1) What was the first concert you attended? What do you remember about it? Talking about nationally/internationally known artists.
2) What was the most recent concert you attended, and when?


(need some extra stimulation to stay awake this afternoon . . .)

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1. First... the Osmonds. Hey, cut me some slack: I was six. What I remember is that it was still in the days when girls thought they had to scream through the whole show.

2. Last... Tom Petty, last Sunday. Van Halen the week before that.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2012 12:54PM by Will Collier.

1. Rick Springfield in 1983 for the "Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet" tour. I actually ushered for the concert, so I didn't have a ticket. The opening act got boo'd off the stage. I don't remember who they were.

2. Van Halen 2 weeks ago. Great show that has already been discussed on here in a previous thread.

edit: Will and I were at the same VH show, though not together.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2012 12:55PM by DavidS.

Depeche Mode in '83 I think, at Hammersmith Palais.
Haven't been to many concerts recently, kinda got out of the habit.

Thanks, guys.
Mine: I was at Disneyworld, probably 1976, and happenedinto a performance going on there-- it was the group "Starbuck" and the first time I heard a live performance of something I'd heard on the radio ("Moonlight feels Right"-- who remembers it?)
First "real" concert-- Cheap Trick at Alpine Valley-- 1978?
Most recent: Death Cab for Cutie about 2 weeks ago.

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first - CSN&Y in 1983 in Gainesville, FL

Last - CSN&Y in 1983 in Gainesville, FL


Yeah, I'm not a big concert go'er..

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2012 01:04PM by Ombligo.

First - Grateful Dead, Oakland CA, New Year's Eve, 1982. I was 15 years old and went to this show with my Deadhead uncle and one of his girlfriends. Totally amazing show. Just after a break, Etta James and Tower of Power joined the boys on the stage. [www.youtube.com] It was probably one of the most surreal things I have ever done. Was really hot in the building and people were trading water for drugs. I will never, ever forget it.

Last - Went to see Fleetwood Mac at the Tacoma Dome a couple of years ago. Was an entertaining show. I had seen them before, but not with Lindsey Buckingham. This time he was with the group. What a talented individual.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2012 01:05PM by kahuna1342.

1. Joan Armatrading in SF (happened to be the same night the 49ers won their first Super Bowl so the city was crazy). Great show.

2. The Ting Tings about a month ago. It was my sons first concert. We had a blast!

1. AC/DC (I was young, although I did see them several more times)
2. Some jazz/world/funk stuff that no one here would probably know.

First Concert) Megadeth - they had an arena sized PA system for a concert in a theater the size of a high school auditorium
Most Recent) The Paperboys at the Seasons Performance Hall in Yakima. The Paperboys are a Juno award(Canadian Grammy) winning band from Vancouver. Seasons Performance Hall is an old Church of Christian Scientists church. The accoustics are incredible. It is one of those places where you see it and wonder how/why was this built here?!? They frequently get really good jazz acts to perform there. It's nice enough that people have started commuting from Seattle to see shows there.

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Nothing to see here, move along.

First: Van Halen 1979/80 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago

Most recent" Van Halen 2012 at the United Center in Chicago.

The more things change, the more they stay the same!

JPK

Either HFStival or Ozzfest in 1998, I forget which came first.

Most recent show of national fame was Blue October, 2011.

First, Yes in the round, 1980 or so.

Most recent, Bob Seger this year, but I've got tickets for Ian Anderson in November.

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ztirffritz
First Concert) Megadeth - they had an arena sized PA system for a concert in a theater the size of a high school auditorium.

WHAT?

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I can't remember the first. Alison Krauss and Union Station was the last.

first - Joan Baez at Carnegie Hall 1971

most recent - Bonnie Raitt next Wednesday here in Atlanta.

I can't even remember when I last went to a major concert. has to be at least two decades. this upcoming show is the most I've ever paid for seats. $45. i love Raitt and would have paid more if the seats were available.

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graylocks
first - Joan Baez at Carnegie Hall 1971

most recent - Bonnie Raitt next Wednesday here in Atlanta.

I can't even remember when I last went to a major concert. has to be at least two decades. this upcoming show is the most I've ever paid for seats. $45. i love Raitt and would have paid more if the seats were available.

They've been playing her version of "right down the line" a lot on the radio. I didn't want to like it at first since I consider the original just fine, but it's grown on me...

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1 - The Yardbirds with Jimmy Page at a dance at my HS, Christ The King, in Middle Village Queens, NY. 1968. They played in the cafeteria, used the kitchen as a dressing room and stood on top of the lunch tables for their set. I stood literally 3 ft. in front of Jimmy Page for the whole set and got his and the whole bands autographs after the show. Just unbelievable and still a thrill when I think back.

