Since I'm 70 years old and started going when I was 16, this was a tough one to narrow down. After a lot of thought, I had to pick one that stood out above all the others. It was close.
My number one: Led Zeppelin, The Forum, L.A., 1971. Maybe the most interesting aspect of this selection is that I didn't even know who Led Zeppelin was. This was my second concert ever. I was 16. My first was Grand Funk, same venue, The Forum, same year, 1971. I was talking about Grand Funk's incredible and powerful performance on the quad at my high school. I became a serious rocker that night! Some dude overheard me going nuts about Grand Funk, was instantly impressed, and we immediately became close friends. He was a guitar player. He said, "Hey, we need to go see this band, Led Zeppelin. This dude Jimmy Page, Oh Man!! We have GOT to go see these guys!!" How could I argue? I knew he was a good guitar player, so he must know SOMETHING. Zeppelin's latest was Led Zeppelin III. They had not exploded yet. Led Zep IV with Black Dog and Stairway To Heaven was not yet released, although they were already doing tunes off of it.
I may have only been 16, but I did have an inkling of what I was hearing, and some little bell rang in my young head, that man, these guys are REALLY, REALLY good. Truly, it was a historic performance. I looked on Wikipedia just now: Robert Plant was 23 years old, John Bonham was 23 years old, John Paul Jones was 25, Jimmy Page 27. I am not joking folks: THREE AND 1/2 HOURS, including FIVE ENCORES. I remember Plant walking back out for the last encore and saying, "You don't even give a bloke a chance to have a smoke." One of the encores was Woolly Bully by Sam The Sham and The Pharoahs, Jones on Hammond organ. What CAN'T these guys play??
The did a 1/2 hour acoustic set in the middle, including all of side 2 of Led Zeppelin III. I remember thinking, man, that dude was just playing bass, and also playing keyboards.....and NOW he's playing a mandolin?? I couldn't believe it. Of course that was John Paul Jones. Just the overall level of musicianship, both in the electric and acoustic sets, and Robert Plant's incredible voice.........Oh My God. Maybe the greatest rock and roll singer ever. And the material.........from hard core blues, to jumpin' rock and roll, to the most beautiful acoustic country blues. And Jimmy Page at one point playing the guitar with a violin bow?? I just could not believe that the same band could really do all of that.
I saw Zep two more times my senior year in high school when I was 18. Some buddies and I spent the night in the parking lot at The Forum to get those tickets (talk about a PARTY!! I may have gotten two hours of sleep before the ticket lines started). It was two years after the first show, and in those two years, Zep had exploded. They were now up from one night @ The Forum to four nights. I took a girl the first night and went with three buddies the final night. They were just INCREDIBLE all over again. Houses Of The Holy was their latest and they did the entire record. It was more of a straight rock and roll show, they had eliminated the acoustic set.
Although I had many more chances, I never bothered seeing Led Zeppelin again, although I had all the records. I just knew in my heart that nothing they did could ever top those three incredible performances. Honestly, I feel sorry for anyone who missed seeing Led Zeppelin in the early days.
I'm curious: What was your greatest show ever??
Simple for me. The Allman Brothers in their September 1971 appearance at Stony Brook. Amazing afterglow. Never experienced anything in music like it. Duane and the band at their peak.
Right behind this was Joe Cocker with Mad Dogs and Englishmen at Stony Brook a year before. Incredible ensemble led by one of rock’s greatest vocalists. Finally to be inducted in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.
Rob, what did you think of “The Song Remains the Same” movie? I was disappointed.
I'm not sure if this was the greatest concert but it changed my life. Allman Brothers 1974 Boston Garden. At that time I was only really familair with Brothers and Sisters album. Only remember them playing Wasted words, One way out and Mountain Jam. Never been the same since. Can't imagine hearing Mountaim Jam with Duane.
@dzobo: Don, I haven't seen The Song Remains The Same since I was a teenager. I think I thought it was fairly good at the time, but it always paled in comparison to the three shows I saw at The Forum. Anyone who wants to explore Zep on DVD should pick up "Led Zeppelin" (2003), a most incredible 5 hour 20 minute collection of live footage. Produced by Jimmy Page and Dick Carruthers. The music is produced by Jimmy Page and Jimmy Page only. As you can imagine, the audio/video quality is just sterling. It's really an amazing two DVD package. It's got a complete 1970 show from London's Royal Albert Show, so you get the early Zep, a year before I first saw them. That early rawness is priceless. You also get multi-track samples (between 4 and 7 tunes each) from the following shows: Madison Square Garden 1973, Earls Court 1975, Knebworth 1979. There also is a significant amount of TV footage, like The Old Grey Whistle Test and Danmarks Radio.
