What was your first concert?

[nerudite]

Ok... music has come up in a few posts (most recently in a hijacked thread in the Introduce Yourself board)... so I'm going to go ahead and pose the question, "What was the first live concert you attended?"

I find the difference in all of our backgrounds really fascinating, so let your little musical skeletons come out of the closet...

My first concert was Tom Jones. My brother (6) and I (9) were dragged to go see him with my mom and dad. At the time we weren't impressed... although I'm sure I'd dig it now just for the cheese factor.

My first solo concert was when I was 14 and I went to go see the Weather Girls opening for a Flock of Seagulls, opening for the Thompson Twins at the Hollywood Bowl. Now if that doesn't date me, nothing will

 

[Chet]

The Kinks 1984

They played the Milwaukee Auditorium. I was 15 and broke curfew that night. I thought I was soooo cool.

 

[Tranplanner]

My first non-Raffi concert was the Northern Pikes opening up for Luba in 1987 at Ontario Place Forum.

 

[el Guapo]

God Bless America.

My dad forbid me to go to the Journey Concert (1980 Album Escape) because they had long hair and looked like druggies. But he did let me go to ZZ Top because he thought they were a nice country-rock band.

I learned much of life that day. I smelt my my first spliff and talked to the first hooker I had ever seen. I learned that puke can fly long distances and that people sometimes act in self destructive ways. Priceless

 

[Repo Man]

The Beach Boys

My first concert was in grade school. I went to see the Beach Boys at the Wisconsin State Fair. It was awesome.

My first concert that I got to go to alone was Pink Floyd at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. I think it was 1987. It was my first exposure to marijuana too. I didn't try any, but I was shocked to see so many people openly smoking pot. I guess I was young and naive.

My most memorable concert was Henry Rollins at Shank Hall in Milwaukee. My friends Datsun got his front windshield smashed in (and his tape player and tapes stolen). We had to drive 30 miles home in below-freezing temps. with no windshield.

 

[Cardinal]

My first "independent" concert was the Doobie Brothers farewell tour (first one) at Chicago Fest. I think it was 1983? I was in high school at the time. A small riot broke out behind our seats and about thirty of Chicago's finest (known for their gentle persuasiveness) stormed the crowd with clubs drawn.

 

[Floridays]

I guess I started at a young age (concert-going, that is!) When I was 14 years old, I went with my "boyfriend" (Russell) to a Head East concert. I knew absolutely NOTHING about their music but thought that Russell was the cat's meow. Obviously my parents thought otherwise...in fact, they still don't agree with my taste in music or men!

 

[Planimal]

This is embarrassing, but my first concert when I was a kid was Captain and Tenille...
I think my first concert on my own was Neil Young, when I was in high school, and that was very cool.

 

[Tranplanner]

in fact, they still don't agree with my taste in music or men!

You must now spill the beans in the "who do planners date?" section.

 

[el Guapo]

My Best Concert

INXS in a small theater in Mannheim FRG -1988. Close, loud and great music.

Worst Concert Ever!
I was forced to see the "You light up my life" singer - who ever the fu$# she was back in 1978 or 9. Dee Dee something. One really sucky song - played three times. It was filled with teenage girls with their moms. I was the only straight male 7th grader there.

Mom; "Chris we all went to your concert (at school - not a real concert), now you are just going to have to be polite and go with your sister (age 9) to hers." Thanks MOM!

This is still traumatic.

 

[BKM]

My first concert was Black Sabbath (Ronnie James Dio era) and Blue Oyster Cult. The 20-foot tall Godzilla was pretty cool, but my ears rang for three days.

The best concerts I've seen have been the two San Francisco shows by the New York Noise/Doom Art-Rock Band "The Swans." A great example of a band with good albums but INCREDIBLE live shows. I still don't understand how they created such an incredible wall of sound. The Legendary Pink Dots show in SF last year was also pretty incredible. I know, I have weird tastes in music

 

[NHPlanner]

Aerosmith, Boston Garden, winter of 1987. I was too young to really appreciate it....knowing now that this was right before the band members started cleaning themselves up. I'll never get the image of 10,000 lighters in the air during "Dream On" though.

My favorite concerts...shows where my musical tastes are...all over the map...

Ozzfest @ Riverfront Coleseum in Cincy (1996) with a lineup of Sepultura, Biohazard, Danzig, and Ozzy.

