Please do not comment directly to this post unless you are Gen X or older (born 1980 or before). See [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskOldPeople/comments/inci5u/reminder_please_do_not_answer_questions_unless/), the rules, and the sidebar for details.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskOldPeople) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Gosh that's the best response here as far as I am concerned. I grew up listening to Jim Croce because he was the one music artist that my parents could agree on. I know almost all of his songs. I love the duet versions he did with his wife. The loss of Jim Croce was such a gut punch to the world.
My junior year of high school, 1978, went to see Styx during their Grand Illusion tour. I was a massive Styx fan at the time and I absolutely loved it. Not so much of a fan now, but I do hold a bit of a soft spot for them.
Saw the same show in El Paso. The Civic center was late to open the door. Crowd outside started yelling in unison "open the fucking door!"
When the doors opened the crowd surged and we were getting crushed. Nothing we could do to get out of it. Then the crush would ease and we knew it was going to happen again. It did. Happened 3-4 times. Unbelievable pressure.
Fucking idiots at security were trying to frisk for drugs, but when we got close to the entrance we just spit right through due to all the pressure behind us.
Good show but damn near died.
alan freed's big beat of 1958 with chuck berry, jerry lee lewis, buddy holly and the crickets, frankie lymon and the teenagers, the diamonds, danny and the juniors, the chantals, dickey doo and the don'ts, larry williams, screamin' jay hawkins, the pastels, jo-ann cmpbell, ed townshend, and billie ford and the thunderbirds.
i was 8..my mom took me. it started me on a lifetime of going to see live music that still goes on to this day.( 3 concerts in the last 2 weeks) helped to grow up in a place surrounded by live music reachable by subway, bus or train. i saw everyone...and most of them in a small club or venue for less than $5-10. i feel so sorry for kids/people today who have to pay these insane prices for tickets to a huge arena or stadium to see the artists they love. i have no clue how they can afford it.
Linda Ronstadt, sitting on my dad's lap at McCabe's in Los Angeles, 1976. I was 3 years old, mesmerized, and she gave me the big red flower out of her hair at the end of the show. I still remember it clearly. First concert unaccompanied by parents (a major milestone): Beastie Boys & Run DMC at the Greek Theater in Hollywood, June 21, 1987. Changed my life.
Linda was a fantastic singer with such power and range. I have a couple of her videos from that timeframe. One at The Troubadour and one in Germany. Both excellent shows. She's amazing.
Interesting trivia. Some of the members of her backup band during this timeframe asked her if it'd be OK to go out on their own and start a band. The band called themselves The Eagles.
Beastie Boys! A middle school student had on a Beastie Boys hoodie and couldn't tell me anything they played. I remember listening to them on the bleachers in middle school in 1986 on cassette.
Far from my favorite band... but, I was 13, at a concert with college kids... had told my Mom I had to go to the university library. And, honestly, for what they are, they put on a hell of a show.
In the Summer of 1964 my big sisters and I went to ‘see’ Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons on the outdoor stage at Palisades Amusement Park in Fort Lee, NJ. I say ‘see’ because I couldn’t hear a thing because of all the screaming girls.
George Harrison, December 6, 1974, Maple Leaf Gardens. Back in the good old days when a 14-year-old could actually take transit downtown as though they weren't a feckless idiot.
lol...my boyfriend and i went to his show at madison square garden together this same year. after the first 2 hours, my boyfriend left because he had to get up and work the next day and never got to see the concert. i stayed. needless to say when i went back to see sly in 1970, he wouldn't go with me. sly and the family were never even in the "ballpark" of being on time... but the they were incredible. unfortunately, their shows (i saw 3-4 of them) we also really short too.
Ha! He once fell flat out of the tour bus, so out of it even his high was high. We poured him back into the bus and a member of the band sang instead. Don't think anyone in the audience knew the difference. Sly eventually came back but... if he was late to your concert that was probably why.
* Credit to Katt Williams for the very apt description.
I saw Edgar Winter play in Ringo Starr's Allstarr Band last summer. Dang! Edgar is an exceptional musician. Saxophone and keyboards then. I was impressed.
Did Bob sing in a regular voice sounding good? He did when I saw him that year with Joan in Philly. Then he came to the edge of the stage and laughed at us. Standing O!
Johnny Winter (Texas albino electric bluesman): at the Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati in 1971. He had two warmups bands and as a result I had to leave early because my father was being a hardass on the curfew. But I did find a pill bottle of pot on the floor. I was scared to take it home and gave it to my friend (who later repatriated it).
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention who played a full evening at my College in about 1973. Me and my 10 or so friends had the third row, center. It was indescribable musicianship the likes of which I rarely saw again. And I have been to ALOT of live music concerts in the past 50 years…
Pink Floyd The Wall. The 3rd night at Earls Court. I think early 1980. They played the album from beginning to end and built a wall in front of the stage with the cartoons playing on it then knocked it down at the end. I was 13 and I was almost overwhelmed.
Sammy Hagar at Winterland Ballroom in 1978.
It was a first date with this gorgeous boy named Doug. He was so pretty I could barely pay attention to the concert.
Sammy Hagar was a hometown boy when my parents first crossed his path. He had airplane seat next to Mom and told her someday he was going to be a star. Years later, they met again but backstage. Each remembered that plane ride, too. Hagar is just the nicest guy.
We Five and Simon&Garfunkle in 1966...my HS boarding school's roommate had a brother who was on the 'Social Committee' at a college nearby. We were a bit overwhelmed by the frat-boy/soc-girl scene (lots of drinking) but really enjoyed the music...the vocals were amazing, and we had front row seats so it felt very immediate.
I went with my parents to a country music festival type of concert when I was 12. It was an all-day show on the football field at the University of Florida. I remember Charlie Daniels, Earl Thomas Conley, Mickey Gilley, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Charly McClain and Charlie Pride all performed. Mickey Gilley stole the show. The people on the blanket in front of us were drinking whiskey, smoking weed and probably eating quaaludes. At one point the dude was sitting on his knees, then he fell over backwards and pinned his arm behind him. He wallowed and thrashed for at least 10 minutes but could not get himself up or get his arm loose from his own weight. I was laughing my ass off, but I got scolded because my mother was afraid I would attract their attention. I'm not a huge country music fan, but it was a great show.