I also really love the Celebration Day DVD, the 2007 reunion show with Jason Bonham on drums. The band proved to all who might have been doubting that yes, they could still deliver at an advanced age. I respect Robert Plant's decision not to cash in on a full-fledged reunion tour and instead pursue newer and different artistic avenues.
First of all - the question is just impossible to answer. Best concert? Too many to process!
Best concert EXPEREINCE:
Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives - Sweethearts of the Rodeo 50th Anniversary show )with Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn) Sandy Springs (Atlanta), GA
Several things made this my favorite/greatest concert experience. First - I had just reconnected with my long lost cousin, Joyce. Found out that she and her husband were not only musicians but loved the same kind of stuff that I like (blues, bluegrass, vintage C&W, Dylan and Marty Stuart). Second - When the tickets went on sale - brand new performing arts center in Sandy Springs I got on line and got the BEST seats for any show I'd ever got! Dead center front row! It was like having the band play on our freakin' coffee table! We got guitar picks, handshakes and photographs at the end! Third - the MUSIC! Not only did they play the bulk of Sweethearts of the Rodeo with Chris and Roger - they played their usual set including Tom Petty and Bob Dylan covers!
Marty and company might very well be the tightest and most talented band out there! Every member is a first string allstar on their instrument.
I've probably been to shows that were just as good, but I've never enjoyed the overall experience (including running into a bunch of Peach heads from this site) of any show in my life the way I did this one. Just freakin' phenomenal show1
@rusty: I can totally relate to what you are saying. I saw that tour at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA. GREAT SHOW!! Marty Stuart is coming to The Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, August 6th. I wish Santa Fe was not 330 miles from El Paso. I am already doing a road trip there in September and have tickets for The Devon Allman Blues Project (9/9) and Tab Benoit (9/10) at the same venue.
https://lensic.org/events/page/4/
My greatest I guess is the Allman Brothers at Love Valley, North Carolina in summer of 1970. All of the original band shows were just so life changing to me. That is not to say I haven't seen great shows with the later lineups of the band. But for me the original lineup is pure Allman Brothers Band with their unique sound and big band swing. Later lineups are missing something to me.
I saw Hendrix in 1968 and that was loud and unlike anything I had seen. Never saw an electric guitar player like that!
Led Zeppelin was mentioned and they were good when I saw them. Too loud though. My ears rang for three days. Seeing Page play a beautiful sunburst Les Paul like a violin with a bow was another first.
The first time I saw some top shelf master musicians was in 1964. Dave Brubeck. I noticed in that hour long interview with Butch Trucks just weeks before he committed suicide Butch mentioned his favorite drummer or one of his favorites was Joe Morello. Joe was, as were all the musicians in Dave Brubeck Quartet, was an excellent drummer and musician. I was used to Wipe Out drummers live and had never seen a drummer at that level.
He is a clip of Joe Morello.
https://youtube.com/shorts/JIIE-GcJh8g?si=JEUCAk5JPU1TcKbS
This is pretty easy for me. Allman Brothers 1970 Fillmore East. It was the last show open to the general public at the Fillmore. I was a senior in high school and attended the Fillmore many times for great shows ranging Derek and the Dominoes to Tull to Santana. My friends and i were talking about how many other great acts the Fillmore could have picked as the ABB was relatively unknown at the time. First act I believe was Freddy King ( not sure) and the second was J Geils band. It was Saturday night late show and ABB came out about 2 A.M., show started at 11 P.M. We had heard about Duane but nothing else. To say I was blown away would be an understatement. They started strong and Dickey was incredible. End of first set closed with 3 10/15 minute songs, you don't love me, whipping post and IMOER. Second set included Mountain Jam which was heaven. At the encore ( revival ) they opened the doors to the Fillmore and it was daylight. Better than any light show I have ever seen, it was surreal. I saw them one more time with Duane at the Academy of Music on 14th st. He died shortly after that show. We had tickets for Carnegie Hall after Duane passed and J Geils filled in, I cried that night as the magic was gone. I stopped following ABB after that for a long time. If you ever had the chance to see the ABB with Duane in the early years it was something to behold. I am a Clapton fanatic and love many bands but that night and that band will always be the Gold standard for me.