White Zombie @ the Egyptian Room of the Murat Theatre in Indy (1995) - 1000 people, huge mosh pit, Prong opening up for them.

Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Deer Creek (Noblesville, IN) in 1997. Hank Williams Jr. opening. Never seen so many confederate flags in one place in my life.

The Misfits - Avalon, Boston in 1996. Small show by my fav. punk band ever....though minus their best front man....

 

[donk]

First concert of note, John Prine at the Ontario Place Forum. it was about 1981. Went with my parents.

Concerts of note I have seen

The Cramps-Lux Interior beat the hell out of a guy that got up on stage. (Concert Hall TO-1988/89)

Lou Reed- Kingswood - New York Tour - made fun of the Cowboy Junkies. Stopped the show for the lunar eclipse.

Ramones - 5 or 6 times at RPM and other clubs. Bikers, weird drugs in the air and fun.

The Rolling Stones - Steel wheels, the first time through TO I got stiffed by my friends for a ticket. I showed them on the return engagement me and another friend camped out for 4 days and ended up with second row centre seats.

The Who. 25 anniversary tour. Great as they were the first band I really liked on my own.

Pearl Jam/Smashing Pumpkins/Red Hot Chilli Peppers - at detroit state theatre, right before versus broke for PJ. $20 buck. A few of the memories include the biggest bouncer I have ever seen (the size of the door) and coming out of the show and having the police there to escort us poor unsuspecting people out of downtown detroit at 2:00 am.

The Tragically HIp in Toledo. The Detroit show sold out so everyone went to this little bar in Toledo. The bar was an old movie theatre. The floor filled to my knees with beer cans. Once again getting let out into a neighbourhood the locals don't go to after dark.

I miss civilization for the concerts.

 

[BKM]

Damn, NH PLanner- Another metal head with a college degree!

Your True Metal is not nearly as pretentious as mine, though. Nothing beats European doom metal!

 

[PlannerGirl]

Lets see i was 12, it was 1985 and i was about to head to Panama' for 3 years.

Went to June Jam in Ft Payne Alabama to see the boys from Bama play

went with my dad and we had a great time camping out in line and bonding.

 

[Repo Man]

In response to NHPlanner:

ohhhh the Misfits without Glen Danzig is just plain wrong!! It is like CCR without Fogerty, Judas Priest with out Rob Halford, Van Halen without David Lee Roth, the Dead Kennedys without Jello, Sepultura without Max Cavalerra.....oh you get the point!

 

[NHPlanner]

ohhhh the Misfits without Glen Danzig is just plain wrong!! It is like CCR without Fogerty, Judas Priest with out Rob Halford, Van Halen without David Lee Roth, the Dead Kennedys without Jello, Sepultura without Max Cavalerra.....oh you get the point!

Couldn't agree with you more! The 'fits show was still great....but it just didn't seem right not having Glenn wailing out classics like "Die, Die, My Darling," "Teenagers from Mars," or "Mommy...Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight."

I'm so much of a 'fits fan....this is my license plate....

 

[giff57]

I went with my "boyfriend" (Russell) to a Head East concert.

Yeah Head East, It was about 1980 or 81. Famous Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Iowa.

Save my life I'm goin down for the last time......

 

[nerudite]

Wow... we are all over the map!

I talked about my first concert, but never my *best* concert. Which was Pearl Jam/Nirvana/Red Hot Chili Peppers (in that order on the playlist). It was a New Year's Eve bash in San Francisco in (eek) 1991.

My favorite place to see music is in this small venue in Portland called the Roseland Theatre. The acoustics aren't that great, but I like the setup. I have seen many awesome bands there like Placebo, No Doubt, Cake, the Pietasters, Reel Big Fish, Our Lady Peace, and a ton of others. Even though I live in Alberta, I still monitor new shows at the Roseland through pollstar.com, just in case something really good comes up and I want to fly home to uh... visit my friends.... uh yeah

 

[Mastiff]

First one - KISS (Alive Tour) The folks didn't realize going to a concert with "church kids" would involve breathing fire and spitting blood.

Next one - Ted Nugent (I think it was Intensities in Ten Cities Tour)

Most drunken one - AC/DC (Back in Black - Although I saw them open for Queen once) I've never touched MD 20/20 again.

