Friday, January 20, 2012

Slow news day: What was the first concert you ever saw?



The first concert I ever saw live was Duran Duran in 1983 at the Worcester Centrum in Worcester, MA. My ticket cost $15 (yes I’ve kept all my concert stubs) and I believe I attended the show with Octo and a kid named Roger. We left before the encores because we didn’t know there was such a thing as encores. The next day in school I learned that Duran Duran played for an additional 30 minutes after we left. The last show I saw was Soundgarden at Mohegan Sun last summer. My ticket cost $200. My next show is the recently reunited Van Halen (March) and I'm checking out the action with Deroaches. I’m bored folks, tell me your tales!

22 comments:

Jordan said...

Billy Joel. Madison Square Garden.

I know; lame, right? Except, the next one was The Who, and their opening act was The Clash. Beat that.

DKC said...

You know I'm still pissed that you guys saw Duran Duran and I, huge fan that I was, did not. Jerks.

My first concert was actually with Octo as well. We saw The Moody Blues at the Civic Center, downtown Providence. The Fixx opened for them. Didn't you go to that too, JPX? Just to see The Fixx? I remember being pretty bored by them. Loved The Moody Blues though.

My most recent concert was seeing the Dandy's - was that last year? - with AC and JPX. Always a good time. I love our Horrorthon concert thang.

AC said...

first show was either queen or genesis. most recent show, allman brothers. next weekend i'll see american idiot, and if you don't count that because it's a musical, furthur in april.

Catfreeek said...

Well, my Dad took the whole family to see John Denver at the civic center when I was a kid. Starland Vocal Band opened for him. The first concert I went to of my own choosing was Queen.

JPX said...

I should mention that the opening band for Van Halen will be Kool and the Gang. For some reason I'm excited about that.

DKC said...

I think it's hilarious that Kool and the Gang is opening! I just found out that Neil Diamond is touring this year!!! June 23rd in Boston - who's with me?!?

JPX said...

If I was going to be completely honest I would have to say that my first "live" concert was at my junior high with JSP. The band was called "Freedom Jam" and the only thing I recall is that JSP kept telling the girls behind us to stop yelling and that Freedom Jam played 'Crazy Train'.

AC said...

jpx, is this what they looked like?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Freedom_jam.jpg

if so, sweet!

DKC said...

OH my freaking GOD - I think I saw Freedom Jam too!

JPX said...

OMG that's so funny!

Johnny Sweatpants said...

Haha JPX, I can't believe you remembered their name! All I remember from that show was that they covered Vacation by the Go-Go's.

My first concert was The Monkees (sans Nesmith) during their "That Was Then This is Now" tour followed by Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood tour. JPX took me to both.

My first club/mosh pit concert was Red Hot Chili Peppers in '91 with opening acts Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins (neither of whom had released their debut albums yet) at the Rocky Point Palladium.

The best concert I've ever been to and ever will go to was the 4 day Benicassim Festival 2004 on a beach in Spain featuring Lou Reed, Kraftwerk, Bryan Wilson, Morrissey, Dandy Warhols, Primal Scream, LCD Soundsystem, AIR, Scissor Sisters, Pet Shop Boys, Spiritualized, Love (a year before Arthur Lee died), Kings of Leon and Franz Ferdinand. Kraftwerk were replaced by robots during their encore (at 3:00 AM). Just thinking about that show gives me goosebumps.

Also I love to brag about seeing Nirvana 5 months before Kurt blew his brains out.

Catfreeek said...

That's so damn funny, way to dig that one up AC!

50PageMcGee said...

my taste in music was pretty meandering growing up. i was mostly listening to top 40's because that's what my brother and sisters were tuning the radio to. my first three concerts reflected this: Whitney Houston, Gloria Estefan, and Bryan Adams.

that last one was the first i was like, "can i please go to this?"

after that was when i started to actually go out and buy and listen to my own picks, starting with classic rock, then drifting out into more contemporary stuff, then jazz, then electronic, etc.

but the first concert i went to after i started following my own nose was Jethro Tull. that's usually the earliest concert i bother telling anyone i went to.

DKC said...

I just also have to say, John Taylor is totally adorable in that picture.

Crystal Math said...

Soooooo jealous you got to see Duran Duran in their prime!

The first concert I remember I was 5 or 6. Linda Ronstadt playing at the Sonoma County Fair. I was excited because my family listened to her tapes on every road trip. I left a little frustrated because she only sang Mariachi songs in spanish and I couldn't tell a thing she was saying.

Landshark said...

Yeah, the Who/Clash is pretty tough to top.

I think my first real one was the Rolling Stones at Foxboro. Living Color opened, but we didn't enter in time to even see them.

Last? Ann Arbor Folk Fest last year with Avett Brothers and some others.

Next? Trying to decide whether to drop $200 per ticket for the wife and me to see Bruce in Paris where we're there in July. Leaning against it, as I'm almost always underwhelmed by stadium shows. But, it is the Boss in Paris...

Landshark said...

BTW, is anyway feeling like we had this same conversation a few years ago? The Duran Duran transition into the Moody Blues story is triggering major deja vu for me.

The Mr. said...

First concert on my own was Iron Maiden with Twisted Sister opening at the Worcester Centrum,

Last one was Ozzfest last year with JPX, next one will be Van Halen (also with JPX)

Best of shows would be, Deep Purple, Kiss (reunion tour), Kiss 35, Joe Walsh, The Band, The Wailers, Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Whitesnake, Motorhead, Ace Frehley, The Dandy Warhols

And I have to confess that the first ever musical performance would be The Sound of Music at the Cape Cod Melody Tent

DKC said...

Landshark! I totally think you should do that while you guys are in Paris!! JPX has said that he was not a big fan of Bruce prior to seeing him, but that he puts on an amazing show. (I remember that from another concert conversation).

And in Paris?! I feel like that's a once in a lifetime opportunity...of course, I'm not the one spending $400!

AC said...

this whole conversation makes me so happy.

landshark, if you're never seen the boss i agree with dcd, go! i'm even less a fan than jpx, maybe even something of a hater, but his show at the gahden a few years back was mesmerizing.

Catfreeek said...

I agree Landshark go! Also, I do believe we did have a similar conversation a ways back.

JPX said...

I'm really not a Springsteen fan, but as AC noted, he's terrific live!

Malevolent

 2018  ***1/2 It's 1986 for some reason, and a team of paranormal investigators are making a big name for themselves all over Scotland. ...