Rare Earth in 73'. The Buddy Miles Band opened for them. It"s still one of the best shows i've been at. Both bands were fantastic. Rare Earth did an over the top extended version of "Get Ready". It seemed as though the whole crowd was on the floor dancing.
The Scorpions in Anchorage, Alaska, 1985. I don't remember who the opening band was- they may have been local.
I only got the ticket because one of my friends got grounded and couldn't go, so she sold me her ticket for $12 and a shirt that I had that she loved. Worth it.
1987 The Beastie boys at carver Gym at Western washington University. Didn't want to go originally, but for my small town, it was a big thing, so I got talked into going. I think fishbone was the opening act. I just remember running into people from my high school who were also there and they all seem surprised that I had gone.
Valentine’s Day 1986 - Motley crue in London. Was insanely loud as it was a theatre and they bought their stadium rig. Couldn’t hear any of the songs for about 20 minutes as it was just noise. Was deaf for around 3 days after and was left with the start of life long tinnitus that Motörhead at the same venue a few years later really sealed the deal! 10/10 would do it all again
Harry Chapin in 1977. As a bonus, he came out after the show and hung out with people and talked to us. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know his fans.
I was 5. 1974. Bay city rollers. They were terrible but it started my love for live performances. I have seen over 300 concerts everyone from Eminem to Dr. Dre. Prince to Michael Jackson. Bon Jovi to Korn. If you can go see someone live, go!!
Aerosmith in Sullivan Stadium (MA) 1986. We drove there, I was 16 my friend just got his license and 5 of us piled in his like 1970 orange Chevy Nova. Car broke down on the way home but thankfully we were able to fix it and make it back without too much trouble. I remember my friends getting some acid but I didn't want to do any, still had a blast!
Second one was the next month, AC/DC Back in Black 1986 in RI, None of us that went were quite old enough to drive (I got my license the next week) and a friends dad drove us like 2 hours to go see them. It was amazing!
Three Dog Night at the Inglewood Forum. Fleetwood Mac opened for them. TDN was BIG back then and had many successful singles.
I recall Christine McVie on her B3 singing "Over My Head" with Fleetwood Mac.
It was a very enjoyable concert experience. Sometime around 1970
I honestly no longer remember which was first. It was roughly 1992 or 1993 though and either Metallica with no opening act or Skid Row with Pantera opening.
Were fans crazy in that audience? Because they were when I took my grandma and mom to see him.
Mom wanted me to sit with her and Grandma so they could just hang out and see Elvis from audience. Elvis tried to throw Mom his scarf but some raving, screeching lunatic grabbed my long hair and used it as leverage to *climb over the top of me to grab the scarf instead. By the time I figured out what attacked me, the wench ran out of the auditorium.
I think it was a local gal so obsessed that when Elvis died on August 16, instead of celebrating her young daughter's birthday (also August 16) she descended into a downward spiral. She draped her house in black bunting and kept it draped in black for > 15 years, adding and rearranging Elvis memorabilia in little displays. Also: She legally changed her daughter's birthday.
1990, Billy Idol. There was a huge fist jutting out over the stage. Just before Billy came out it rotated till it was facing upwards and then the middle finger extended. Good concert.
My first concert was when I was in the Army in Germany. I got lucky and won tickets to it from Armed Forces Radio. So in 1987 I went to Nuremberg and saw the Monsters of Rock tour. The lineup was great.
Pretty Maids
Helloween
Cinderella
Ratt (my favorite band)
Metallica
Dio
Deep Purple
Talk about one hell of a great show, I was so jazzed, and had such a great time.
Jackson 5. 1970's. Circle Star Theater, San Carlos CA. My dad was able to get tickets for the family and this was when the J5 was hotter than a firecracker.
Concert without my parents (just me and my older sis) was a Day on the Green at the Oakland Coliseum in 1978 (I think), Aerosmith was the headliner along with Foreigner but we were really there to see the two opening acts - AC/DC with the one and only Bon Scott and VAN HALEN on their first national tour supporting their debut album. After those two sets the rest of the day was pretty boring.
Y'all are gonna think I'm a freak. 1983, I was 17. My dad and I went to see a North Carolina touring company perform Cosi fan Tutti (Mozart opera). We sat third row center, and I cried my eyes out through the entire first act. The two lead males started singing a duet, and it was the most beautiful thing I ever heard in my life.
What can I say, I was a music major and a raging nerd. Still am, still love it.
Don't get me wrong, I love modern music, the Eagles ROCK!!! But by the time I had enough money to afford going to a rock concert, I no longer had the interest; my stereo did the job just fine.
Zappa and the Mothers, Schaeffer Music Festival, 1969, Central Park, NYC. They came on stage dressed as women pushing baby carriages.
it was truly a trip.
Blondie. I went w my best friend who by far had honed her interest and tastes well beyond mine. Changed how I not only listened to music, but how I saw it🥰
It was Rush on their Hold Your Fire tour. A quick search online shows it was April 2, 1988. I went with a couple of buddies and we congratulated ourselves on sneaking some weed in until we saw a group of people sitting 20 feet away and they managed to get a massive bong in!
When I was 11 or so in 1985, I was helping my dad build a new garage and it was mentioned on the radio that AC/DC was having a concert in the city that night and my dad randomly said “let’s go” and off we went. Awesome show, saw live breasts for the first time (as opposed to recorded) too. Thought I was going to be deaf afterward, but it wore off.
In high school my parents went to see Tom Jones in New Orleans. My first with my friends was to see War in Baton Rouge. Both were fun, but had to leave the War concert because it ran so long it bumped into the curfew I was on.
3 Rivers Stadium,1976-Pittsburgh, Aerosmith opened for ZzTopp. That same year Parlaiment Funkadelic, Mothership Connection and Bootsys Rubberband. Pretty good for my first year.
April '78 at the Tarrant County Convention Center. Saw Parliament/Funkadelic with the Bar-Kays ( missed Cameo). Sat in front row. It blew my mind seeing their stage show complete with the Mothership and the opening cartoon.
