I thought it might be a good idea to write about the greatest live concerts you have attended.
Over the years I have seen a large number of the great names in music perform live. The first great performance I saw was that of Roy Orbison. I had gone to see a new up and coming band called the Beatles (they were just about to have their first record, Love Me Do, released. The Beatles were at the bottom of the bill and were supporting Orbison, a singer who I did not know anything about. Orbison completely lacked charisma and was one of the few rock stars that you never wanted to be. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang songs such as Only the Lonely, Running Scared, Love Hurts and Crying. It was magical. The quality of his voice was truly amazing. So was his ability to convey raw emotion. At that time I had never experienced a broken love affair. Orbison obviously had and was able to communicate that to his audience. It was like reading a great book. I was taken into a world I knew nothing about.
I never bought any of Orbison’s records. At the time I was a terrible snob who was only willing to buy music performed by black Americans. However, that night, I knew I was in the company of a great artist. He died a long time ago (1988). However, when they play his music on the radio, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in recognition of that night I spent with him in Romford in the summer of 1962.
The other outstanding performance was by Don McLean. It was in London in 1973. A year after his great hit American Pie was released. In many ways McLean was very much like Orbison. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang his own songs. Like Orbison, he actually sounded better live than he did on record. However, it was not the quality of his voice that mattered. It was his ability to create a sense of community. McLean was very much a political singer (I believe he still is). Songs such as Sister Fatima, The Grave, Bronco Bill’s Lament, The Pride Parade, The More You Pay and Oh My What a Shame were spellbinding. The nearest I can compare it to was listening to a great orator. It was the ability to use words to create an emotional and political response from the audience. I never had the good fortune to hear Martin Luther King make a live speech. I imagine it would have had a similar impact on me as that Don Mclean concert.
Full Version: Greatest Live Performance
I have a long history of concert-going, beginning with Janis Joplin when it was just Big Brother and the Holding Company. I saw Hendrix when he was still with the Experience. Growing up in the SF Bay Area, the Fillmore was a regular weekly thing, with all the SF bands: Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Santana, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and especially Country Joe and the Fish. In the early seventies, there was Elton John, Eric Clapton, George Harrison (with Ravi Shankar mixed with Tom Scott and the L.A. Express), Cat Stevens, always Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, in their many varying configurations. I saw the Rolling Stones at Altamont, and numerous times since. Yes has always and many times live, been a favorite. Most recently, the Paul McCartney tour opened in Oakland and was a very moving event. But the best show ever, trying to name just one, was Genesis during Peter Gabriel's last tour with them, performing "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" in Berkeley.
Tim
Tim
My taste is a bit different but I am really glad that even living here in Tasmania I have manged to see Pavarotti twice, Domingo once, Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Joan Sutherland many times at the Sydney Opera House. Now, there's a venue - on a summer's night, with a glass of champagne, looking out over the harbour - can't beat it. On my travels through the UK and Europe I've been to most of the big opera houses, but Sydney has an atmosphere all of its own.
The other thing I've enjoyed immensely is two Proms concerts at the Albert Hall, complete with flags, whistles and plastic tiara. Loved it!!
The other thing I've enjoyed immensely is two Proms concerts at the Albert Hall, complete with flags, whistles and plastic tiara. Loved it!!
I saw so many great performers as a kid in all sorsts of contexts. When I was very small (late fifties, early sixties) variety shows were still popular and my parents would take me to see their favourite artistsat the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre. We didn't have baby sitters in those days so I would be plonked in a seat and fall asleep through sheer tiredness and boredom. Some acts I do remeber though- lots of singers and musicians (eg David Whitfield, Ruby Murray, Eddie Calvert- "who?" I hear you say). My favourites though were always the comedians. I saw just about everyone, but my two favoutrites were Ken Dodd because he worked so hard for his laughs and Tommy Cooper because he did nothing ant it was funny. I still love comedians to this day.
Later it was rock music at Birmingham Town Hall or the Odeon. The first perfomer I ever saw was a young lad called Little Stevie Wonder. He topped the bill in a show with about five acts- and all for fifteen bob! The best I saw? Johnny Winter, The Nice, John Mayall, Fairport Convention, Ten Years After all the bands of the period really, the late sixties, early seventies a fantastic time for music.