Just like Rusty, too many to process ...
One of the best was when I went to New York to see Pink Floyd do The Wall at Nassau Coliseum. I think they only played London, New York and LA for that tour. Must have been February 24, 1980. One of my roommates worked for a company out east and we got scalped tickets from someone he worked with. Think they were only $45 or so, but they didn't come in the mail until the day before we were flying out. We flew out Friday, spent a couple days in Manhattan and then the concert was Sunday night. I still have the program from that show.
Not a single show, but the 1991 nine night run at MSG by the Gateful Dead is by far the greatest live shows I've experienced. I was working security (Metropolitan Entertainment) at the sound board for Dan Healy and got to see the 90s Dead every night.
And get paid !
The Allman Brothers' final show is probably tops for me. Lots of roads for a lot of people led us all there, and it was a pretty epic show. Being a big King Curtis fan, had I not missed either of the Kingpin sit-ins at the Beacon in 2006 or 2009, that would be it for sure.
Levon at the barn with Taj Mahal is a close second. Levon might not have had the voice, but just the vibe of that place and the people who popped in randomly made you realize why that area and place is so special. Taj and Jerry Douglas sitting in the TTB at the Beacon is a favorite of mine too.
I'm a big fan of African Jazz, and famed Ethiopian jazzman Mulatu Astatke is a favorite of mine. He mostly plays Europe, but just before I moved away from NYC I managed to just see him at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Temple of Dendur room. I just found out they posted the whole show online.
Honorable mention: David Byrne at Radio City Music Hall, encore was "Burning Down the House" with the Rockettes.
Honorable mention 2: Herbie Hancock at Carnegie Hall.
@porkchopbob Never heard of Mulatu Astatke before but enjoyed that performance this afternoon. Always looking for something nice I haven't heard before.
Obiviously for Allman Brothers Band fans old enough to have been there ( I saw some hot Fillmore East shows but wasn't in NYC for the end) the next to last ABB show would have to be the best concert for the Allman Brothers and it's fans when narrowing it down to just the ABB. Also some devoted ABB fans were not born in 1971 or too young. Wish that was the case with me. I'd rather be 50 today than 78. Fortunately for younger ABB fans there were many very good shows all the way through.
Unfortunately the next to last Fillmore East show wasn't recorded even from the audience as far as I know. So we have to rely on people who were there. Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Jaimoe and our Old Coot here all say or said it' was the most incredible performance the Allman Brothers Band ever had and to some the best concert they ever saw.
I saw yesterday Mick Taylor got a Gibson Les Paul he loved and was his number one when it was stolen off the stage apparently by drug dealers in 1972. A collector figured out it was Mick Taylor's long lost Paul and got it back to Mick.
It was nice to read something positive on Google news.
Wow. So many good times. Right now, I'd say the greatest concert based on performance and production was Peter Gabriel's "Ghosts Like To Travel" show in 2002/03. It was tops for so many reasons. The Police at Dodger Stadium in 2008 was probably the most fun; from the opening acts (Sting's son's band, the Foo Fighters (they alone would have been worth it). Toward the end of the intermission when Bob Marley's "Get Up. Stand Up" came on, I didn't sit down until we got to my truck after the show was over.
Like us all, good bet I'll think of others the next few days. Thanks for the OP. Always fun to think about gigs, concerts, and shows we've seen and enjoyed. Here's to a few more!
Caught this guy twice last month. Other than the fuddy duddys that wouldn't stand up and dance, they were both a blast!
Unfortunately the next to last Fillmore East show wasn't recorded even from the audience as far as I know. So we have to rely on people who were there. Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Jaimoe and our Old Coot here all say or said it' was the most incredible performance the Allman Brothers Band ever had and to some the best concert they ever saw.
You keep saying that I was at the 6/26/71 Fillmore East show. I was not and I've never stated such. You may be confusing me with OldDog who it appears was there. The only reference I've ever made to someone attending the show was mentioning Rowland, as he was there and has described on several occasions what that night was like.
"Is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho?"
As for me it would be impossible to determine my "greatest," because if I consider the performers involved with say my most favorite five or six shows, a number of the performers passed on many years ago. Having been able to enjoy them at a show I attended adds to the importance of that particular concert, makes it a little "greater" to me. I just don't think that I can narrow it down to one single show.
