Who have you seen live? How many times? What was your favorite? What was the worst?
Let em' fly, folks.....
As for me, I have been to the following:
Van Halen: 9 times (I have seen all four VH combinations)
Cheap Trick: 3 times
KISS: twice
Johnny Cash: twice
Alabama: twice
Loverboy: twice
Dokken: twice
Plus...Twisted Sister, Crowded House, The Cars, Ace Frehley(solo), Bruce Hornsby, Ratt, Merle Haggard, The Judds, LL Cool J, Chuck Berry, Vince Neil(solo), Metallica, Scorpions, Tanya Tucker, Davy Jones (yep, the Monkee himself), ELO, Sammy Hagar and the Wabos with Michael Anthony as special guest, and many others.
Best show was my very first concert ever...Van Halen in 1984. I just saw them on a few clips of their performance at the 83' US Festival and was completely enthralled. They came to KC and when the place went dark and I heard Eddie for the first time live, it was all over. Then the lights came on to the opening of "Unchained" and boom! VH for me ever since!
Saw Johnny Cash at Worlds of Fun and the closed Sam's Town Casino in KC. At Sam's, he started with "Folsom Prison Blues" and milked the pause when he introduced himself. You could feel the anticipation as he rared back playing his guitar and then finally walked back up to the mic and said "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash!" Needless to say, the place exploded.
Paul McCartney...The Eagles...Elton John...Reba McIntire...Garth Brooks...Hank Williams, Jr.
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Charlie Pride...The Forester Sisters...John Conlee...Tracy Lawrence...Joe Diffie...Narvel Felts
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Jerry Lee Lewis...Little Richard...Ozark Mt. Daredevils...Earl Skruggs...Rodney Dillard...Jana Jae...Joe Walsh
Many other country music acts...got to meet a few stars during my years working in radio.
Had a chance to meet Oscar winning actress Mary Steenburgen, and many politicians including Mike Huckabee, John Ashcroft, Bill Clinton, Jim Guy Tucker, Dale Bumpers, Mark Pryor, David Pryor, John Danforth, saw Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush. Many others I cannot name at this time.
Best shows by far...McCartney, Eagles, Elton John...and Charlie Pride, John Conlee, Garth Brooks and Reba McIntire.
Hey, it's been a wonderful life!
Summer Jam back in the late 70s at Arrowhead Stadium
Iron Maiden - Twisted Sister open'd for them at Kemper. Early 80s
Ratt - Bon Jovi open'n for them at Starlight Theater. Shows how long ago THAT was!
Thats it. They say if its too loud, then your too old.. Well, i'm too old.
Okay deep breath....here we go
Def Leppard, Mr. Big, Nelson, Duran Duran, Stone Temple Pilots (3 times), Live (2 times), Firehouse, Damn Yankees, Poison, Hole, Beck (2 times), Sinead O'Connor, Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, REM, Red Hot Chili Peppers (2 times), Huey Lewis and the News, Toadies, no Doubt, 7 Mary 3, 311 (3 times), Garbage, Goo Goo Dolls, Soul Asylum, Cheap Trick (2 times), Candlebox, Everclear, The Urge, Jars of Clay, Gravity Kills, Metallica, Pavement, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, L7, Matchbox 20, The Bloodhound Gang, Bush, Kay's Choice, Cowboy Mouth, Better than Ezra, Rollin's Band, Local H, Aerosmith, Johnney Lang, The OC Supertones, DC Talk, Govt. Mule, Dave Matthews Band (2 times). Weird Al Yankovic, Collective Soul, Cranberries, Smashing Pumpkins, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Boxtops, Foo Fighters, Blonde Redhead, Paloalto, Counting Crowes (2 times), Nitty Gritty Dirtband, Fuel, Our Lady Peace, Puddle of Mud, Alien Ant Farm (2 times), Saliva, Weezer (4 times), Good Charlotte, Sum 41, Rancid, Fenix TX, The Living End, Bob Dylan, Tenacious D, JimmyEat World, Ben Folds (6 times), Abandon Pools, Pink, Lenny Kravitz, John Mayer (2 times) Guster, Rufus Wainright, Erin Bode, Jamie Cullum, The Fray, Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, The Other Half, Journey, Heart, The Decemberists, Stars of Track and Field, Chuck Berry, The Offspring, Pepper....I might have missed a few....