If I can add theatre to the list, my abiding passion is for Shakespeare, especially Shakespeare at Startford. There I've seen some truly outstanding stuff. Perhaps for me the most moving was Robert Stephens, after years in the wilderness returning to triumph in "King Lear". I was so moved by his performance I waited at the stage door after the show just to tell him how brilliant he was. I shook his hand, he was very touched and said it was an honour and then he shuffled off into the night accompanied by his young frail female assistant, as though Lear and Cordelia were continuing their journey together in the shadowy Stratford streets. A couple of weeks later he was dead. I remember reading his obituary and thinking I was glad I'd told him how great he was.
Later it was rock music at Birmingham Town Hall or the Odeon. The first perfomer I ever saw was a young lad called Little Stevie Wonder. He topped the bill in a show with about five acts- and all for fifteen bob! The best I saw? Johnny Winter, The Nice, John Mayall, Fairport Convention, Ten Years After all the bands of the period really, the late sixties, early seventies a fantastic time for music.
If I can add theatre to the list, my abiding passion is for Shakespeare, especially Shakespeare at Startford. There I've seen some truly outstanding stuff. Perhaps for me the most moving was Robert Stephens, after years in the wilderness returning to triumph in "King Lear". I was so moved by his performance I waited at the stage door after the show just to tell him how brilliant he was. I shook his hand, he was very touched and said it was an honour and then he shuffled off into the night accompanied by his young frail female assistant, as though Lear and Cordelia were continuing their journey together in the shadowy Stratford streets. A couple of weeks later he was dead. I remember reading his obituary and thinking I was glad I'd told him how great he was.
QUOTE (Les Albiston @ Dec 22 2004, 05:43 PM)
I saw so many great performers as a kid in all sorsts of contexts. When I was very small (late fifties, early sixties) variety shows were still popular and my parents would take me to see their favourite artistsat the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre. We didn't have baby sitters in those days so I would be plonked in a seat and fall asleep through sheer tiredness and boredom. Some acts I do remeber though- lots of singers and musicians (eg David Whitfield, Ruby Murray, Eddie Calvert- "who?" I hear you say). My favourites though were always the comedians. I saw just about everyone, but my two favoutrites were Ken Dodd because he worked so hard for his laughs and Tommy Cooper because he did nothing ant it was funny. I still love comedians to this day.
Later it was rock music at Birmingham Town Hall or the Odeon. The first perfomer I ever saw was a young lad called Little Stevie Wonder. He topped the bill in a show with about five acts- and all for fifteen bob! The best I saw? Johnny Winter, The Nice, John Mayall, Fairport Convention, Ten Years After all the bands of the period really, the late sixties, early seventies a fantastic time for music.
If I can add theatre to the list, my abiding passion is for Shakespeare, especially Shakespeare at Startford. There I've seen some truly outstanding stuff. Perhaps for me the most moving was Robert Stephens, after years in the wilderness returning to triumph in "King Lear". I was so moved by his performance I waited at the stage door after the show just to tell him how brilliant he was. I shook his hand, he was very touched and said it was an honour and then he shuffled off into the night accompanied by his young frail female assistant, as though Lear and Cordelia were continuing their journey together in the shadowy Stratford streets. A couple of weeks later he was dead. I remember reading his obituary and thinking I was glad I'd told him how great he was.
Later it was rock music at Birmingham Town Hall or the Odeon. The first perfomer I ever saw was a young lad called Little Stevie Wonder. He topped the bill in a show with about five acts- and all for fifteen bob! The best I saw? Johnny Winter, The Nice, John Mayall, Fairport Convention, Ten Years After all the bands of the period really, the late sixties, early seventies a fantastic time for music.
If I can add theatre to the list, my abiding passion is for Shakespeare, especially Shakespeare at Startford. There I've seen some truly outstanding stuff. Perhaps for me the most moving was Robert Stephens, after years in the wilderness returning to triumph in "King Lear". I was so moved by his performance I waited at the stage door after the show just to tell him how brilliant he was. I shook his hand, he was very touched and said it was an honour and then he shuffled off into the night accompanied by his young frail female assistant, as though Lear and Cordelia were continuing their journey together in the shadowy Stratford streets. A couple of weeks later he was dead. I remember reading his obituary and thinking I was glad I'd told him how great he was.
