Time to contribute my own memories ....
Your first concert: The Police: Ghost in the Machine Tour, Cow Palace 1982
This was probably the apex of the group's popularity with "Everything Little Thing she Does is Magic" peaking on the charts and before Sting broke away to go solo. Also rampant drug use everywhere. I think I got a contact high from the groups on either side of me both of which offered a group of kids to share their lines of cocaine, which we turned down. Yes, it WAS the early 80s.
Your best concert: The Pretenders: Greek Theater, 1984.
Went with my Stanford girlfriend and a KZSU DJ both of whom loved the group and particularly loved Chrissy Hynde. Chrissy and the band were GREAT that night and the concert was electric. I left a Pretenders die-hard which is either a testament to their charisma or to my girlfriend's contagious enthusiasm. Always fun to see a good band in the company of people that love them more than you.
The concert you wish you had attended: The Band, Last Waltz, Winterland, 1978
Love the album, love the guest appearances and love the vibe of the Scorsese presentation. It's maddening that I was so close-by although my 15 year old self probably lacked the context to really get it back then.
Concert that was way more fun that expected: I randomly walked by the New Varsity in the late 80s and heard Jazz music coming from the venue's courtyard. My date (and later wife) dropped in to listen for a bit and ended up replacing our plans with this impromptu concert. Turns out it was Tuck and Patty playing songs that would populate their debut album. They aren't a big group now and certainly weren't a big group back then but they were soulful, Jazzy, and romantic while seeming to thoroughly enjoy playing to an audience that was at most 40 people standing or sitting on folding chairs on late summer night in Palo Alto. (I think the late guitarist Michael Hedges also played that night.)
Worst concert: Elton John, don't remember where/when
One of his many farewell tours, same old songs but from horrid upper deck seats with a bad sound system that reached us just barely enough to hear Sir Elton's shot vocal chords. Luckily I'd seen him in better days (though even then not in his prime). Almost left early, should have left early
Band you've seen the most: Rascal Flatts,
Don't judge, my wife loves them.
Last concert: Rascal Flatts, Shoreline, maybe 2022? Not sure.
See above. Happy wife, happy life. The boys were getting a little thick around the middle but then so were we.
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I'm not counting tribute bands I've seen recently that did pretty decent shows. TLR which plays good renditions of Eagles songs in small (ish) outdoor venues comes to mind. They’re the comfort food of live shows, dishing out authentic sounding versions of long-time favorites. Tribute band shows can be lots of fun without the drama and hassle of big arena shows. Sometimes a good, chicken marsala over fettucini is better than the trendy fare of the moment. Of course, they can also suck, so do your research and choose wisely.
Your first concert: The Police: Ghost in the Machine Tour, Cow Palace 1982
This was probably the apex of the group's popularity with "Everything Little Thing she Does is Magic" peaking on the charts and before Sting broke away to go solo. Also rampant drug use everywhere. I think I got a contact high from the groups on either side of me both of which offered a group of kids to share their lines of cocaine, which we turned down. Yes, it WAS the early 80s.
Your best concert: The Pretenders: Greek Theater, 1984.
Went with my Stanford girlfriend and a KZSU DJ both of whom loved the group and particularly loved Chrissy Hynde. Chrissy and the band were GREAT that night and the concert was electric. I left a Pretenders die-hard which is either a testament to their charisma or to my girlfriend's contagious enthusiasm. Always fun to see a good band in the company of people that love them more than you.
The concert you wish you had attended: The Band, Last Waltz, Winterland, 1978
Love the album, love the guest appearances and love the vibe of the Scorsese presentation. It's maddening that I was so close-by although my 15 year old self probably lacked the context to really get it back then.
Concert that was way more fun that expected: I randomly walked by the New Varsity in the late 80s and heard Jazz music coming from the venue's courtyard. My date (and later wife) dropped in to listen for a bit and ended up replacing our plans with this impromptu concert. Turns out it was Tuck and Patty playing songs that would populate their debut album. They aren't a big group now and certainly weren't a big group back then but they were soulful, Jazzy, and romantic while seeming to thoroughly enjoy playing to an audience that was at most 40 people standing or sitting on folding chairs on late summer night in Palo Alto. (I think the late guitarist Michael Hedges also played that night.)
Worst concert: Elton John, don't remember where/when
One of his many farewell tours, same old songs but from horrid upper deck seats with a bad sound system that reached us just barely enough to hear Sir Elton's shot vocal chords. Luckily I'd seen him in better days (though even then not in his prime). Almost left early, should have left early
Band you've seen the most: Rascal Flatts,
Don't judge, my wife loves them.
Last concert: Rascal Flatts, Shoreline, maybe 2022? Not sure.
See above. Happy wife, happy life. The boys were getting a little thick around the middle but then so were we.
==============================
I'm not counting tribute bands I've seen recently that did pretty decent shows. TLR which plays good renditions of Eagles songs in small (ish) outdoor venues comes to mind. They’re the comfort food of live shows, dishing out authentic sounding versions of long-time favorites. Tribute band shows can be lots of fun without the drama and hassle of big arena shows. Sometimes a good, chicken marsala over fettucini is better than the trendy fare of the moment. Of course, they can also suck, so do your research and choose wisely.
In 1938 Neville Chamberlain declared "Peace in our time", Superman first appeared in Action Comics, Seabiscuit beat War Admiral ....... and C.a.l last won the Rose Bowl.