Okay to clarify, my parents woked with a company building our outdoor ampatheater, an we got tickets (4th row) to every concert for 6-7 years. I had the opportunity to hear some great, iconic acts of Rock and Roll. Some memorable, some forgetable, I knew I had a big gift with these tickets available to me, so I recorded the bands etc, for just a time like this!
Best shows: Radiohead opening for REM, Damn Yankees-seeing Ted Nugent shooting flaming arrows into his guitar was awesome, Metallica had the best pyro show I have ever seen (my mom said KISS was better since she was at both!), Weird Al changed costumes 13 times in the show, The Living End rocked, Jamie Cullum was amazing, Ben Folds always puts on a great show, Van Halen with David Lee Roth was indeed a highlight...
Forgettable show, I was cussed out by a forgettable chick band L7 for refusing to stand during their show, Cypress Hill was comical, but a bit uncomfortable for a non-drug addict, Bob Dylan was nice to see but sounded like a wheezy vacuum cleaner, Chuck Berry in his 80s forgets chords/ words now and then.
I've always been picky about going to concerts mostly because they are so expensive. But I've seen a few. Allison Krauss and Union Station twice. Dan Fogelberg four times (first tour I saw of his was with Beth Nielson Chapman, and Timothy B. Schmidt of the Eagles), The Beatles tribute group "1964" several times. They are incredible!! Best show ever was Paul McCartney in summer of 2009 in Tulsa. The guy doesn't miss a note, and he played for two and a half hours. After that show, my life is fulfilled. I also saw Jerry Seinfeld. That was a lot of fun.
Tony- I saw McCartney in Tulsa last year too! That was a great show! I also saw him a few years earlier at the Ford Center in OKC. I belive the OKC was a little better show because they had a giant pre show with all kinds of things. Musically, they are equal though. McCartney is incredible! I've also seen all the Van Halens, Eric Clapton, Kiss, Kansas, .38 Special, Eagles, Ted Nugent SEVERAL times (I live Uncle Ted, in fact, I'm going to see him tomorrow night!), Aerosmith, BJ Thomas, Head East, Garth Brooks (even before he was "Garth Brooks" at Willies in Stillwater) Stryper, Great White, Alice Cooper, Three Dog Night, Asleep at the Wheel, Olivia Newton-John (hey, she was HOT back in the day!), REO Speedwagon, Styx, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ozzy, Rob Zombie, and I'm sure there are a few that have slipped my mind. Oh...and the best show in Branson....the Liverpool Legends! Great tribute to the Beatles. I've also seen "1964", but I'll take LL anyday!
My favorite show is obviously Paul McCartney. The biggest let down was Eric Clapton. He was literally booed a few times in OKC. It was more of an acoustic jam than a concert. Never played any of the old stuff. Just SAT on the stage playing some blues on his Martin. That's fine for a while, but I can't take 1 1/2 hours of it!!!!!! Kiss has an incredible stage show and I was a giant Kiss fan in the '70's. They are a little old now, but they can still put on a show.
Geeze rube, I'm jealous! the only concerts I've been to was a tween christian concert called "iShine" and I've been to a Third day concert. :D
Yeah I was just at the right place at the right time, and got most of those free, now I have to pay like everyone else! One regret, I wishI had been the dork wearing earplugs...The constant ringing isn't too much fun. That coupled with the mediocre band I played with for a few years in the late 90's ruined my hearing.
My very first concert was James Taylor followed the next week by New Kids on the Block (don't ask). Then I got hooked and got serious
I keep a ticket stub diary so....(in no particular order):
They Might Be Giants (8 times)
The Faint (6 times)
The Dead Kennedys
No Doubt
Nine Inch Nails (3 times)
Ministry (four times)
Foo Fighters
Live
Rufus Wainwright (3 times)
Incubus
Ben Kweller
Guided By Voices
Wilco, Cursive
Bright Eyes (2 times)
Tilly & the Wall
Weezer (four times)
The Decemberists
Soul Coughing
Death Cab For Cutie
Depeche Mode (front row!)