"Is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho?"
Too many great ones, including several Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, Gov't Mule, Primus, Neil Young and others that were really fun. But for me the best ones are the quiet ones in intimate settings, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, and acoustic Hot Tuna come to mind. Almost like being in church.
Someday, everything's gonna be different
When I paint my masterpiece.
I'm going to round out my Top Five. I already stated that Led Zep 1971 was my #1.
2. Brian Wilson, The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA, 2010. I have never, ever, been to another show which compared vocally to this one. Virtually everyone in Brian's band, The Wondermints, could sing, and there were 7 or 8 part harmonies. They did a mind-boggling 37 tunes (yes, I counted). Maybe one or two Wilson solo tunes, the remainder was all Beach Boys. For sheer beauty, I would have to rate this as my top show ever. Astonishingly, at a 2500 seat venue, there were 500 empty seats. I still cannot believe that.
3. Bob Dylan, The Greek Theatre, UC Berkelely, 2012. Just a jaw-dropping performance from a jaw-dropping band led by the greatest songwriter ever. No acoustic solo Dylan to be had here, folks. It was JUMPING country blues for a solid 2 hour 15 minutes. I could NOT stop moving. I don't know who was in Bob's incredible band, except I do remember he had Charlie Sexton on guitar.
4. The Allman Brothers Band, Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA, 1995. The Haynes/Betts/Woody lineup just completely on fire right from the opening bell. My buddy and I were 20 rows back and part of the entire reserved seating area which stood for the entire show. When Warren and Dickey were on, they were just jaw-dropping, and I think this show was about as close as you could get to the fire of the six original guys. Gregg did some really outstanding soloing on his Hammond that night as well. Forget any acoustic set, they grabbed us by the throat as soon as they walked out, and just never let go for 2-1/2 hours.
5. Jimmy Cliff, The Fillmore, San Francisco, 2013. A mind-boggling performance by one of the true originators of the reggae art form. Lots of percussion, several female backup vocalists. To my surprise, Cliff was the only guitar player, and of course he played all rhythm. When he did The Harder They Come, the roar of the crowd was completely deafening, easily the loudest ovation I have ever heard. I'll always treasure that evening, and it's so very rare for Jimmy to even venture to the U.S.
There's my five. Living in the Bay area for 36 years, I must have hit The Fillmore 25 times and I can tell you that the history of the place gets the performers' adrenaline pumping just a little harder. Among the very special ones were Gregg Allman & Friends (three times), and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers did a run of 20 Fillmore shows in 1997 and I was able to catch one of those. Mike Campbell mentions in his book how special those shows were because the band was loose and jamming, doing covers and trying out new material. They only did a couple of their hits. Los Lobos used to do two Fillmore shows every year in December. I caught several of those, and the wolves are without a doubt one of my favorite live bands. How can you not dance at least a little?
One more ABB show must get special mention: The Allman Brothers Band, Wanee Festival, Live Oak, Florida, 2007 (night #1). The band knocked the crowd backwards right from the start with an astonishing Les Brers in A Minor and kept their foot on the pedal for 2-1/2 hours. For pure musicianship, this show has got to be mentioned, and it was my favorite of the many times I saw the Haynes/Trucks/Burbridge lineup. The following night was very special as well. Fortunately I have those two captured for posterity on Instant Lives.
@robslob If I did a Top 5 - it would have to be Top 5 Shows That WERE NOT Allman Brothers Shows. I've seen the Allman Brothers (without exagerating) somewhere between 50 - 100 times. My "Top Five Shows" are bound to ALL be Allman Brothers shows!
I don't have dates, years etc. - some of these are a blur (for various reasons). In no particular order:
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery tour (Tuscaloosa, AL). Quad sound, flying piano, rotating drum kit. Mind blowing in every possible way!
Paul Simon w/ Ladysmith Black Mabozo - Graceland tour (Birmingham, AL) full cast of the Graceland album. Cultural explosion - fantastic seats!
Yes - in the round (Birmingham, AL) -Yes is one of the bands that I've seen so many times that I've lost accurate count. The "round" tour involved a circular stage in the middle of the arena. At some point of the show everybody had a good vantage point. Every show I've ever seen was amazing, but this was probably at their peek. Rick Wakeman was back onboard after a recent hiatus.