Some of the Best:

Stones - Start me up
The Who - The End
Genesis - Several different ones
Pink Floyd - Dark Side & The Wall
Matchbox 20 - (Very small venue)
Grateful Dead - The ones I remember

Oh, and Pat Metheny... in a ballroom with 20 other people.

I had a good friend head up security at the Spectrum in Philly, and went to just about any concert with a backstage pass.

 

[Mastiff]

Erm...

And then there was this thing called "Live Aid"... It kind of rocked, too.

 

[Repo Man]

Couldn't agree with you more! The 'fits show was still great....but it just didn't seem right not having Glenn wailing out classics like "Die, Die, My Darling," "Teenagers from Mars," or "Mommy...Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight."

I'm so much of a 'fits fan....this is my license plate....

Damn, you are a huge fan!

Other possible Misfit icense plates:

20EYES
ASTRZMB
HORRBIZ
BRNEATR

 

[Cardinal]

My best would probably have to be a combo, the Beach Boys and Chicago at Alpine Valley. (The Grateful Dead are coming there this weekend. The county had killed it, but then re-thought it and allowed it to continue.)

Nowadays I don't bother with most of the big acts. I like to take in regional bands at one of a few local venues.

 

[poncho]

First would be Prince in 84, truely an eye opener, best would be a tie, Meat Puppets or the Nirvana, PJ and RHCP in Austin.

 

[Downtown]

First concert -
The year: 1986. A young sixth grade girl with stars in her eyes and a dream in her heart is taken to the NYS Fairgrounds to see *gasp* Whitney Houston in concert. Alas, the vagaries of CNY weather prevailed at it was rained out. Fortunately, a make up date was set for 2 months later, and that young girl's illusions were tragically dashes when Whitney didn't "sound anything like her record".

Best Concert -
The year: 1994. A college sophmore who has been hooked on the Barenaked Ladies by her Buffalo friends gets $10 tickets to see BNL play the hockey arena at SUNY Geneseo. She's thrilled by the New Kids style dancing, delights in the throwing of the Kraft Dinner, and a fan was born. Truly the best stage act I've ever seen. Unfortunately, they've gotten too big and all their concerts are attended by drunken 15 year olds now. sigh.

 

[El Feo]

First - Earth, Wind and Fire, 1981. Yeah, that's right.

Best (tie) - HFS Holiday Nutcracker & Tibetan Freedom Concerts, 1999 - Beck, Cake, Garbage, Beastie Boys, REM, Sonic Youth, Pearl Jam...

 

[jmf]

Until KMateja's post I was feeling a little outclassed. I don't think the Stones would even bother spitting on eastern Canada.

I really can't remember my first concert....I know I passed on Bryan Adams and on Billy Idol in high school...so the first one really wasn't until university probably Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip or Skydiggers when they were on the college circuit.

Best Concert(s): Blue Rodeo open air at university; The Waltons in a biker tavern; Barenaked Ladies open air (no particular order)

 

[Downtown]

What???? I'm the only one who had pictures of Debbie Gibson on the back of her door? Who could sing ever word on Tiffany's first record? Who couldn't decide which Corey she'd rather marry when she grew up? TexasPlanner? Plannergirl? Come on - where are the other children of the 80's?

 

[Cardinal]

First - Earth, Wind and Fire, 1981. Yeah, that's right.

Ooooh... now that would be good.

KMateja - we are trying to bring the Barenaked Ladies into this little burg next season.

 

[nerudite]

I was a preteen/teen of the 80s, but I think I was too young for the Coreys or Tiffany. I was more into Ralph Macchio (sp?) and C. Thomas Howell at the time (gag!). My biggest crush was a skateboarder named Lance Mountain. Hmmm... come to think of it, I still have a crush on him. So at least my taste hasn't changed with some things!

 

[NHPlanner]

Come on - where are the other children of the 80's?

As a child of the 80's (from age 7 to 17) I was listening to Huey Lewis and the News, The Cars, Van Halen, Public Enemy, INXS, Men at Work, Dire Straits, and Genesis.

By the early 90's I had discovered punk and metal...and lots of oher things.