________________________________________
Boy that's a tough one.
#1 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band 1975, 1977, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1988(Massachusetts), 1988 (Amnesty International, Phila), 2000 FIFTH ROW SEATS!!,
2002 (aUSTIN), 2003 MA. He is simply the best live show around!!!
Paul McCartney 1993 TX.
Steven Curtis Chapman, Austin Tx., 1998
Amy Grant, Austin Tx 1995
WAY too many more to mention but those are my top four favs.
Dawn
I was taken to a concert in Southampton by my older cousin when about 11 years old.
Highlights
Kinks
Yardbirds
Ronnettes
Cliff Bennet and the Rebel Rousers
Other concerts worth remembering
Van Morrison at the Rainbow in 1974
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band At the Dome in Brighton 1972.
(Got detained by the police after this event on suspicion of robbery with violence - held for a while but released after the sory of wher I had been was checked out). The policeman enquired was Capatin Beefheart anything like the Beach Boys.
Highlights
Kinks
Yardbirds
Ronnettes
Cliff Bennet and the Rebel Rousers
Other concerts worth remembering
Van Morrison at the Rainbow in 1974
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band At the Dome in Brighton 1972.
(Got detained by the police after this event on suspicion of robbery with violence - held for a while but released after the sory of wher I had been was checked out). The policeman enquired was Capatin Beefheart anything like the Beach Boys.
QUOTE (John Simkin @ Dec 22 2004, 08:02 AM)
I thought it might be a good idea to write about the greatest live concerts you have attended.
Over the years I have seen a large number of the great names in music perform live. The first great performance I saw was that of Roy Orbison. I had gone to see a new up and coming band called the Beatles (they were just about to have their first record, Love Me Do, released. The Beatles were at the bottom of the bill and were supporting Orbison, a singer who I did not know anything about. Orbison completely lacked charisma and was one of the few rock stars that you never wanted to be. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang songs such as Only the Lonely, Running Scared, Love Hurts and Crying. It was magical. The quality of his voice was truly amazing. So was his ability to convey raw emotion. At that time I had never experienced a broken love affair. Orbison obviously had and was able to communicate that to his audience. It was like reading a great book. I was taken into a world I knew nothing about.
I never bought any of Orbison’s records. At the time I was a terrible snob who was only willing to buy music performed by black Americans. However, that night, I knew I was in the company of a great artist. He died a long time ago (1988). However, when they play his music on the radio, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in recognition of that night I spent with him in Romford in the summer of 1962.
The other outstanding performance was by Don McLean. It was in London in 1973. A year after his great hit American Pie was released. In many ways McLean was very much like Orbison. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang his own songs. Like Orbison, he actually sounded better live than he did on record. However, it was not the quality of his voice that mattered. It was his ability to create a sense of community. McLean was very much a political singer (I believe he still is). Songs such as Sister Fatima, The Grave, Bronco Bill’s Lament, The Pride Parade, The More You Pay and Oh My What a Shame were spellbinding. The nearest I can compare it to was listening to a great orator. It was the ability to use words to create an emotional and political response from the audience. I never had the good fortune to hear Martin Luther King make a live speech. I imagine it would have had a similar impact on me as that Don Mclean concert.
Over the years I have seen a large number of the great names in music perform live. The first great performance I saw was that of Roy Orbison. I had gone to see a new up and coming band called the Beatles (they were just about to have their first record, Love Me Do, released. The Beatles were at the bottom of the bill and were supporting Orbison, a singer who I did not know anything about. Orbison completely lacked charisma and was one of the few rock stars that you never wanted to be. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang songs such as Only the Lonely, Running Scared, Love Hurts and Crying. It was magical. The quality of his voice was truly amazing. So was his ability to convey raw emotion. At that time I had never experienced a broken love affair. Orbison obviously had and was able to communicate that to his audience. It was like reading a great book. I was taken into a world I knew nothing about.