Rolling Stones - (Memphis, TN July 4 1975) - this is probably more of an "event" show memory than a musical one. Making it memorable was the undercard: Charlie Daniels, J Giles Band, The Meters and special appearance by Blues legend, Fury Lewis. Lewis was brought on as a last minute surprise because it wasn't dark enough yet. He lived across the river in West Memphis, Arkansas and I think they just sent someone to go get him. Stones blamed the delay on damage to gear caused by fans throwing firecrackers! Even at 18 I KNEW who Fury Lewis was! Most of the LARGE audience regarded him as some sort of Blind Melon Chitlin guy and heckled him through his set. One of the first 'Stones shows since the departure of Mick Taylor. New era with Ronnie Wood. Wood and Keef got busted the next day in Arkansas! Kind of a legendary show?
Bob Dylan with Brian Setzer Orchestra (Birmingham, AL) 1999? Brian Freakin' Setzer - that right there says enough! Full jumpin', jivin' orchestra - just incredible! After his set I was scratchin' my head over how Dylan could even compete with this - but he did! Larry Campbell was in the band at the time (that also says it all!) - opened with "Serve Somebody". Since they were in Alabama - Hank Williams tribute ("Honky Tonk Blues") - ended with Buddy Holly's, "Not Fade Away". Like the Allman Brothers and Yes - I've seen Dylan way more times than I can count. This was my favorite Bob show!
Highlight shows for me follow:
First time seeing ABB - fall 1970. I think some band named Bloodrock opened????
ABB with Cowboy Boyer & Talton opening. I think I had front row tics back in the day for $6.
Mid '70's - back to back dates Gregg Allman Tour with the 24 piece orchestra.
Numerous Gregg shows, Dickey shows, ABB shows.
That's a good start.
Well, if we're expanding it beyond one that I can mention these (in no particular order of greatness):
Muddy Waters circa 1974 at my student union in Lincoln, NE. The show was in a ballroom and all the attendees sat on the floor, there were no chairs. Son Seals opened and was just terrific. Then Muddy came out. He was literally standing right above me for the entire show (there was no stage). The tips of his shoes were literally within several inches of the bottom of my tennis shoes. He started the show at the top of his lungs with "I'm A King Bee, just buzzin' around your hive!" The entire show was amazing! He played many of the songs we're all familiar with and ended with "Walkin' Through The Park." It was exceptional and cost a student with an ID, $1.
Freddie King/Willie Dixon February 19, 1973 Pershing Auditorium Lincoln. Two blues giants that put on a crowd friendly show from start to finish despite very low attendance. Willie said at one point, "There may not be many of you here but some of the best times in my life there were only two people in the room." Freddie good naturedly said later, "if we'd have known this was all that would be here we would have just had you all up to our room." Willie played the standup bass with a chain hooked to his wallet in his back pocket. They played many of his more famous songs and several from his independently released "Peace" album. Yes, at that time he had no major (or minor) label deal. My highlights during Freddie's set were "Big Legged Woman" and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman." Just stellar.
Farm Aid 3 Memorial Stadium Lincoln September 19, 1987. My first "festival" type concert it was an amazing day. Sets were shorter for all performers (around 30 minutes) but it gave me an opportunity to hear the three main organizers in addition to John Prine, Dave Alvin, Delbert McClinton (w/Bonnie Bramlett), The Fabulous Thunderbirds (with Chuck Leavell on keys), Joe Walsh and so many more. Such a variety and such a day.
Crossroads June 2010 Chicago. Again a festival format with so many incredible acts, just outstanding including the "Fill In ABB" since Gregg was getting his liver transplant. Incredible performances throughout. Plus, there was an Ernie Ball outdoors stage that featured big name performers playing solo and more intimate outside the soccer stadium while the main bill was inside. That included Joe Bonamassa, Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Robert Randolph and 95 year old Honeyboy Edwards the last living musician connection to Robert Johnson. Honeyboy passed away no later than two months after that. In my music room I have one of only two placards with the musician's name on it from that day (the stage manager took the other) framed and proudly displayed. You have to ask for these things, you never know when you'll get a "yes." What furthered the wonderful experience that weekend were so many from the ABB site were there and we got to party/spend some quality time with each other!
