Stones. I think I've seen Paul McCartney three time post Beatles, and I've never seen anyone bring so much energy to the stage. Too many others to list, but we tend to avoid the really big venues these days. I think the last big concert Rick and I went to a couple of years ago was James Taylor with Bonnie Rait, and that was super. My most recent was seeing Keb Mo at the Winspear Opera House here in Dallas (thank you Gigi Norwood for a great evening!) and do not miss him ever you get the chance.
ReplyDeleteI would really like to see Ed Sheeran, preferably in a smaller venue, although I don't know what you'd have to do to get tickets... And I would really like to see Brandi Carlile.
I've never seen Bonnie Raitt - so jealous!!!
DeleteGosh, this brings back some real memories. Saw the Stones twice, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Sevens, Loggins and Messina, Diana Ross, Blood, Sweat & Tears (showing my age there), Crosby & Nash (but not Stills or Young), just to mention a few. Of recent memory, the Carol King/James Taylor tour a few years back was just spectacular. But of all live performers, one stands out above the rest -- Harry Chapin -- saw him at least five times before he departed this earth. The shows he put on were just awesome!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Cat Stevens - how lucky you are!
DeleteI'm happy to report that the Hub and I made it to Phish performing at the Sphere in Las Vegas last night and it was everything we hoped it would be and more. Truly a transformative experience.
ReplyDeleteHarry Belafonte
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteYesterday and today my comments won''t publish. Trying a test now.
ReplyDeleteWorked!
DeleteKathy, I see your comments. But I gather you are having trouble posting longer remarks? I hope this gets resolved!
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen a few concerts through the years. When I was a young teen and earlier it was mostly country music because that’s what my parents liked. We saw Don Williams three times,(he was my mom’s favorite), Charlie Pride a couple of times, Ronnie Milsap, TG Shepard, Crystal Gayle, Oakridge Boys and a few others I can’t really remember at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI saw Beach Boys twice, Huey Lewis & The News, Ted Nugent, Rick Springfield, Bad Company, Loverboy and a few others as an older teen.
Then not too many concerts for a few years but this year I’ve been to a few with my cousin that have been fun. The last couple of years have been rough ones for me and my cousin has made it her mission to spend time with me and have fun. We went to a Christmas concert in Muskogee benefiting Salvation Army that was hosted by The Swon Brothers (they are from Muskogee, Oklahoma) and they had Heath Wright from Ricochet, Emily Ann Roberts, Bryan White and Jermaine Mondaine performing at it. They are all country, sorta. I say sorta because it isn’t my parent’s country music!! Then in February she took me to see Diamond Rio with Deana Carter. In March we saw another benefit concert, this one for the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville. The concert was in Tulsa and was hosted by Blake Shelton, and he performed a full concert along with “friends” popping in and singing a few too. Kristen Chinoweth, Ronnie Dunn, Vince Gill, Wade Hayes and the Swon Brothers. Blake’s wife, Gwen Stefani, was a surprise guest and sang a few songs with him. That was an awesome concert and was almost 3 hours long.
JAY, this comment will get your attention. The 9th of this month I got to see John Mellencamp in Springfield, Missouri about 3 plus hours away. I went to that one with one of my sons. He didn’t want me driving at night by myself so I think that’s why he volunteered to drive. I have really wanted to see him in concert for years and haven’t been able to do it for one reason or another, but decided I was going, even if it was nosebleed seats so I could afford to see him. Well, when I went online prowling around all the different ticket sellers to see who had what I came across an article for Missouri State University where the concert was held that said if you followed this link you get could get tickets buy 1 get 1 free. Then I saw something that said they had just released some more seats, not sure why they were held, but I got two tickets very close to the stage for the price of what one nosebleed seat was going to cost. I was so excited!!! That was an excellent concert and I would love to see him again. It was so funny watching everyone walk into the concert hall, they were all OLD!! lol!! I made a comment to my kid about everyone’s age that was going in and he just laughed and said we were all old fogeys going in there. When it was over, he did say that he was surprised he enjoyed it as much as he did and if I went to see him again he would go.
Next up, in May, that son and I am going to see Duran Duran. That should be another fantastic one. Then in August my cousin is taking me to see Rick Springfield. When I saw him the first time it was actually on my 18th birthday in August which was, let’s just say, SEVERAL years ago…lol. This time she bought tickets for the concert, which is on his actually birthday this time, and a meet and greet before the concert. I am very excited about that one too.
I’m 68 years old & still go to concerts! Went to a jazz concert last Friday. My favorite concert was Tower of Power’s “official” 50th anniversary concert at Fox Theatre in Oakland CA. I’ve seen them countless times over the years beginning with Toad’s in my hometown (New Haven). Seeing them in Oakland in their hometown was on my bucket list. So I couldn’t pass up going for the special concert. I was actually stunned when I was able to get tickets (a whole other story). So I had to plan a trip to the Bay- one of my favorite places. I like various kinds of music. And what I especially like about concerts is the sense of community and the diversity of the audiences- at least for concerts I go to. I would like to have seen Tony Bennett.
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