I never bought any of Orbison’s records. At the time I was a terrible snob who was only willing to buy music performed by black Americans. However, that night, I knew I was in the company of a great artist. He died a long time ago (1988). However, when they play his music on the radio, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in recognition of that night I spent with him in Romford in the summer of 1962.
The other outstanding performance was by Don McLean. It was in London in 1973. A year after his great hit American Pie was released. In many ways McLean was very much like Orbison. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang his own songs. Like Orbison, he actually sounded better live than he did on record. However, it was not the quality of his voice that mattered. It was his ability to create a sense of community. McLean was very much a political singer (I believe he still is). Songs such as Sister Fatima, The Grave, Bronco Bill’s Lament, The Pride Parade, The More You Pay and Oh My What a Shame were spellbinding. The nearest I can compare it to was listening to a great orator. It was the ability to use words to create an emotional and political response from the audience. I never had the good fortune to hear Martin Luther King make a live speech. I imagine it would have had a similar impact on me as that Don Mclean concert.
Ah there are so many. 3 Pink Floyd concerts are my all time favorites, the Wish You Were Here tour in Hamilton Ontario in '75, the last show on the Animals tour in Montreal in '77, and the Delicate Sound of Thunder tour in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse in '87. Still have the ticket stubs.
Other notables include 4 Stevie Ray Vaughn shows, 3 Santana's (1 with a 16 year old Neil Schon in the band), and 2 BB King's. Notable misses: Hendrix in 1970 (I thought he would be back) and Led Zeppelin (2 canceled tours I had tickets for).
RJS
Fun topic - with lots of great artists mentioned. I haven't gone to many live performances over the years, but John's post reminded me of seeing John Prine in a concert hall, standing there all by himself with his guitar, singing "Hello in There", etc. I saw him again years later when he played with Steve Goodman as Steve was dying from leukemia. Steve was fabulous.
Saw Leo Kotke in the late 70's - early 80's - technically phenomenal. The Talking Heads in the late 70's and early 80's - amazing. The Police, fronted by the English Beat, was a memorable performance as well. And Karla Bonoff, singing her songs that others made famous....
Asleep at the Wheel was just plain fun - and not many people came to hear them.
Saw Leo Kotke in the late 70's - early 80's - technically phenomenal. The Talking Heads in the late 70's and early 80's - amazing. The Police, fronted by the English Beat, was a memorable performance as well. And Karla Bonoff, singing her songs that others made famous....
Asleep at the Wheel was just plain fun - and not many people came to hear them.
Both times I have seen the Dave Matthews Band play live in Connetticut have been amazing. The band has been voted one of the best live performances ever, and it's clear to see why. They combine five incredibly talented musicians, intense lighting effects and a lot of improvisation and the result is phenomenal. If you have never heard Dave Matthews Band before, check out their live CDs, not as good the real thing but better than nothing.
Dave Matthews Band Website
Dave Matthews Band Website
Manic Street Preachers, Chris Cornell, Franz Ferdinand.
2007 - Rock'n Coke Festival, Istanbul.
Morrissey
2006 - Efes Pilsen One Love Festival, Istanbul.
2007 - Rock'n Coke Festival, Istanbul.
Morrissey
2006 - Efes Pilsen One Love Festival, Istanbul.
The Bill Evans Trio, Providence, RI, 1980 (the year of his passing).
Ella Fitzgerald with the Count Basie Orchestra, Newport, RI, 1978.
Shirley Horn, Scullers, Boston, MA, 2006.
Mark Murphy, Scullers, 2007.
Pepper Adams, Allary, Providence, 1978.
Phil Woods Quintet, Sandy's Jazz Revival, Beverly, MA, 1975.
Duke Ellington Orchestra, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence, 1969.
Joe Henderson, Yoshi's, Oakland, CA, 1983.
Ella Fitzgerald, Ronnie Scott's, London, 1974.
Frank Sinatra, Budokan Hall, Tokyo, 1985.
Frank Sinatra, Radio City Music Hall, New York, 1990
Ella Fitzgerald with the Count Basie Orchestra, Newport, RI, 1978.
Shirley Horn, Scullers, Boston, MA, 2006.