 

[Downtown]

My favorite version of "Jump" was the one Kids Incorporated (K-I-D-S KIDS!) did. hee. ah, the auspicious beginning for such entertainment luminaries as Martika, who went on to become a one hit wonder with "Toy Soldiers" and Mario Lopes, TV's A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell.

Christ, I'm a dork.

 

[Chet]

'802 Big Rewind Tours

A spate of retro reunion tours have been through town in the past few years.

I saw one show that was Howard Jones, Human League, and Culture Club.

Another was Gene Loves Jezebel, Flock of Seagulls, and Missing Persons.

Funniest concert moment: Poe opened for Depeche Mode a few years ago and she was whirling like a dervish and took a header into the orchestra pit.

 

[nerudite]

My favorite version of "Jump" was the one Kids Incorporated (K-I-D-S KIDS!) did.

LOL! Hey... the boy down the street where I grew up in L.A. was in Kids Incorporated. His name was Jason and he thought he was all that and a bag a chips. I wonder what he's doing now? hehehe.

 

[gkmo62u]

I saw Dave Matthews last night. exceptional.


First concert: 1981 Saratoga Performing Arts Center--Loverboy

Best Concert: tie: 1993 Toads Place in New Haven--The Clancy Brothers. Same year, same place-Iggy Pop.

Worst Concert: 1985 SPAC--The Cars. SoooooooBoring!

 

[perryair]

First one: Guns and Roses New Years Eve 1991.

Best one: Flying to Seattle to see the last show on Pearl Jam's tour in 2000, or seeing Nine Inch Nails at (then the Edge, now the Chili Pepper) in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale.

I saw Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth last night in West Palm. Now, the show was pretty rock and roll, but I think at some certain age, guys can't really pull off the rebel/sex machine/raging alcoholic thing anymore.

Last cool band that I discovered through a concert was Longwave. They opened up for the Strokes at Billboard live in South Beach. Awesome band.

anyways, back to work..

 

[Planderella]

The first concert I ever recall going to, without being accompanied by a family member, was New Edition and Bobby Brown.

Best concert ever - Stevie Wonder at the 1996 Essence Festival and Lenny Kravitz's concerts at the New Orleans Jazz Festival (2000 and 2002). (Good lawd that man is sexy!!!)

The Dave Matthews Band at the New Orleans Jazz Fest in 1999 rocked!!

 

[boiker]

dont i feel young

1996 Lollapalooza in Noblesville, IN

Psychotica, Rancid, Ramones, Soundgarden, Screeming Trees, Metallica

other's i've seen

1997 - smashing pumpkins
1997- 2000 - Megadeth, Faith no more, Limp Bizkit (regretting every moment), Helmet, Gravity Kills, SevenDust, Veruca Salt, Stabbing Westward, Korn, Fiona Apple, Bloodhound Gang, Local H, Violent Femmes, Pearl Jam,

2002 - Slipknot, System of a Down, American Head Charge, NoOne,

Want to see: Radiohead, Coldplay, Pink Floyd (if they'll tour again), 311,

 

[nerudite]

Re: dont i feel young

Want to see: Radiohead, Coldplay, Pink Floyd (if they'll tour again), 311,

Radiohead and Coldplay were good. I didn't like 311 live. Can't say anything about Pink Floyd...other than the various laserium shows were interesting (the parts I remember).

 

[jmf]

What???? I'm the only one who had pictures of Debbie Gibson on the back of her door? Who could sing ever word on Tiffany's first record? Who couldn't decide which Corey she'd rather marry when she grew up? TexasPlanner? Plannergirl? Come on - where are the other children of the 80's?

I was definitely a child of the 80s...funny though how you forget the Go Go's; Debby Gibson; Tiffany......I DO remember INXS; U2; the Police; Duran Duran.....

The mods may want to move this to a new thread but who do you want to see?

My list used to be:
1) Tina Turner;
2) U2; and
3) Barenaked Ladies but I saw them so not sure who I would put in...maybe Dave Matthews.

Oooh ... I saw Natalie Merchant at the Hummingbird in TO. She was amazing!

 

[Dan]

I'm not a big concert goer ... I cn't enjoy the music when it's TOO DAMN LOUD.

First concert ever, though ... The Firm, 1986, Rosemont Horizon in Chicago.

After that ... aside from local bands, there was Blue Oyster Cult, ELO, Kansas and The Moody Blues, all at smaller venues in Buffalo.