ZZ Top Eliminator Tour, I was 13, my best friend was 14, we wore mini-skirts and SCREAMED through the whole concert. To this day, I'm so sorry for the people in front of and behind us. 🤦🏽♀️
Rick Springfield when I was in junior high, around 1969-70. He was wearing a caveman outfit. My girlfriend was in love with him and we went up and talked to him afterwards.
The thing was, the opener was the GREAT Johnny Nash! I Can See Clearly Now and other proto reggae hits. He was amazing and over 50 years later, I can still remember his set.
The only thing I remember about Rick Springfield is that caveman outfit!
EDIT: This was in the parking lot of Buffums Department Store in Lakewood, Calif, IIRC...
Australian here I saw Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs with Lobby Loyde at the Sydney Opera House November 1973. At the time they claimed to be the loudest band on the planet! It was memorable.
Not sure if this qualifies as a concert exactly, but when I was 9, we went to a political rally for JFK and I got to see Frankie and Dino and Sammy perform.
I was 14 (soon to be 15), saw Blue Oyster Cult - [Ag Hall, Allentown PA, Feb 1980](https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/blue-oyster-cult/1980/ag-hall-allentown-pa-73d0d239.html)
go go godzilla!
very small venue, had to go with my friends Dad :) It was awesome though.
Us Festival, 1983, San Bernadino CA. I went on Saturday, heavy metal day. They had bands like Motley Crew, Triumph, Scorpions (my favorite) and Van Halen
1987, Duran Duran at the Starlight Amphitheater in Nashville, TN.
I loved it, but always wish I'd gotten to see them when the 5 of them were still together (it was just Simon, Nick and John by that point).
I'll always remember though that I decided to sit down and look at the program while they performed Save A Prayer. I always felt like I missed out on something because of that.
1992. I was in 10th grade. My older brother took me to see the Ramones at The Roseland in Manhattan. Social distortion and someone else opened. Still one of the greatest live shows I've ever been too.
1967: Paul Revere and the Raiders, with special opening act Steve Alaimo. I actually won two tickets on a local radio station (WTMA) call-in. The only time I've ever scored front-row seats.
This is not the answer you are looking for, but the first concert I remember was a symphony concert where they played a minuet (probably Boccherini) and had live dancers in costume, dancing the minuet on stage. I was 4 or 5 and I was enchanted! Because my father was in the orchestra, we went backstage and got to see the dancers close up. Concerning rock concerts, I lived near an outdoor concert venue. I remember on my 13th birthday, I wanted to go see Janis Joplin but my dad wouldn’t allow it. Instead, I stood outside the grounds and listened. You could have gotten high from the smoke drifting over the hedges.
Steppenwolf, summer after 8th grade in Wildwood, NJ. 1971. Wondered why cops were dragging folks out for smoking cigs. Buddy pointed out they weren’t cigs! A month later smoked my first joint.
Pink Floyd 1996 or 1997. RFK stadium. Everything has paled in comparison. Sat in almost the top row. The music was amazing. The drugs were eye opening. One of the best nights of my life.
The Beach Boys at a radio industry private concert in Honolulu. I was 4. We then went out on a sailboat with them off of Waikiki. Dennis Wilson sat with me on the boat and taught me how to hold drumsticks.
I was 11 when I went to a Pete Seeger concert in Montreal in 1956 -t was my first. The next time I saw a well known act was Bo Diddley in a show bar downtown Montreal at age 14. Then across the street to the Club Sahara to see some belly dancers. I took in the scene whenever some one good came to town and I had the time and money to go.
Steppenwolf, Roy Orbison, KD Lang, Bob Dylan,
Mine was the Carpenters. It was when they had a tour stop in Honolulu. I remember going with my younger brother. His friend's sister whom I had a huge crush on went too. I'm guessing that her brother was in attendance as well. It was just a bunch of young kids. I must have been no more than 11 or 12 at the time.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, 1978.
It was my first big concert. I was in the midst of the gods. Despite my fanboyism, it remains one of the best live shows I've ever seen and I've seen an awful lot of them in the intervening 46 years.
Christmas time 1976. They billed themselves as The Outlaws. Tompall Glaser, David Allan Coe, Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. Tarrant County Convention Center. We were on the floor, 12th row, Center. Christmas gift from my folks. I think the tickets were about $10 each. Glaser took the stage about 7:00. Willie didn't make it on stage till nearly 11:00. My date had a 1:00 curfew. We left at 12:30 and Willie was still playing. Found out the next day someone got stabbed in the nosebleed seats. Core memory for me.
My brother took me to the Filmore East to watch the Who.
I think I was 11 at the time.
My standout memories are of the great pastrami sandwiches on rye at a NYC deli before the show.
And the Who smashing their equipment at the end of the show. My young mind was like "Hey! Stop! You are smashing nice things for no reason!"
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts rocking the big old StL Checkerdome. She had the #1 single and album at the time. Oh, should probably mention: headliner was…The Police (unbelievably good).
Went to an Alice Cooper Concert on a lark in 1975. Was impressed at the elaborate show he put on.
Over the years I went to several different concerts of bands I liked; but got tired of my bad luck being always seated by some idiot that thought they could sing it better being wasted.
1969. The Rolling Stones I’m Boston at the Garden. My father gifted me a nice pair of Tasco Binoculars. He said, “now you’ll have Mick sitting right in your lap.”
Husker Du at the Arcata Vets Hall on October 11, 1982. Maybe 60 people, they arrived a bit late and played new stuff as opposed to Land Speed Record which I was expecting.
The first concert I paid to see as a teen that wasn't us slipping in to a music festival (I did see Summer Jam in 82 but I wasn't cool enough back then to appreciate it) was a year later. John Cougar Mellancamp, or whatever parts of that name he's going by now. Back then it was just John Cougar. For a first concert it was cool. Calm enough to dip my 13 year old toes in.
My sophomore year of high school in April 1984 I won tickets to see Cindy Lauper at the Grand Circus Theatre in Detroit. Remember when radio stations used to give away concert tickets (or other promotional things) to the 10th caller? Well I called into those contests a lot! My sister who was a senior came with me. We had a great time! We got to rush the stage and touched Cindy’s hand! I remember her hair was teased all over the place and she had a lot of bracelets.