Mark Murphy, Scullers, 2007.
Pepper Adams, Allary, Providence, 1978.
Phil Woods Quintet, Sandy's Jazz Revival, Beverly, MA, 1975.
Duke Ellington Orchestra, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence, 1969.
Joe Henderson, Yoshi's, Oakland, CA, 1983.
Ella Fitzgerald, Ronnie Scott's, London, 1974.
Frank Sinatra, Budokan Hall, Tokyo, 1985.
Frank Sinatra, Radio City Music Hall, New York, 1990
QUOTE (Charles Drago @ Jun 21 2008, 06:10 PM)
The Bill Evans Trio, Providence, RI, 1980 (the year of his passing).
Ella Fitzgerald with the Count Basie Orchestra, Newport, RI, 1978.
Shirley Horn, Scullers, Boston, MA, 2006.
Mark Murphy, Scullers, 2007.
Pepper Adams, Allary, Providence, 1978.
Phil Woods Quintet, Sandy's Jazz Revival, Beverly, MA, 1975.
Duke Ellington Orchestra, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence, 1969.
Joe Henderson, Yoshi's, Oakland, CA, 1984.
Ella Fitzgerald, Ronnie Scott's, London, 1974.
Frank Sinatra, Budokan Hall, Tokyo, 1985.
Ella Fitzgerald with the Count Basie Orchestra, Newport, RI, 1978.
Shirley Horn, Scullers, Boston, MA, 2006.
Mark Murphy, Scullers, 2007.
Pepper Adams, Allary, Providence, 1978.
Phil Woods Quintet, Sandy's Jazz Revival, Beverly, MA, 1975.
Duke Ellington Orchestra, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence, 1969.
Joe Henderson, Yoshi's, Oakland, CA, 1984.
Ella Fitzgerald, Ronnie Scott's, London, 1974.
Frank Sinatra, Budokan Hall, Tokyo, 1985.
Charles,
You saw Frank in Tokyo?
I caught Levon Helm last night in Philly.
BK
Bill,
It was sheer serendipity. I was there representing an elderly, house-bound member of my extended family on business matters. It was a brief trip on the ultra-cheap, with little chance for tourism. In and out. However, I did manage to place a call to an American attorney whose acquaintance I had made a few years earlier when I was MC of the Newport Jazz Festival (the year of George Wein's return as festival promoter to the City by the Sea). She had told me then that she was transferring to a Tokyo office; her field was intellectual property law.
We connected. She had an extra ticket. My seat was not a good one, but I think I can see myself during one of the crowd shots on the laser disc version of the concert.
I flew home the next day. Somewhere around the archives are the program book and a huge, beautiful promotional poster.
By the way, in his inimitable fashion, Sinatra sang the lyric, "Ruck be a rady tonight." Seriously.
Charles
It was sheer serendipity. I was there representing an elderly, house-bound member of my extended family on business matters. It was a brief trip on the ultra-cheap, with little chance for tourism. In and out. However, I did manage to place a call to an American attorney whose acquaintance I had made a few years earlier when I was MC of the Newport Jazz Festival (the year of George Wein's return as festival promoter to the City by the Sea). She had told me then that she was transferring to a Tokyo office; her field was intellectual property law.
We connected. She had an extra ticket. My seat was not a good one, but I think I can see myself during one of the crowd shots on the laser disc version of the concert.
I flew home the next day. Somewhere around the archives are the program book and a huge, beautiful promotional poster.
By the way, in his inimitable fashion, Sinatra sang the lyric, "Ruck be a rady tonight." Seriously.
Charles
QUOTE (Charles Drago @ Jun 21 2008, 08:00 PM)
Bill,
It was sheer serendipity. I was there representing an elderly, house-bound member of my extended family on business matters. It was a brief trip on the ultra-cheap, with little chance for tourism. In and out. However, I did manage to place a call to an American attorney whose acquaintance I had made a few years earlier when I was MC of the Newport Jazz Festival (the year of George Wein's return as festival promoter to the City by the Sea). She had told me then that she was transferring to a Tokyo office; her field was intellectual property law.