Daft Punk (twice and once front row!!!!)
New Order
Bauhaus
The Arcade Fire
The Bravery
Imogen Heap
Jamie Lidell
LCD Soundsystem (2 times)
Gorillaz
Fatboy Slim
Hole
Teddybears
The Go Team
Scissor Sisters
Mastadon
My Bloody Valentine
B-52's
Ice Cube
Soundgarden
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Jesus and Mary Chain (two times)
Justice
Ladytron
Pet Shop Boys (2 times)
Junior Boys
MSTRKRFT
Erasure
Tegan & Sara
Jose Gonzalez (2 times)
Girl Talk
Jane's Addiction
Rage Against the Machine
De La Soul
Duran Duran
Deee-Lite
Peaches
Gossip
Fever Ray
Little Boots
Florence and the Machine
Jars of Clay (2 times)
Hot Chip (my favorite band - four times)
The Branson Years (mostly at Grand Palace)
Johnny Cash (five times...at Magic Mansion...hardly anyone in the place each show)
Reba McEntire (second row)
Vince Gill
Sawyer Brown
Brooks & Dunn
Kathy Mattea
Sweethears of the Rodeo
Sawyer Brown
George Jones
Everley Brothers
(Also, just about every act on the strip)
Good Lord, Mike!! Did I mention I saw Paul McCartney? I did?.....oh.
Ha ha! How could I forget....I saw Sir Paul too! At Coachella in 2009. I've been to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California for the past six years. Saw Prince, Sigur Ros, Jonsi, Portishead, Kraftwerk, and Roger Waters performing the entire Dark Side of the Moon. Among many, many, many others.
Well Betamike, I don't mean to brag but,...uh,well, I also saw CARROT TOP!! that's right, I said Carrot Top. Checkmate.
He's from Orlando and lives three blocks over from me. I'll give him your regards. ;)
Oh, and I'll see your Carrot Top and raise you a Bea Arthur
Bon Jovi (multiple times)
Van Halen (Sammy Hagar)
Cinderella
Steve Vai
Alice in Chains
Extreme
Alabama
Oak Ridge Boys
Barbara Mandrell
Oldies show (featuring Chubby Checker, Brenda Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis)
Petra (multiple times)
Whiteheart
Stryper
Rez Band
Skillet
Bride
Whitecross
Back in the 70's
The Osmonds
Bay City Rollers
Jackson 5
Most Memorable Concert: Rez Band--they played in a High School gym, but had tons of pyro (this was before we knew it was dangerous)
Biggest disappointment: Jerry Lee Lewis didn't show up.
And though I never got to see them in concert, I got to meet Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana. Shaking their hands was like meeting rock-n-roll royalty!
Parson, actually I'm pretty jealous of your Osmonds encounter. BetaMike, I'll see your Bea Arthur and raise you a Dave Barry. Wellllll???
You have forced my hand pal...Boots Randolph. Booya!!!!
The kicker was that this wasn't even a proper concert. He just finished the show and we saw him walking and decided to give him a ride to his car. Because he thought we were so nice, he played Yakety Sax for us in the back alley of the Roy Clark.
Bea Arthur AND Boots Randolph?!! Oooh, that's hard to top. In fact, I can't. Did I mention I saw Paul McCartney? I did? Oh. :(
Sir Paul is on my list of things to experience. Being a Beatles fan for nearly 30 years, I was "never old enough" so my parents always went w/ out me.
I just got into Sigur Ros last week, and am still just figuring out how awesome they are.
I go to a Pink Floyd Tribute show yearly here in StL that is comparable to Australian Pink Floyd, but Waters would have been awesome-Gilmour and Waters annouced yesterday a 30th anniversary Wall tour. Waters is doing that same concert in Stl in Oct. $75 cheap seats. I wonder if it is worth it....
I have nothing that can trump Bea Arthur.....I have Varuca Salt's Drumstick.... OHHH i remembered this...During "Surrender" Cheap trick throws out an album frisbee style at the point where they say "Rolling numbers, rock and rolling, got my Kiss records out."