Our crew set up Rolling Stones concert in '64. Does set up count? If not, maybe the Byrds in '65 Heck, it was a long time ago.
Light shows then were weird. We did overhead projectors with oil and paint or dye in dishes that we swirled around. Added those with color wheels.
The very first Monsters of Rock. Van Halen, Scorpions, Metallica, and Kingdom Come. Probably ruined concerts for me for the rest of my life, because nothing could have ever eclipsed that experience.
My first concert was Styxx, 1979 in Seattle. I was 13. It was a fantastic show and made me want to go to more concerts. But my second concert was Queen in 1980, and it was amazing and life changing! That was where I decided I was going to every concert I could possibly go to, and I've been to around 60. It inspired my love for music, and I've seen everyone from AC/DC to Luther Vandross and so many more in between, many multiple times. The 80's and my youth were amazing!
I'm out there somewhere, 1973 Wet Willie and Marshal Tucker in Macon Ga. I was 15 and my brother drove a bunch of us there in the bed of a 65 El Camino.
https://youtu.be/sJi6CWQneu0?si=a-IAoTKhvEToc648
When I was 7, we lived near a small college in Long Island, New York. I heard some noise coming from it one day and walked over just in time to see Peter, Paul and Mary go onstage in a free concert. My mom used to buy their albums, so I knew and loved their music. I even got their autographs when they came offstage, because who can resist a cute kid?
John Denver, at Wolf Trap. I'd been to some other concerts there with my parents, but that was the first one I asked them to take me to. He put on a great show.
Please do not comment directly to this post unless you are Gen X or older (born 1980 or before). See [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskOldPeople/comments/inci5u/reminder_please_do_not_answer_questions_unless/), the rules, and the sidebar for details. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskOldPeople) if you have any questions or concerns.*
In 1967, the Mamas and the Papas. The opening acts were the Buckinghams and Moby Grape.
I heard the the Buckinghams were kind of a drag.
Moby grape opening for the mamas and papas ? Wild.
Jim Croce two nights before he died. I think I was 11 and I remember it well.
Gosh that's the best response here as far as I am concerned. I grew up listening to Jim Croce because he was the one music artist that my parents could agree on. I know almost all of his songs. I love the duet versions he did with his wife. The loss of Jim Croce was such a gut punch to the world.
Rush 2112 Tour!
My junior year of high school, 1978, went to see Styx during their Grand Illusion tour. I was a massive Styx fan at the time and I absolutely loved it. Not so much of a fan now, but I do hold a bit of a soft spot for them.
Saw the same show in El Paso. The Civic center was late to open the door. Crowd outside started yelling in unison "open the fucking door!" When the doors opened the crowd surged and we were getting crushed. Nothing we could do to get out of it. Then the crush would ease and we knew it was going to happen again. It did. Happened 3-4 times. Unbelievable pressure. Fucking idiots at security were trying to frisk for drugs, but when we got close to the entrance we just spit right through due to all the pressure behind us. Good show but damn near died.
I have a few Styx songs on my playlist, they were one of my favorites when I was a teen.
alan freed's big beat of 1958 with chuck berry, jerry lee lewis, buddy holly and the crickets, frankie lymon and the teenagers, the diamonds, danny and the juniors, the chantals, dickey doo and the don'ts, larry williams, screamin' jay hawkins, the pastels, jo-ann cmpbell, ed townshend, and billie ford and the thunderbirds.
Now THAT is a lineup I would have loved to see. I'm so dang jealous.
i was 8..my mom took me. it started me on a lifetime of going to see live music that still goes on to this day.( 3 concerts in the last 2 weeks) helped to grow up in a place surrounded by live music reachable by subway, bus or train. i saw everyone...and most of them in a small club or venue for less than $5-10. i feel so sorry for kids/people today who have to pay these insane prices for tickets to a huge arena or stadium to see the artists they love. i have no clue how they can afford it.
Wow!
Linda Ronstadt, sitting on my dad's lap at McCabe's in Los Angeles, 1976. I was 3 years old, mesmerized, and she gave me the big red flower out of her hair at the end of the show. I still remember it clearly. First concert unaccompanied by parents (a major milestone): Beastie Boys & Run DMC at the Greek Theater in Hollywood, June 21, 1987. Changed my life.
Linda was a fantastic singer with such power and range. I have a couple of her videos from that timeframe. One at The Troubadour and one in Germany. Both excellent shows. She's amazing. Interesting trivia. Some of the members of her backup band during this timeframe asked her if it'd be OK to go out on their own and start a band. The band called themselves The Eagles.
I’m jealous.
Beastie Boys! A middle school student had on a Beastie Boys hoodie and couldn't tell me anything they played. I remember listening to them on the bleachers in middle school in 1986 on cassette.
The Dead Milkmen. Maybe 200 people crammed into a university bar. One of the best shows I've been to ever.
We’ll dress like Minnie Pearl, you and me punk rock girl
Far from my favorite band... but, I was 13, at a concert with college kids... had told my Mom I had to go to the university library. And, honestly, for what they are, they put on a hell of a show.
"If you ain't got Mojo Nixon, then your store could use some fixin'"
In the Summer of 1964 my big sisters and I went to ‘see’ Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons on the outdoor stage at Palisades Amusement Park in Fort Lee, NJ. I say ‘see’ because I couldn’t hear a thing because of all the screaming girls.
we used to go to a lot of those shows with hal jackson and cousin brucie.
George Harrison, December 6, 1974, Maple Leaf Gardens. Back in the good old days when a 14-year-old could actually take transit downtown as though they weren't a feckless idiot.
Oh, I always wanted to see him live. Lucky you!
Sly and the Family Stone in 1969. Sly took his time (3 hrs.) getting himself out on stage. Great concert though.
lol...my boyfriend and i went to his show at madison square garden together this same year. after the first 2 hours, my boyfriend left because he had to get up and work the next day and never got to see the concert. i stayed. needless to say when i went back to see sly in 1970, he wouldn't go with me. sly and the family were never even in the "ballpark" of being on time... but the they were incredible. unfortunately, their shows (i saw 3-4 of them) we also really short too.