2 - The Eagles at The Pru Center a few years ago.

I find most shows now not interesting enough to spring for but I'm looking forward to seeing my old guitar teacher, Pat Martino at the Blue Note this month.

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JoeM

first...not sure either Ziggy Marley or James Taylor in the late 80s at Penn State's Rec Hall

most recent...Buddy Guy at the Hershey Theater


On Wednesday, I passed up some Allman Brothers (and Santana) tix at $137 a pop. Just toooooo much

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Buddy Rich - 1967
CSNY at Fleet Center 2002

actually greg lake a couple weeks ago but left quite early as sitting in a theatre for karaoke was just too weird

First ? Uhm.... Well, the first I paid for was . uhmm.... damn.. I was really drunk, and it was like 35 years ago.. uhm... I *think* Jethro Tull. Best Friend who was a girl (she clearly stated she was *not* my girlfriend, but I followed her around like a puppy anyway) was a flautist, and loved their work.

Last ? Neal Diamond with Mrs. cbelt3 about 20 years ago.

Contemplated going to see U2 the last time they were in town, had arrangements to go see Heart, but mrs. cbelt3 said no.. her arthritis keeps her from sitting for more than half an hour or so. And yeah, tickets are insanely expensive.

ed.. suddenly realized I'm in my 50's, not my 60's. Math Is Hard.. Barbie said so !



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2012 02:30PM by cbelt3.

First: Jeff Beck and the" Rough and Ready Tour" (Todd Rundgren opened for him) at the old Spectrum in Philie - think spring or summer '72 maybe. Nosebleed seats but nobody seemed to care - either the very last row or close to it. Spectacular concert, though Rundgren was better than Beck. Think Nazz had just broken up a few months prior.

Last: George Mesterhazy tribute 2 weeks ago. George was a jazz pianist extraordinaire and his passing has left a huge hole in the Philie/New York Jazz scene. Here's a great video of one of his last gigs in NYC...

[www.youtube.com]

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billb
Buddy Rich - 1967
CSNY at Fleet Center 2002

actually greg lake a couple weeks ago but left quite early as sitting in a theatre for karaoke was just too weird

Agree-- saw a concert last summer with a double bill of well known R&B performers, and everything but the vocals was being generated from a laptop. Karaoke can be fun under the right circumstances, and I understand that it's hard to make a tour turn any sort of profit rather than a loss, but there's no substitute for live musicians.

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1. First... Meat Loaf with the Good Rats, 1978 at the Garden State Arts Center in NJ. Meat announced his engagement to Carlotta that night. He was sweating so much that it was spraying out of his long hair as he whirled around on stage. The Good Rats tossed rubber rats into the audience. Great show. I'm lucky that I remember that much given how much we were drinking and smoking.

A close 2nd a few weeks later was a huge outdoor stadium show in Philly... Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Mahogany Rush, and Journey. I recall it being very hot (started in the afternoon), drinking massive amounts of vodka and OJ from gallon jugs that we brought it, and practically passing out when we crammed up near the stage during Aerosmith's set. They still seemed very far away.

2. Last... Van Halen, last month, Philly.

First concert is a bit hazy. I think it was Aerosmith in the early '70s, before they got really big.

Last was Pink Floyd during the Pulse tour. It was probably the best live concert I've ever experienced, but the A-holes in the crowd pretty much ruined me for attending any other concerts. Same as with movie theaters. You can't get me into one nowadays. Thanks, A-holes!!

I've developed a real dislike for crowds of any type, these days. Give me the great outdoors! Where very few souls are found. There, I'm the happiest.

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JoeM
1 - The Yardbirds with Jimmy Page at a dance at my HS, Christ The King, in Middle Village Queens, NY. 1968. They played in the cafeteria, used the kitchen as a dressing room and stood on top of the lunch tables for their set. I stood literally 3 ft. in front of Jimmy Page for the whole set and got his and the whole bands autographs after the show. Just unbelievable and still a thrill when I think back.

I was going to say post a picture of this or it didn't happen, but then in googling this, I see in the dealmac archive from 2004 you say you actually do have a picture.

For me,

the Who (the clash opening) in 1979

The new pornographers locally at a club; Neko was there backstage but didn't come out for some unexplained reason.

I'm going to a concert tonight, although I'm ashamed to say who it is. Let's just say they're reviled by many. But the wife likes them, so we're going...

The first - The Beatles in the early '60's ...

Last - Elton John, a few years ago.