We connected. She had an extra ticket. My seat was not a good one, but I think I can see myself during one of the crowd shots on the laser disc version of the concert.
I flew home the next day. Somewhere around the archives are the program book and a huge, beautiful promotional poster.
By the way, in his inimitable fashion, Sinatra sang the lyric, "Ruck be a rady tonight." Seriously.
Charles
It was sheer serendipity. I was there representing an elderly, house-bound member of my extended family on business matters. It was a brief trip on the ultra-cheap, with little chance for tourism. In and out. However, I did manage to place a call to an American attorney whose acquaintance I had made a few years earlier when I was MC of the Newport Jazz Festival (the year of George Wein's return as festival promoter to the City by the Sea). She had told me then that she was transferring to a Tokyo office; her field was intellectual property law.
We connected. She had an extra ticket. My seat was not a good one, but I think I can see myself during one of the crowd shots on the laser disc version of the concert.
I flew home the next day. Somewhere around the archives are the program book and a huge, beautiful promotional poster.
By the way, in his inimitable fashion, Sinatra sang the lyric, "Ruck be a rady tonight." Seriously.
Charles
That's terrific Charles,
What a lucky guy. And you were part of the Newport scene hea?
Did you ever work or go to the folk fest when Dylan was there?
Here's a quick review of the show I caught last night:
http://jerseyshorenightbeat.blogspot.com/
BK
BK,
I haven't attended a Folk Festival, alas.
I was born in 1952, so the heyday of the NJF was before my time. Wein returned in 1980, when I was Rhode Island's only regularly published jazz critic. He hired me to host the festival, and I was very flattered. I was asked back five more times.
There are great stories to be told, and I hope someday to get around to the telling.
I'll read your attached concert review now. And thanks for this most pleasant exchange.
Best,
Charles
I haven't attended a Folk Festival, alas.
I was born in 1952, so the heyday of the NJF was before my time. Wein returned in 1980, when I was Rhode Island's only regularly published jazz critic. He hired me to host the festival, and I was very flattered. I was asked back five more times.
There are great stories to be told, and I hope someday to get around to the telling.
I'll read your attached concert review now. And thanks for this most pleasant exchange.
Best,
Charles
QUOTE (John Simkin @ Dec 22 2004, 01:02 AM)
I thought it might be a good idea to write about the greatest live concerts you have attended.
Over the years I have seen a large number of the great names in music perform live. The first great performance I saw was that of Roy Orbison. I had gone to see a new up and coming band called the Beatles (they were just about to have their first record, Love Me Do, released. The Beatles were at the bottom of the bill and were supporting Orbison, a singer who I did not know anything about. Orbison completely lacked charisma and was one of the few rock stars that you never wanted to be. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang songs such as Only the Lonely, Running Scared, Love Hurts and Crying. It was magical. The quality of his voice was truly amazing. So was his ability to convey raw emotion. At that time I had never experienced a broken love affair. Orbison obviously had and was able to communicate that to his audience. It was like reading a great book. I was taken into a world I knew nothing about.
I never bought any of Orbison’s records. At the time I was a terrible snob who was only willing to buy music performed by black Americans. However, that night, I knew I was in the company of a great artist. He died a long time ago (1988). However, when they play his music on the radio, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in recognition of that night I spent with him in Romford in the summer of 1962.
The other outstanding performance was by Don McLean. It was in London in 1973. A year after his great hit American Pie was released. In many ways McLean was very much like Orbison. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang his own songs. Like Orbison, he actually sounded better live than he did on record. However, it was not the quality of his voice that mattered. It was his ability to create a sense of community. McLean was very much a political singer (I believe he still is). Songs such as Sister Fatima, The Grave, Bronco Bill’s Lament, The Pride Parade, The More You Pay and Oh My What a Shame were spellbinding. The nearest I can compare it to was listening to a great orator. It was the ability to use words to create an emotional and political response from the audience. I never had the good fortune to hear Martin Luther King make a live speech. I imagine it would have had a similar impact on me as that Don Mclean concert.