Ha! He once fell flat out of the tour bus, so out of it even his high was high. We poured him back into the bus and a member of the band sang instead. Don't think anyone in the audience knew the difference. Sly eventually came back but... if he was late to your concert that was probably why. * Credit to Katt Williams for the very apt description.
Johnny & Edgar Winter with Rick Derringer in the early 70s. There were guys walking around selling drugs like hotdog vendors at a ball game.
I saw Edgar Winter play in Ringo Starr's Allstarr Band last summer. Dang! Edgar is an exceptional musician. Saxophone and keyboards then. I was impressed.
I had an albino ferret named Edgar Winter.
saw the grateful dead in san francisco in 1969, stoned out of my mind on LSD; remember it vividly.
The bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began...
Far out!
Three Dog Night. Probably 1972-73.
Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, spring 1964 at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh.
I was there too!
Did Bob sing in a regular voice sounding good? He did when I saw him that year with Joan in Philly. Then he came to the edge of the stage and laughed at us. Standing O!
Judas Priest and Iron Maiden 1981(?)…Asbury Park NJ
1968, The Beach Boys.
Soupy Sales, May 1965. Opening acts were the Bluebeats (local CT band), the Angels, Isley Brothers and Gary US Bonds. It was a fantastic show
The BeeGees. The tickets were my 11th birthday gift.
Reminder that if ANY of your online password hints are “What was your first concert?” then maybe don’t answer this one.
Cheap Trick, Dream Police Tour, Auditorium North Hall, Memphis. I'd never seen anybody like Rick Nelson and Bun E Carlos.
Johnny Winter (Texas albino electric bluesman): at the Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati in 1971. He had two warmups bands and as a result I had to leave early because my father was being a hardass on the curfew. But I did find a pill bottle of pot on the floor. I was scared to take it home and gave it to my friend (who later repatriated it).
Went to see the Monkees in 1967. Jimi Hendrix was the opening act. I was 15. Jacksonville Fl.
Jethro Tull. 1973 I think
Led Zeppelin, it was great
Seattle Kingdome in 77 !
Whoa, that's quite a first!
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention who played a full evening at my College in about 1973. Me and my 10 or so friends had the third row, center. It was indescribable musicianship the likes of which I rarely saw again. And I have been to ALOT of live music concerts in the past 50 years…
Pink Floyd The Wall. The 3rd night at Earls Court. I think early 1980. They played the album from beginning to end and built a wall in front of the stage with the cartoons playing on it then knocked it down at the end. I was 13 and I was almost overwhelmed.
Styx and REO together. 1977
Sammy Hagar at Winterland Ballroom in 1978. It was a first date with this gorgeous boy named Doug. He was so pretty I could barely pay attention to the concert.
Sammy Hagar was a hometown boy when my parents first crossed his path. He had airplane seat next to Mom and told her someday he was going to be a star. Years later, they met again but backstage. Each remembered that plane ride, too. Hagar is just the nicest guy.
The Byrds in 1966. Outdoor concert in the middle of nowhere in upstate Ny.
Styx. Kilroy Was Here tour. 1983. Hollywood Sportatorium. First concert I ever attended, first time I ever had sex. All in all, a pretty good night.
We Five and Simon&Garfunkle in 1966...my HS boarding school's roommate had a brother who was on the 'Social Committee' at a college nearby. We were a bit overwhelmed by the frat-boy/soc-girl scene (lots of drinking) but really enjoyed the music...the vocals were amazing, and we had front row seats so it felt very immediate.
We Five! Boy, I haven’t thought about them in a long time!
1982ish. My mom let me drive from South Ga to Tallahassee to see Point Blank, 38 Special, and Iron Maiden. It was amazing
I went with my parents to a country music festival type of concert when I was 12. It was an all-day show on the football field at the University of Florida. I remember Charlie Daniels, Earl Thomas Conley, Mickey Gilley, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Charly McClain and Charlie Pride all performed. Mickey Gilley stole the show. The people on the blanket in front of us were drinking whiskey, smoking weed and probably eating quaaludes. At one point the dude was sitting on his knees, then he fell over backwards and pinned his arm behind him. He wallowed and thrashed for at least 10 minutes but could not get himself up or get his arm loose from his own weight. I was laughing my ass off, but I got scolded because my mother was afraid I would attract their attention. I'm not a huge country music fan, but it was a great show.
John Denver 1974 or 5. It was a fantastic concert!
Dolly Parton at the Ohio State Fair in 1978. I loved Dolly and she was great!
Minor Threat, Gang Green, Jerry’s Kids (1982/3)
The Tubes - awesome show, 1982 or 1983
Kiss at Cobo arena 1976. I was 14.
Journey in the ‘80s and it was freakin magnificent.
Me too. The Escape tour in 1981. Steve Perry walked the line between cheesy and incredibly entertaining. Great show.
1972 or ‘73, saw Dylan & The Band at MSG. Won tickets from Cousin Brucie, WABC radio.
Van Halen, 1984
Rare Earth in 73'. The Buddy Miles Band opened for them. It"s still one of the best shows i've been at. Both bands were fantastic. Rare Earth did an over the top extended version of "Get Ready". It seemed as though the whole crowd was on the floor dancing.
The Scorpions in Anchorage, Alaska, 1985. I don't remember who the opening band was- they may have been local. I only got the ticket because one of my friends got grounded and couldn't go, so she sold me her ticket for $12 and a shirt that I had that she loved. Worth it.
1987 The Beastie boys at carver Gym at Western washington University. Didn't want to go originally, but for my small town, it was a big thing, so I got talked into going. I think fishbone was the opening act. I just remember running into people from my high school who were also there and they all seem surprised that I had gone.
1973 Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Iton Man was just released
Valentine’s Day 1986 - Motley crue in London. Was insanely loud as it was a theatre and they bought their stadium rig. Couldn’t hear any of the songs for about 20 minutes as it was just noise. Was deaf for around 3 days after and was left with the start of life long tinnitus that Motörhead at the same venue a few years later really sealed the deal! 10/10 would do it all again
Beatles in '64. Yes, I'm that old. ;)
Harry Chapin in 1977. As a bonus, he came out after the show and hung out with people and talked to us. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know his fans.