Here it is...... A Cheap Trick album signed by all members, with dozens of Rick Nielson picks around the outside
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/IMG_3226.jpg)
I met all of Def Leppard at a mall...To get Rick Allen's signature someone else had to hold the paper for him since well, he only has one arm.
Nothing that can trump you BetaMike, you win this time sir.
Rube, Sigur Ros is awesome! Check out their DVD documentary called "Heime". Its very, very cool. BetaMike, what can I say. No one will ever top your Bea Arthur. I would however, like to see photographic proof.
Wow....didn't know there were so many fans of Bea Arthur. I am probably the biggest Bea fan there is.
Sigur Ros is great and they are amazing live, but if you haven't heard Jonsi (the lead singer of Sigur Ros) new album, it is fantastic. The Jonsi concert I just saw was almost like a religious experience.
Here's the proof!
HAHAHAHAHA!!! I just shot milk out of my nose!! That's awesome!!!
Wait a minute,....forty three dollars? Oooooh,....hmmmmmm......
Ohhhh kay....*hikes up pants*....I can see we have a "who you met" smackdown going here. So I will chime in with who I met!
Jerry Lewis - after Damn Yankees in KC, he signed my program and LEFT HIS thumbprint in "Jerry")
Don Knotts - yep, Barney Fife and ol' Ralph Furley himself!
Paul Sorvino - he gave a talk in KC once about art and I was there
Sid Vicious - former WCW/WWE wrestler
James Best - Roscoooooo P. Coltrane from Dukes of Hazzard
In the 50's, my mother worked at the old Townhouse Hotel in Kansas City, Kansas and met TONS of people. Mainly because she was the elevator operator and transported them up and down. Unfortunately, she left there before Patsy Cline stayed there and gave her last performance at Memorial Hall In KCK.
Rube, you better put Homeland Security on that CT poster. I'm comin' for it!!!! LOLOL! ;)
The only CT memory I have that's out of the ordinary is years ago they played the Amphitheater at Worlds of Fun and me and three other guys were standing in line right against the chain at the entrance two hours before the start of the show. When they came out and did a sound check, Rick Neilsen came all the way down to us and stood smack in front of us and talked to us while he warmed up and tuned himself.
Andy, I am jealous. Barney Fife and Paul Sorvino? Cool. Hmmmm,...I met Mike Huckabee at a book signing. We went to Oklahoma City exactly ONE WEEK before Paul McCartney drove through there on his infamous "Route 66 road trip" two years ago (or was it three?). He even ate at the same place we had been a week earlier. Didn't meet him, but came thaaaaaat close. Being a lowly machinist, I don't get much opportunity to hobnob with the rich and famous. Saw Yoko Ono's limosine parked outside a John Lennon art exhibit. Does that count? No? I suck.
You don't suck. Those folks put their pants on one leg at a time like we do...they just wear fancier pants!
I spent 5 years taking celebs around Disney. Some famous, some infamous but after a while the wow factor just fades
beta, you sound exactly like a girl I went to school with. She used to live in L.A. and her dad had some huge political pull and was a big-wig. Anyhow, it was nothing for her to go to her dad's office and see some actor sitting there visiting with her father. It started to fade with her too. It became commonplace. Her dad was invited to political fundraisers and parties by the actual celebrities themselves! Streisand, Warren Beatty, Edward Asner, the list is infinite!!!!!!!
For us, it was business. These folks just wanting to enjoy the parks like everyone else without being noticed. It's a tough row to hoe. Lots of them were really down to earth.
In 1984, Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli went to Worlds of Fun. They were dressed "in disguise" and managed to go around the park rather unscathed.
Then, Leo DiCaprio, Sara Gilbert (Darlene from "Roseanne") and Skeet Ulrich went to WOF a few years ago and also managed to skate through pretty much unnoticed.
Most of the time people just won't believe it's them and the celeb will say "nah, I just look like him". I had curious guests convinced that Darius Rucker was an investment banker...he appreciated that. Some are harder than others though. Paul Rubens and Liza Minelli were picked off right away.
You've really peaked my interest with this. Can you tell us like a really good story of a celebrity and one "Oh my God" bad story? Like your best and worst celebrity experiences?