Over the years I have seen a large number of the great names in music perform live. The first great performance I saw was that of Roy Orbison. I had gone to see a new up and coming band called the Beatles (they were just about to have their first record, Love Me Do, released. The Beatles were at the bottom of the bill and were supporting Orbison, a singer who I did not know anything about. Orbison completely lacked charisma and was one of the few rock stars that you never wanted to be. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang songs such as Only the Lonely, Running Scared, Love Hurts and Crying. It was magical. The quality of his voice was truly amazing. So was his ability to convey raw emotion. At that time I had never experienced a broken love affair. Orbison obviously had and was able to communicate that to his audience. It was like reading a great book. I was taken into a world I knew nothing about.
I never bought any of Orbison’s records. At the time I was a terrible snob who was only willing to buy music performed by black Americans. However, that night, I knew I was in the company of a great artist. He died a long time ago (1988). However, when they play his music on the radio, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in recognition of that night I spent with him in Romford in the summer of 1962.
The other outstanding performance was by Don McLean. It was in London in 1973. A year after his great hit American Pie was released. In many ways McLean was very much like Orbison. He stood in the middle of the stage with his guitar and sang his own songs. Like Orbison, he actually sounded better live than he did on record. However, it was not the quality of his voice that mattered. It was his ability to create a sense of community. McLean was very much a political singer (I believe he still is). Songs such as Sister Fatima, The Grave, Bronco Bill’s Lament, The Pride Parade, The More You Pay and Oh My What a Shame were spellbinding. The nearest I can compare it to was listening to a great orator. It was the ability to use words to create an emotional and political response from the audience. I never had the good fortune to hear Martin Luther King make a live speech. I imagine it would have had a similar impact on me as that Don Mclean concert.
Buddy Rich and the Diz as in Gillespie.... a jam session Monterey Jazz Festival maybe 79-80?... there was power failure, it was a night show, the place was packed, foggy-cold and not one person in the outdoor arena cared.
We were videotaping the show when arena power went down, the tv remote truck had seperate generated power so we stayed up. However, no stage power for the sound amps, lights, etc... the entire house went black.... flashlights and Zippos from the crowd started appearing eventually lit the stage some (not enough for our work).... looked like it was refund time... but Diz and Buddy Rich had there instruments on the stage, made their way there... You could here Rich when he started to play from down stage, then Diz up stage, eventually Diz found Rich -- the entire arena quieted, we knew we in for something special.... They jammed for 40 minutes (till power was restored)
Memoirs:
Peter Tosh in this grotesque metal clad inverted rubbish bin in Perth. Stopped going to it after noticing the awfulness of the accoustics. Had to give it another go when Tosh came to town and for some reason Tosh and co managed to do a real thorough soundcheck and the concert was spectacular. Real pros. ( to not have seen Marley at least once is a major regret ) (Ditto the modern mozart Zappa).
Kraftwerk in the restored old Princess theatre in Melbourne. Having been a fan for some time, I was blown away by the performance which was somewhat revolutionary at the time with its light show.
Again in Melbourne, UB40 for the sheer fun of it. By the end all benches were pushed to the side and the hall was a dance floor.
Johnny Winter (or was it Edgar?) (sydney) in a fairly small but still standing theatre. There was no need to see the show, couldn't push my way to the front anyway, just hearing him play live was great.
Midnight Oil, The Saints (Brisvegas), Swannee, Redgum, and many others in various places. Missed out on the early AC/DC concerts cause I suppose they were up'n coming nobodies then though they were locals (later lived near Bon Scotts grave). In those days, locals like the Manneqins, the Scientists, the Triffids, the Jam Tarts (local sweeties), AtoZ (after Answers and Zeros joined), the Dugites, the guy in Shine (another performance I missed due to not remembering it, (apparently I was there???) in a small wine bar). The garage to pub band scene in Perth was very creative and cheap in those days. Hernandos Hideaway and the Stoned Crow were great venues. The Crow was later rebuilt and re-emerged as Mojos, with much the same format minus the maze of little early 1900's rooms outback where hazy get togethers were had, and end of highschool Catholic sheilas had their first taste of whatever. Lotsa fun'n'games.