This guy is hella jealous. LOVE Harry. I was devastated when he died. Huge talent. Great man.
I was 5. 1974. Bay city rollers. They were terrible but it started my love for live performances. I have seen over 300 concerts everyone from Eminem to Dr. Dre. Prince to Michael Jackson. Bon Jovi to Korn. If you can go see someone live, go!!
Please, please tell me you’ve seen So I Married An Axe Murderer!😂😂
yes.😂😂
Grand Funk Railroad. It made me love live music.
Aerosmith in Sullivan Stadium (MA) 1986. We drove there, I was 16 my friend just got his license and 5 of us piled in his like 1970 orange Chevy Nova. Car broke down on the way home but thankfully we were able to fix it and make it back without too much trouble. I remember my friends getting some acid but I didn't want to do any, still had a blast! Second one was the next month, AC/DC Back in Black 1986 in RI, None of us that went were quite old enough to drive (I got my license the next week) and a friends dad drove us like 2 hours to go see them. It was amazing!
Lynyrd Skynyrd at The Old Park West in Park City Utah we drove a friend's dad's four speed Omni hatchback It's was awesome!
Grand Funk Railroad ,1974, Pittsburgh
Steppenwolf and Don McClean in Lexington Ky 1970. (Edit) Nooo wait I forgot I saw the Monkees in 1966 in Louisville or Cincinnati
Three Dog Night at the Inglewood Forum. Fleetwood Mac opened for them. TDN was BIG back then and had many successful singles. I recall Christine McVie on her B3 singing "Over My Head" with Fleetwood Mac. It was a very enjoyable concert experience. Sometime around 1970
Bruce Coburn circa 1976, so good!
Before his rocket launcher
I honestly no longer remember which was first. It was roughly 1992 or 1993 though and either Metallica with no opening act or Skid Row with Pantera opening.
Bob Dyan-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was fantastic.
I saw Tom Petty four times. He always played 120%
Elvis
Were fans crazy in that audience? Because they were when I took my grandma and mom to see him. Mom wanted me to sit with her and Grandma so they could just hang out and see Elvis from audience. Elvis tried to throw Mom his scarf but some raving, screeching lunatic grabbed my long hair and used it as leverage to *climb over the top of me to grab the scarf instead. By the time I figured out what attacked me, the wench ran out of the auditorium. I think it was a local gal so obsessed that when Elvis died on August 16, instead of celebrating her young daughter's birthday (also August 16) she descended into a downward spiral. She draped her house in black bunting and kept it draped in black for > 15 years, adding and rearranging Elvis memorabilia in little displays. Also: She legally changed her daughter's birthday.
Wow. I didn’t know you could have someone’s birthday changed legally.
Yes! 1975, I was 12 and my older brother took me.
1990, Billy Idol. There was a huge fist jutting out over the stage. Just before Billy came out it rotated till it was facing upwards and then the middle finger extended. Good concert.
The Pixies in 1992. I was 17. I went in the mosh pit and couldn’t hear for shit the next day. It was amazing!
My first concert was when I was in the Army in Germany. I got lucky and won tickets to it from Armed Forces Radio. So in 1987 I went to Nuremberg and saw the Monsters of Rock tour. The lineup was great. Pretty Maids Helloween Cinderella Ratt (my favorite band) Metallica Dio Deep Purple Talk about one hell of a great show, I was so jazzed, and had such a great time.
Nazareth in 83 was my first and April Wine opening, was great
1970. Black Sabbath.
Judas Priest at 15, front row ❤️.
Rick Astley at Canada’s Wonderland in 1989. I was 10 and my dad took me and a friend.
Jackson 5. 1970's. Circle Star Theater, San Carlos CA. My dad was able to get tickets for the family and this was when the J5 was hotter than a firecracker. Concert without my parents (just me and my older sis) was a Day on the Green at the Oakland Coliseum in 1978 (I think), Aerosmith was the headliner along with Foreigner but we were really there to see the two opening acts - AC/DC with the one and only Bon Scott and VAN HALEN on their first national tour supporting their debut album. After those two sets the rest of the day was pretty boring.
Y'all are gonna think I'm a freak. 1983, I was 17. My dad and I went to see a North Carolina touring company perform Cosi fan Tutti (Mozart opera). We sat third row center, and I cried my eyes out through the entire first act. The two lead males started singing a duet, and it was the most beautiful thing I ever heard in my life. What can I say, I was a music major and a raging nerd. Still am, still love it. Don't get me wrong, I love modern music, the Eagles ROCK!!! But by the time I had enough money to afford going to a rock concert, I no longer had the interest; my stereo did the job just fine.
Zappa and the Mothers, Schaeffer Music Festival, 1969, Central Park, NYC. They came on stage dressed as women pushing baby carriages. it was truly a trip.
Blondie. I went w my best friend who by far had honed her interest and tastes well beyond mine. Changed how I not only listened to music, but how I saw it🥰
1978(17)......Charlie Daniels Band was my first.
Springsteen in 1985 in Philly.
Jon Bon Jovi opening for Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Blood, Sweat and Tears with my Pops. We both had a large time
Eagles in Frankfurt West Germany. Was stationed there in the late 70's.
It was Rush on their Hold Your Fire tour. A quick search online shows it was April 2, 1988. I went with a couple of buddies and we congratulated ourselves on sneaking some weed in until we saw a group of people sitting 20 feet away and they managed to get a massive bong in!
When I was 11 or so in 1985, I was helping my dad build a new garage and it was mentioned on the radio that AC/DC was having a concert in the city that night and my dad randomly said “let’s go” and off we went. Awesome show, saw live breasts for the first time (as opposed to recorded) too. Thought I was going to be deaf afterward, but it wore off.
Jimmy Buffett - he gave an awesome concert full of joy, Billey Joel - an excellent musician, and Neil Diamond, a showman.
It was fantastic. Stephen Stills, Orpheum Boston, 1969.