Oh, i've got plenty of those but have to be cautious not to tell any stories out of school.
Just some general stuff that is ok for all audiences and won't incriminate me would be how nice Paris Hilton actually is. She really kind of blew my mind that wherever we went, she took time to actually thank all the Cast Members who put her on the rides. Weird!
Now, I can not mention a name here, but one drama queen (a guy) was late by 1-2 hours for all committments (many of these celebrities worked for us for promotional stuff). He dished on lots of people he knew, asked me to do stuff I shouldn't (pass on double yellow and speed because we were always late) and lit doobies in the back seat on almost every trip we took.
Just a few of the coolest experiences were walking around with Pee-Wee Herman and hearing him do the laugh and realizing how big of a kid he is. Geeking out at all the kitschy stuff we have at the parks. Walking the last remaining Munchkins around and then taking a special ride (just them and no guests) on the Great Movie Ride and having them get out and pose next to their Animatronic selves in the Wizard of Oz scene (the ride is that accurate that they could recognize themselves). Bill Nye the Science guy -what you see on TV is exactly how he is.
Sometimes just hearing the stories from the celebs was pretty cool. I heard (and saw) lots of stuff before it made the press. Some of it still hasn't ;). But I loved that role and still love my job so I better hush.
Ive had quite a few film, tv and music people that I'd consider some of my "wish list" people on tour. became good pals with some of them and hear from a few of them still. But now that I see them on TV or in a movie, it kind of ruins it for me because I know how normal, nervous, stressed out, down to earth, neurotic, cranky, whatever they really are.
I understand your point Beta on the last post. I am a portrait painter, an I have painted several big names in music and Hollywood. Most are just down to earth, and gracious, but others would blow your mind with their rude demands/ behaviors.
Notably for me was to paint a portrait for a well known American Idol contestant (wether he won or not is not the issue) better was that I have yet to be paid from several years ago for this. i KNOW he has the money. But it was an issue with a manager. Who knows!
My favorite celeb I worked for is Food Networks Alton Brown. He is again, exactly like he is on TV. Quirky, brilliant, and one of the nicest , most sincere, and humorous people I have worked with. It really makes seeing him on TV better, because I know he is not an act.
That's awesome! It's always the science guys who are the most like themselves isn't it?
Thanks for sharing, guys. I have heard through the years that a lot of stars that seem squeaky clean and so nice on tv are the ones that are the real rude and obnoxious ones. And the ones that you think would be real *#!$!@ kind of people are actually the laid back and courteous ones.
Was it really like that for you guys? Did you get a lot of opposite personalities?
A few of those. Some people paid villains on TV or film (just a role though) and you thought they might be like that but they weren't. Some you hear were high maintenance or difficult but I think that's more about their expectations and the pace of their lives up to that point and our perspective is a little askew.
My taste in music tends to be a little different than many guys, but like Tony from Tulsa in the TV thread, I'll out myself a bit (no not that way). The first concert I went to was Alabama and Juice Newton. I went alone and sat as far away as there were seats. How sad!
As for others, I have seen Air Supply and Whitney Houston, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers (twice), Lee Greenwood, Michael Bolton, Oak Ridge Boys, and some others. Lee Greenwood, during the pinnacle of his God Bless the USA days, was doing something in the same arena when my wife was graduating from high school (before I knew her). It is said that he asked what was going on. Someone told him there was a big high school graduation. Lee arranged, on the fly, to interrupt the graduation and sang God Bless the USA. I think it was an a capella version of the song. Can you imagine?
Now you're wondering when the "outing" begins, and that comes here: I am a fanilow. I've seen Barry Manilow twice in concert, simply because I love his unique voice. He was huge in the 70s and early 80s (though you would not know it on the "oldies" stations today). I have to say his was the best concert, followed by Kenny (back in the day), with lots of focus on the music and not just the lead vocals. Recently, he has focused on some cover albums, but is expected to release a guitar-driven rock album sometime soon (I know - that sounds weird to me too.). Besides, there were lots of girls at the concerts who couldn't get their boyfriends to bring them.