A couple of months ago, I was wandering around Epcot. (I've got an annual pass for all the Disney parks.) There was a band playing to a few hundred people underneath a bandshell. Sounded familiar ... hmmm ...

"findyourwaybaaack ... findyourwayback to her heaaart ..."

I thought "Hey, it's Starship. That's cool. Time to check out the Germany area."

Really sad ... a few months ago, I drove by a little bar out in the boonies past East Turdwater, Florida. There was a beat up portable sign in the dirt separating the shack from the road. The sign read "THURSDAY 9:00 MOLLY HATCH3T". Uhhh ... guys, maybe it's time to take the hint.

For live performances, I prefer blues, acoustic rock, and classical.

 

[JNL]

I feel young too Boiker! My first concert was 'Live' in 1996 which rocked! Has anyone heard of them? Or are you all too old? *ducks for cover* I think they're American.

 

[Runner]

Let's see,

Started out going to band concerts with the family down at the town wharf in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts when I was a we little one. Eventually concerts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra during programs for elementary or junior high students.

Finally, and I think that this was what was actually intended, the Beach Boys early in high school then Aerosmith in junior or senior year (almost 25 years ago...)

How's that for eclectic...

 

[Journeymouse]

First Concert
I don't remember it properly, but I went to a small concert with my youth club about 10 years ago - I can't even remember the name of the duo. But I do know they sang a very funny song about a tortoise hibernating and being used as a brick.

Best Concert
Wasn't really a concert - it was my graduation ball. Jools Holland played, and I am now a huge fan! He had (apparently) been drinking in the Student Union since 8pm when he turned up, talked to everyone and started playing around 9pm (an hour before he was scheduled to). He continued to play for an hour after he was scheduled to stop. Admittedly, he had the rest of the band and several singers with him (he's a piano player of big band/blues/jazz), but it was still very cool of him.

 

[Downtown]

Dan, I completely relate. Whenever we go to concerts in venues that have lawn seats, I get SOOOOO crabby whenever anyone stands up. At 5' 1.75" (had to get that 3/4 in!), I can't see anything, so end up muttering under my breath, much to my husband's hilarity "Jesus Christ. EVERYONE could see if we all sat down, people!"

And then there was the Dixie Chicks fiasco at the Pepsi Arena - it was too loud and the strobe lights gave me a migraine and i spent half the show heaving in the nasty, nasty restrooms - and i wasn't even drunk!

So now when we go see public music, it is almost always for Celtic Bands - I LOVE the audience participation and of course, all the beers! Here's my current favorite bands' website, with some samples, if anyone else likes irish beer drinking songs:

http://www.hair-of-the-dog.com/cds.htm

 

[Planderella]

Come on now. Where are the *N'SYNC fans????????? You know you're out there!!!!! Admit it, you just LOVE those boys. Justin is such a hottie!!!!!

 

[Chet]

The Jamesons

A great Milwaukee band, and just plain fun guys to boot. They're playing the Wisconsin State Fair tonight, and so is a really cool Styx tribute band. Cream Puffs, beer, live music. What more do you need (other than Journeymouse's pink furry handcuffs?)


http://www.thejamesons.net

not to be confused with

http://www.thejamesons.org

 

[Tranplanner]

Come on now. Where are the *N'SYNC fans????????? You know you're out there!!!!! Admit it, you just LOVE those boys. Justin is such a hottie!!!!!

Guy I used to work with gets dragged to every N'Sync, BSB, etc. concert that comes through town by his pre-teen niece.

Sucker!

 

[Chet]

Come on now. Where are the *N'SYNC fans????????? You know you're out there!!!!! Admit it, you just LOVE those boys. Justin is such a hottie!!!!!

OK, I don't much care for N'SYNC, 98 Degrees, etc.. but some boy bands in history have been ok - like the UK's Take That (which spawned Robbie Williams).

 

[Cardinal]

I saw Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth last night in West Palm. Now, the show was pretty rock and roll, but I think at some certain age, guys can't really pull off the rebel/sex machine/raging alcoholic thing anymore.

Isn't it still sadder to see some of the remnant bands of the sixties and seventies, who may have had one or two minor hits, still playing little town festivals?

BTO was featured on an episode of The Simpsons. I saw them a few years back at Wheelingfest. Pathetic.