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michaelb

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JoeM
1 - The Yardbirds with Jimmy Page at a dance at my HS, Christ The King, in Middle Village Queens, NY. 1968. They played in the cafeteria, used the kitchen as a dressing room and stood on top of the lunch tables for their set. I stood literally 3 ft. in front of Jimmy Page for the whole set and got his and the whole bands autographs after the show. Just unbelievable and still a thrill when I think back.

I was going to say post a picture of this or it didn't happen, but then in googling this, I see in the dealmac archive from 2004 you say you actually do have a picture.

For me,

the Who (the clash opening) in 1979

The new pornographers locally at a club; Neko was there backstage but didn't come out for some unexplained reason.

I saw The Who in 1979 but don't remember anything about an opening act.
I saw New Pornographers last year and actually didn't stay for the whole show (made the mistake of going on a work night, was preoccupied with work stuff. . . .)
or possibly it wasn't a great show.

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Damn, I'm glad I'm not as old as some of you!

First: Genesis, Cleveland, around 1982

Last: The Arcade Fire, Chicago, last year

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Athens, OH

Eh, first one? The first few bands i saw were in bars/clubs. The Fugs, Charlie Mingus, JB Hutto and the Hawks. First auditorium concert was i think the Fugs with Allen Ginsberg—benefit for a poet busted for obscenity (1968 in Cleveland).
Last was Amanda Palmer about a year and a half, two years ago. I have a poster signed by her and Neil Gaiman.

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I saw Bruce Springsteen at the Kiel Opera House in St. Louis in either 1980 or 1981. I think after that he played only really big venues. Heck of a concert for your first one!

Last show was Usher/Akon for my wife's birthday last year.

Beach Boys mid 80's
Blue Oyster Cult and , yes, Foghat in 2010.
I actually enjoyed Foghat more than BOC.
Same time frame was Ringo's All Starr Band

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The last show I saw was The Hamsters but you might not know of them despite them being an incredible live act. First show, hmmmm....not sure exactly, it was the 60s! Hendrix and The Who double bill at Brian Epstein's Saville Theatre in 1967 would be one of the biggest of my earliest shows.

Paul

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First: Berlin at a college near the town I used to live while in HS

Most Recent: James (if you don't know them by name, you may have heard the song "Laid"

First, Beach Boys at a gymnasium in San Jose, Ca. 1963.

In two weeks The Strawberry Music Festival, [www.strawberrymusic.com] 21 acts in 4 days!

Way too many in between to remember.

First: Metallica and Guns 'n Roses double bill @Phoenix Int'l Raceway, 1992 IIRC. Great crowd, Metallica's set was the best I've heard from a rock concert by a wide margin, including seeing them at a different venue about 4 years later (in LA area, with a crappy crowd). GnR was good but their sound was awful. Got there late, so missed Faith No More opening.

Most Recent, popular: U2 @LA Coliseum for Elevation? tour, ~2003?. Great show, lots of fun, great crowd, sonics good,

Most Recent, any: a String Quartet (don't remember which) @Disney Concert Hall in LA in 2006. The best sound I have ever heard, by a wiiiiide margin. You might think that in a reasonably large concert hall that a string quartet might not be able to fill the space or the cello or viol might sound weak, but not @Disney. I know people have heard the accolades of the acoustics of this place, but you need to *experience* it. This is what audiophiles spend $10K+ to attempt to recreate in their listening rooms. And I understand why after this concert.

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(vikm)
First: Berlin at a college near the town I used to live while in HS

Most Recent: James (if you don't know them by name, you may have heard the song "Laid"

Didn't know James was still at it...very cool. I've been recording a lot 120 Minutes lately and the nostalgia factor is great. Their videos pop up quite often.

First: Fresh Fest 1985

Most recent: Dumpstaphunk

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rj
AKA
Vreemac, Moth of the Future

First (if you don't count the Osmonds at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo sometime in the 70s) was the Who (Stevie Ray Vaughan and DT opening act!) at the Astrodome in '89. I was about to turn 19 and that was my first real concert. I know, pretty sad, but here's the story: my brother had gotten me into classic rock in the early 80s. The Who quickly became my favorite band, but not in time for me to see them in '82 (my brother went to that show). I was so bummed about just missing them that I made a vow to myself that my first concert was going to be the Who and nobody else. So, I only had to wait 7 years for them to come back in '89. Still have the ticket stub at my parents' house.

Last concert was Roger Waters the Wall a couple of nights ago at Toyota Center in Houston.

Upcoming concerts:

1. Maybe Jane's Addiction next Wednesday (don't have tickets yet).
2. The Cult in June.
3. Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang in June.
4. Van Halen in June.
5. Coldplay in June.

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First was Joan Baez around 1970. I remember that she dedicated a song to her husband who was in jail at the time for resisting the draft and I also remember that the air was thick with smoke, and it wasn't from cigarettes.