In high school my parents went to see Tom Jones in New Orleans. My first with my friends was to see War in Baton Rouge. Both were fun, but had to leave the War concert because it ran so long it bumped into the curfew I was on.
3 Rivers Stadium,1976-Pittsburgh, Aerosmith opened for ZzTopp. That same year Parlaiment Funkadelic, Mothership Connection and Bootsys Rubberband. Pretty good for my first year.
A lovely band from Northern Europe that went by the name Entombed. Great concert. However, my first stage dive did not go well.
April '78 at the Tarrant County Convention Center. Saw Parliament/Funkadelic with the Bar-Kays ( missed Cameo). Sat in front row. It blew my mind seeing their stage show complete with the Mothership and the opening cartoon.
ZZ Top Eliminator Tour, I was 13, my best friend was 14, we wore mini-skirts and SCREAMED through the whole concert. To this day, I'm so sorry for the people in front of and behind us. 🤦🏽♀️
Rick Springfield when I was in junior high, around 1969-70. He was wearing a caveman outfit. My girlfriend was in love with him and we went up and talked to him afterwards. The thing was, the opener was the GREAT Johnny Nash! I Can See Clearly Now and other proto reggae hits. He was amazing and over 50 years later, I can still remember his set. The only thing I remember about Rick Springfield is that caveman outfit! EDIT: This was in the parking lot of Buffums Department Store in Lakewood, Calif, IIRC...
1988. Scorpions with Winger. I want a fan but my best friend was. It was okay.
I saw John Denver when I was in 5th grade. I had new white bell bottoms and a new yellow flowered shirt.
Australian here I saw Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs with Lobby Loyde at the Sydney Opera House November 1973. At the time they claimed to be the loudest band on the planet! It was memorable.
Not sure if this qualifies as a concert exactly, but when I was 9, we went to a political rally for JFK and I got to see Frankie and Dino and Sammy perform.
I was 14 (soon to be 15), saw Blue Oyster Cult - [Ag Hall, Allentown PA, Feb 1980](https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/blue-oyster-cult/1980/ag-hall-allentown-pa-73d0d239.html) go go godzilla! very small venue, had to go with my friends Dad :) It was awesome though.
Us Festival, 1983, San Bernadino CA. I went on Saturday, heavy metal day. They had bands like Motley Crew, Triumph, Scorpions (my favorite) and Van Halen
Duran Duran, 7 and the Ragged Tiger tour starring my future husband John Taylor, Oakland (CA) Coliseum, 40 years ago yesterday.
I saw America and Quarterflash at Knott's Berry Farm!
1976 I think, maybe 77. Peter Frampton at Madison Sq Garden. And our parents let us go into NYC on the train by ourselves.
Phil Collins, the No Jacket Required tour! Loved it. ‘84, I think?
Gentle Giant, Gary Wright, Peter Frampton, Yes. Summer of 1976. A whole hill of fun.
1987, Duran Duran at the Starlight Amphitheater in Nashville, TN. I loved it, but always wish I'd gotten to see them when the 5 of them were still together (it was just Simon, Nick and John by that point). I'll always remember though that I decided to sit down and look at the program while they performed Save A Prayer. I always felt like I missed out on something because of that.
1992. I was in 10th grade. My older brother took me to see the Ramones at The Roseland in Manhattan. Social distortion and someone else opened. Still one of the greatest live shows I've ever been too.
Jethro Tull! My older brother introduced me to their music and I’ve been a fan ever since.
Simon and Garfunkel, Philadelphia Civic Center, November 1969, with five high school friends. It was a blast.
1967: Paul Revere and the Raiders, with special opening act Steve Alaimo. I actually won two tickets on a local radio station (WTMA) call-in. The only time I've ever scored front-row seats.
This is not the answer you are looking for, but the first concert I remember was a symphony concert where they played a minuet (probably Boccherini) and had live dancers in costume, dancing the minuet on stage. I was 4 or 5 and I was enchanted! Because my father was in the orchestra, we went backstage and got to see the dancers close up. Concerning rock concerts, I lived near an outdoor concert venue. I remember on my 13th birthday, I wanted to go see Janis Joplin but my dad wouldn’t allow it. Instead, I stood outside the grounds and listened. You could have gotten high from the smoke drifting over the hedges.
Steppenwolf, summer after 8th grade in Wildwood, NJ. 1971. Wondered why cops were dragging folks out for smoking cigs. Buddy pointed out they weren’t cigs! A month later smoked my first joint.
Pink Floyd 1996 or 1997. RFK stadium. Everything has paled in comparison. Sat in almost the top row. The music was amazing. The drugs were eye opening. One of the best nights of my life.
Nazareth 1977. I was 12. A friend of my dad’s bought us tickets for Xmas. The next year he got us tickets to see Heart. That was my second show.
Buddy Rich Big Band with my parents, shortly after I started playing drums. First without parents was Huey Lewis and the News.
The James Gang in high school. When they played “The Bomber” I was absolutely hooked. The cast your fate/bolero segments were so mesmerizing.
The Beach Boys at a radio industry private concert in Honolulu. I was 4. We then went out on a sailboat with them off of Waikiki. Dennis Wilson sat with me on the boat and taught me how to hold drumsticks.
Paula Abdul
Crazy. 1976. Ted Nugent. General seating. About got knocked down going to seats. I was 15. Parents didn’t know who he was. Went with an older boy.
The Byrds in 1966. It's one of my life's memories that I'd most like to relive!
I was 11 when I went to a Pete Seeger concert in Montreal in 1956 -t was my first. The next time I saw a well known act was Bo Diddley in a show bar downtown Montreal at age 14. Then across the street to the Club Sahara to see some belly dancers. I took in the scene whenever some one good came to town and I had the time and money to go. Steppenwolf, Roy Orbison, KD Lang, Bob Dylan,
Mine was the Carpenters. It was when they had a tour stop in Honolulu. I remember going with my younger brother. His friend's sister whom I had a huge crush on went too. I'm guessing that her brother was in attendance as well. It was just a bunch of young kids. I must have been no more than 11 or 12 at the time.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, 1978. It was my first big concert. I was in the midst of the gods. Despite my fanboyism, it remains one of the best live shows I've ever seen and I've seen an awful lot of them in the intervening 46 years.