Now I'll go tune up the tractor and move some hay before I go on my big game hunting trip. (Is that what I'm supposed to say to replenish my testosterone, Tony?)
Let your freak flag fly HB! ;D
I like a lot of his stuff too. I remember my sister growing up in the age of Madonna and N'Sync, etc. Suddenly at the ripe old age of nine she admitted that she liked Patsy Cline to her friends and you wouldn't believe the reaction she got. They all liked her too but were just afraid they'd be listed as "squares" or something.
You guys really wanna feel old?? Get this....
I met Jerry Lewis back in 95' I believe, I may be off a year, but anyway some female in her 20's at the time had asked "why would you want an autograph of the guy that runs the telethon?"
Now if you'll excuse me....time to take my Geritol!
Having worked in radio for 20 years, I met many celebrities and politicians. Some were great, others real duds in person. I can say without a doubt, some of the Bill Clinton chasing other women stuff is true. Some celebs are very nice, and appreciate being approached by fans, others would not give the time of day. It does no one any good to go into details here, but what I can say is, a celebrity is someone who is just like you and me, he or she is just in an unusual job that pays pretty good money. They have their time in the spotlight, and then they fade away. I spent my time on the fringe of showbiz/media, and I saw a lot. People are people. It's kind of interesting to spend some time around famous folks, but it's really nice to spend time around the ones who realize that they are lucky to be where they are, and are kind to the people who approach them. I've been treated well, indifferently, and rudely by some of these folks. The ones who are rude don't deserve what they have been given.
I have to change the direction of the personallities to sports for the moment. While attending the Cardinals Winter Warm-Ups, I had the occasions of suddenly having Tony LaRousa standing beside me in the middle of the room. He was very happy to pose for a picture. A few years later, My family ended up in a elevator with Daryl Porter and he acted like he was really scared to be there even though we did not as for anything. Now I know why since a month later he died of drug fever.
As a kid, we would see Chuck Berry everywhere, in traffic, at the store (Yes on the news!)
With Darryl Strawberry moving to StL 2 years ago, I come into contact with him all the time.
Just to sum up my last thread here....last night was Ted Nugent in Tulsa at Cain's. That was, without a doubt, the loudest concert I have ever been to. He is simply too big and too loud for a venue that small. There was a time or two that I thought my heart was going to quit beating! It was great to have that "intimate" contact and to be that close to the action, but wowie...it was ripping loud!
Great show and typical "uncle Ted", but my ears are still ringing! Sad thing is, I'd do it again in a minute!
I was able to catch Santana in concert last night in St. Louis. I have been a Woodstock fan (being too young NO I wasn't even born yet!) since I started guitar at age 13. I cannot tell you how many times I have watched the documentary intently. A bucket list item was to see a Woodstock act, and this easily met that requirement. The show started out a bit rocky with Michael Franti & Spearhead, good band, I just didn't know their material (save for one song). Great showman, good band for a pick me up, feel good vibe.
Santana was a bit rocky as well (any time they start with "new" album material it can be iffy...especially when it is a rap version of AC-DC's Back in Black)
The show was good overall, Carlos was on point all night, but the best, most memorable part of the show was the encore. After all had left the stage, and the lights had gone black, on the big screen behind the stage, the Woodstock documentary began playing the Santana section. It starts with clapping, and banging in unison for about 30-45 seconds...and that was exactly what we did! It was amazing when he started playing Soul Sacrifice even if it didn't last the 11 min like the Woodstock version. So glad I went, and saw him. He is still an amazing guitarist.
I'd love to see Santana! Did Rob Thomas show up for the gig?
There uses to be a Baskin- Robins at the end of Shepard of the HIlls Expressway by Kirby Van Burch's theater. We stopped there one night during our visit to Branson and had two of the Osmond brothers come in and sit and eat ice cream beside us.
Nope, they had 2 singers who sang all songs regardless of the artists. They were pretty good, but I would have rather just heard the instrumentals
Last Friday morning I won 2 tickets from a Little Rock radio station for the Trans-Syberian Orchestra concert Friday December 9th in Little Rock. I am excited!
I have never seen them but i hear that the show is excelent. have you seen them before?
Not in person- just a concert performance on PBS.