The last was the Neil Young's Bridge Benefit Concert last October. The lineup was great as usual:

Neil Young
Dave Matthews
Arcade Fire
Eddie Vedder
Carlos Santana
Beck
Mumford & Sons
Norah Jones

I hadn't heard Mumford & Sons live before and I can now say that they are much more impressive live than on the radio.

Last year was a great year for me and concerts. In addition to the Bridge Benefit, I saw Buffalo Springfield, the Moody Blues, and Karen Lovely (a rising star on the blues scene).

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2012 05:51PM by davester.

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Maddog
I saw Bruce Springsteen at the Kiel Opera House in St. Louis in either 1980 or 1981. I think after that he played only really big venues. Heck of a concert for your first one!

I saw Roger Daltrey there in 2011

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Bo

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(vikm)
First: Berlin at a college near the town I used to live while in HS

Most Recent: James (if you don't know them by name, you may have heard the song "Laid"

Didn't know James was still at it...very cool. I've been recording a lot 120 Minutes lately and the nostalgia factor is great. Their videos pop up quite often.

James were really great! Tim Booth does a lot of different things these days (acting, dance, solo records, etc. Probably one of the more overall talented people I'm aware of). They aren't supporting a current record so they played a number of standard hits plus some pretty rare b-sides, etc.

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davester
First was Joan Baez around 1970. I remember that she dedicated a song to her husband who was in jail at the time for resisting the draft and I also remember that the air was thick with smoke, and it wasn't from cigarettes.

The last was the Neil Young's Bridge Benefit Concert last October. The lineup was great as usual:

Neil Young
Dave Matthews
Arcade Fire
Eddie Vedder
Carlos Santana
Beck
Mumford & Sons
Norah Jones

I hadn't heard Mumford & Sons live before and I can now say that they are much more impressive live than on the radio.

Based on your lists, you may want to check out Englishman Frank Turner. Actually, anyone would do themselves a favor by checking him out. Outstanding talent! Just recently played Wembley (sold out perhaps). Not many know him here in the US.

[www.youtube.com]

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davester
First was Joan Baez around 1970. I remember that she dedicated a song to her husband who was in jail at the time for resisting the draft and I also remember that the air was thick with smoke, and it wasn't from cigarettes.

The last was the Neil Young's Bridge Benefit Concert last October. The lineup was great as usual:

Neil Young
Dave Matthews
Arcade Fire
Eddie Vedder
Carlos Santana
Beck
Mumford & Sons
Norah Jones

I hadn't heard Mumford & Sons live before and I can now say that they are much more impressive live than on the radio.

Last year was a great year for me and concerts. In addition to the Bridge Benefit, I saw Buffalo Springfield, the Moody Blues, and Karen Lovely (a rising star on the blues scene).

Jealous.
Mumford and Sons better come out with something new soon or their window is going to be closed.

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archipirata
Damn, I'm glad I'm not as old as some of you!

First: Genesis, Cleveland, around 1982

Last: The Arcade Fire, Chicago, last year

I purposely left the age/year thing gray for those who might not want to reveal their ages.
But just because someone saw their first concert in the 90s doesn't mean they weren't in their 30s or 40s at the time . . . and those who saw their first concert in the sixties might have been traveling in a papoose

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First: Boxcar Willie and the Mandrell Sisters that my parents tooke to as a wee lad. Actually, it may have been the Statler Brothers first.

Last: Grace Potter/Cee Lo/Ben Harper at the park down the street from my house last summer. I was too drunk to enjoy it, though. Apparently, I didn't like what I was hearing and was heckling them. I think I was actually drug back home before Ben Harper. I don't have a problem. Really. It was just that damn free beer garden...

Next: Steve Martin in June

After that: Chris Robinson and Wilco

I plan on thoroughly enjoying (and remembering) both of those shows.

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BernDog
First: Boxcar Willie and the Mandrell Sisters that my parents tooke to as a wee lad. Actually, it may have been the Statler Brothers first.

Last: Grace Potter/Cee Lo/Ben Harper at the park down the street from my house last summer. I was too drunk to enjoy it, though. Apparently, I didn't like what I was hearing and was heckling them. I think I was actually drug back home before Ben Harper. I don't have a problem. Really. It was just that damn free beer garden...

It's also possible that the alcohol paradoxically improved your ability to accurately assess Cee Lo Green's degree of musical aptitude.

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On my own, Maynard Ferguson at the Great American Music Hall in 1976.
Blue Öyster Cult at Slims in 2009.

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in tha 510.

First: Pink Floyd (the Animals tour)
Most recent: Slightly Stoopid (2010)

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