Came to Oz when ABBA won the eurovision in england. Must say it was most embarrasing, heaps of ragging. So, while they took off in Oz, at school all I wanted to do was wear a tee shirt saying 'it's not my fault'. (Though I remember Benny from my childhood.) Have become a fan in my dotage and regret not seeing them live then. the Mamma Mia movie is a sufficient recompence. Those colors, golden hair and royal blue. The flag on the boat, the boat itself, the scenery which is so much like parts of swedens coast. (ja, jag vill leva, jag vill do i norden)...Memories are made of this...anyway, Anna got her prince, and Agnetha did the ole' Greta Garbo (typical swedish trait).
My major childhood interests were Satchmo, Grieg, and the early Stones (some of their early numbers showed they were real wiggers). MLK was a major influence seeing him feted at the Nobel price while seeing Bull in Alabama on telly. What a contrast.
Peter Tosh in this grotesque metal clad inverted rubbish bin in Perth. Stopped going to it after noticing the awfulness of the accoustics. Had to give it another go when Tosh came to town and for some reason Tosh and co managed to do a real thorough soundcheck and the concert was spectacular. Real pros. ( to not have seen Marley at least once is a major regret ) (Ditto the modern mozart Zappa).
Kraftwerk in the restored old Princess theatre in Melbourne. Having been a fan for some time, I was blown away by the performance which was somewhat revolutionary at the time with its light show.
Again in Melbourne, UB40 for the sheer fun of it. By the end all benches were pushed to the side and the hall was a dance floor.
Johnny Winter (or was it Edgar?) (sydney) in a fairly small but still standing theatre. There was no need to see the show, couldn't push my way to the front anyway, just hearing him play live was great.
Midnight Oil, The Saints (Brisvegas), Swannee, Redgum, and many others in various places. Missed out on the early AC/DC concerts cause I suppose they were up'n coming nobodies then though they were locals (later lived near Bon Scotts grave). In those days, locals like the Manneqins, the Scientists, the Triffids, the Jam Tarts (local sweeties), AtoZ (after Answers and Zeros joined), the Dugites, the guy in Shine (another performance I missed due to not remembering it, (apparently I was there???) in a small wine bar). The garage to pub band scene in Perth was very creative and cheap in those days. Hernandos Hideaway and the Stoned Crow were great venues. The Crow was later rebuilt and re-emerged as Mojos, with much the same format minus the maze of little early 1900's rooms outback where hazy get togethers were had, and end of highschool Catholic sheilas had their first taste of whatever. Lotsa fun'n'games.
Came to Oz when ABBA won the eurovision in england. Must say it was most embarrasing, heaps of ragging. So, while they took off in Oz, at school all I wanted to do was wear a tee shirt saying 'it's not my fault'. (Though I remember Benny from my childhood.) Have become a fan in my dotage and regret not seeing them live then. the Mamma Mia movie is a sufficient recompence. Those colors, golden hair and royal blue. The flag on the boat, the boat itself, the scenery which is so much like parts of swedens coast. (ja, jag vill leva, jag vill do i norden)...Memories are made of this...anyway, Anna got her prince, and Agnetha did the ole' Greta Garbo (typical swedish trait).
My major childhood interests were Satchmo, Grieg, and the early Stones (some of their early numbers showed they were real wiggers). MLK was a major influence seeing him feted at the Nobel price while seeing Bull in Alabama on telly. What a contrast.
Hey, I just saw the Obama show from Lincoln Memorial on HBO.
It was actually pretty good, with some very good performances by Garth Brooks, U2 and others.
Tom Hanks read excerpts of Bugliosi's book (ha ha, only kidding) and Bono brought up Israel and Palestine, but it was a pretty good show overall, and it gives me some hope that if not anything else, there's going to be some good parties at the White House.
Did anybody else catch this show?
BK
It was actually pretty good, with some very good performances by Garth Brooks, U2 and others.
Tom Hanks read excerpts of Bugliosi's book (ha ha, only kidding) and Bono brought up Israel and Palestine, but it was a pretty good show overall, and it gives me some hope that if not anything else, there's going to be some good parties at the White House.
Did anybody else catch this show?
BK
Not the greatest, but a great live performance was seeing Tommy Emmanuel playing at the University of Sydney's Footbridge Theatre. Fantastic; made one person sound like an orchestra.
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