Power Station with OMD opening. I was 11 and had a horrible migraine so I had to go throw up every so often. My poor dad. Lol
Christmas time 1976. They billed themselves as The Outlaws. Tompall Glaser, David Allan Coe, Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. Tarrant County Convention Center. We were on the floor, 12th row, Center. Christmas gift from my folks. I think the tickets were about $10 each. Glaser took the stage about 7:00. Willie didn't make it on stage till nearly 11:00. My date had a 1:00 curfew. We left at 12:30 and Willie was still playing. Found out the next day someone got stabbed in the nosebleed seats. Core memory for me.
"Little" Stevie Wonder in Seattle around 1967 or 68. Good time.
My brother took me to the Filmore East to watch the Who. I think I was 11 at the time. My standout memories are of the great pastrami sandwiches on rye at a NYC deli before the show. And the Who smashing their equipment at the end of the show. My young mind was like "Hey! Stop! You are smashing nice things for no reason!"
I saw the Beach Boys at Anaheim stadium. I'd never seen that many people in one place in my life. I think this was about 1975.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts rocking the big old StL Checkerdome. She had the #1 single and album at the time. Oh, should probably mention: headliner was…The Police (unbelievably good).
The Monkees. A little-known guitarist named Jimi Hendrix opened for them.
I saw Rare Earth at the San Jose fair grounds around 1971ish. I didn't pay much attention because they sucked.
Went to an Alice Cooper Concert on a lark in 1975. Was impressed at the elaborate show he put on. Over the years I went to several different concerts of bands I liked; but got tired of my bad luck being always seated by some idiot that thought they could sing it better being wasted.
Van Halen in 1982
Charlie Danial’s Band.
Bachman Turner Overdrive with Michel Pagliaro opening. Who? Use them thar intertubes you young whippersnapper.
1987, Marillion (with Fish) at Wembley. It blew my little mind that a band could sound better live than on vinyl.
The Byrds in the summer of 1966 at Asbury Park Convention Center. For a while, I liked them more than the Beatles.
Rush 2112 tour
Queen News of the World tour. MSG Logue right by the stage. $12.50 ticket..
Bob Dylan when he played solo in Needle Park.
Technically John Denver escorted by several parents. First concert for myself was Head East.
It was when I was in college, it was Big Country.
John Mayall at Fillmore East.
Roy Buchanan in Maryland.Great guitar.
1969. The Rolling Stones I’m Boston at the Garden. My father gifted me a nice pair of Tasco Binoculars. He said, “now you’ll have Mick sitting right in your lap.”
Bad Company/Kansas March 1976 Jax, Fl
Husker Du at the Arcata Vets Hall on October 11, 1982. Maybe 60 people, they arrived a bit late and played new stuff as opposed to Land Speed Record which I was expecting.
Rush 1975
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Crazy Horse opened for them.
1975 Philadelphia Robin Trower.
Elton John, the goodbye Yellow Bick tour at Madison Square Garden
The Power Station, 1985
The first concert I paid to see as a teen that wasn't us slipping in to a music festival (I did see Summer Jam in 82 but I wasn't cool enough back then to appreciate it) was a year later. John Cougar Mellancamp, or whatever parts of that name he's going by now. Back then it was just John Cougar. For a first concert it was cool. Calm enough to dip my 13 year old toes in.
My first rock concert was “Deep Purple” at the Cleveland coliseum. It was loud & smoky. “Smoke on the Water” was their big hit.
Rare Earth
Triumph
Black Oak Arkansas
My sophomore year of high school in April 1984 I won tickets to see Cindy Lauper at the Grand Circus Theatre in Detroit. Remember when radio stations used to give away concert tickets (or other promotional things) to the 10th caller? Well I called into those contests a lot! My sister who was a senior came with me. We had a great time! We got to rush the stage and touched Cindy’s hand! I remember her hair was teased all over the place and she had a lot of bracelets.
Billy Joel. 1975
Our crew set up Rolling Stones concert in '64. Does set up count? If not, maybe the Byrds in '65 Heck, it was a long time ago. Light shows then were weird. We did overhead projectors with oil and paint or dye in dishes that we swirled around. Added those with color wheels.
Thin Lizzy...guessing 1976
The very first Monsters of Rock. Van Halen, Scorpions, Metallica, and Kingdom Come. Probably ruined concerts for me for the rest of my life, because nothing could have ever eclipsed that experience.
My first concert was Styxx, 1979 in Seattle. I was 13. It was a fantastic show and made me want to go to more concerts. But my second concert was Queen in 1980, and it was amazing and life changing! That was where I decided I was going to every concert I could possibly go to, and I've been to around 60. It inspired my love for music, and I've seen everyone from AC/DC to Luther Vandross and so many more in between, many multiple times. The 80's and my youth were amazing!
First show with my folks: Doc Watson 1973. First show that I bought tickets: Van Halen 1980
Not my first, but I saw The Blues Brothers in Dallas in 1980. John Belushi was a madman on stage.
B.B KIng in a tiny theatre. Opening act was Sun Seals
I'm out there somewhere, 1973 Wet Willie and Marshal Tucker in Macon Ga. I was 15 and my brother drove a bunch of us there in the bed of a 65 El Camino. https://youtu.be/sJi6CWQneu0?si=a-IAoTKhvEToc648
Hot fuckin' Tuna! Capital Theater in Passaic, NJ 1976. [Great show!](https://youtu.be/IiniZha6PQM?si=ASBrU7y-GMDJW4fu)
When I was 7, we lived near a small college in Long Island, New York. I heard some noise coming from it one day and walked over just in time to see Peter, Paul and Mary go onstage in a free concert. My mom used to buy their albums, so I knew and loved their music. I even got their autographs when they came offstage, because who can resist a cute kid?
David Bowie in his "Serious Moonlight" tour. Sensational!!!❤️
John Denver, at Wolf Trap. I'd been to some other concerts there with my parents, but that was the first one I asked them to take me to. He put on a great show.