ABB 9/19/2003 Red Rocks Morrison, CO. I've posted before about how amazing this show was and even more so how great it was to hang with so many from the site that weekend. Just an awesome experience and what a fabulous show!
"Is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho?"
the beatles feb 16th. 2nd week of three in a row on the ed sullivan show.
i was with my grandparents staying at the deauville hotel in miami.
rode the elevator with john and ringo. they played in the hotel's ballroom.
have a photo of them with the hotel manager. i was 2 months shy of 6 years old.
was kind of young and had no music knowledge but when they came out and the screams and then they played well it woke me up about music.
thanks guys.
@thing This is the single greatest case of one-upmanship I have ever seen! You win the entire internet ... FOREVER! 😉
.... But for me the best ones are the quiet ones in intimate settings, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, and acoustic Hot Tuna come to mind. Almost like being in church.
Jimmy Hall and the Prisoners of Love - featuring Jack Pearson - Gadsden, AL 2nd St Music Hall (maybe, Boogie McCain's then?). Saturday night about 11:45 PM - show's over. Or was it? As the band was walking off the stage, Jack stopped and sat at the house Hammond B-3 and started noodling some church sounding stuff. Jimmy pivoted and walked back to the mic. What ensued was another hour or so of gospel hymns. Less than a dozen people left in the club, including me and the late Randy Stephens (Buppalo1). It felt kinda like the James Brown scene in the Blues Brothers movie. I've never been much of a church goer, but I felt the spirit on this evening!
Rusty, I was at that 1975 Liberty Bowl Stones show, too. You're right, it was an event. I went down with some friends from Louisville. We slept in the parking area the night before. It was hot as hell in the stadium, obviously with no shade..(no roof area on the Liberty Bowl). As I remember, they ran out of drinks and ice around 4:00. Drinking water from fountains and hoses was all that was left for the rest of the day.
Ron Wood had just joined the Stones. A few days after we got home, the South American leg of that tour was cancelled. They added a few U. S. dates. One of which was in Freedom Hall in Louisville. I actually worked in ticket sales for that show. We sold out of 19,000 paper tickets in about 2 hours, selling thru ticket windows for cash only.
The music was tighter by the time they got to Louisville, but it wasn't the event the Liberty Bowl had been!
My Favorite ABB show was at the Greek in Berkeley on September 5th 2003 the last four tunes were Dreams-> Whipping Post-> Mtn Jam->Layla...The night started out with Karl Denon's Tiny Universe...they were so good!! The best opening act I saw with the ABB.
But when I tuned 18 the Keystone Palo Alto allowed kids in and I was there multiple times a week to see so many acts I don't even remember most of them.
Highlights: Muddy Waters...at the end of night Pine Top Perkins came back out and played solo piano as people filed out. Roy Buchanan was just mind boggling. David Bromberg and his band blew me away...They could play anything!!!...I saw Steve Ray Vaughn there as the opener for John Lee Hooker and James Cotton...Saw Albert King a few times there...Robben Ford and his brothers band the Mark Ford band....saw them together with their other brother as the Charles Ford band, named after their father. I was lucky enough to play there a few times later on and played the closing night as the support act for Chris Issac...
The Jerry Garcia Band was considered the house band by us locals and he would be there many times during the years...That place and it's sister venues in SF and Berkeley were some of the best venues and I have many memories of the Keystone family of music venues and the shows I saw at them too may to have one best
@oldcoot Thank you for clearing that up for me and here is my apology.
It must have been Old Dog, a name I don't really remember. I'm 78 and the old memory ain't what it used to be.
I do remember Butch Trucks writing on his blog more than once that he has meet many people who said they were at the most amazing show the Allman Brothers Band ever played but with many he could tell they weren't really there.
Some on Butch's blog asked him why it wasn't recorded and Butch said the recording truck was outside and they were disappointed such an amazing show wasn't recorded. Nobody with the truck turned on the equipment. It was there to capture the next night, closing night.
Butch said several later shows were real good but no equal to THE show then Duane was killed and that just kicked the band in the behind hard. At first they thought they would never play any show again.
People used to claim the show was 10 hours long with these amazing free form jams which lasted 30 or minutes each. And Butch said they did have some with killer energy and no train wrecks. It just flowed as if highly rehearsed.
But the show actually began around 2 in the morning and lasted to sometime after sunrise. 5 or 6 hours is likely the length.
When they finally stopped, some opened the side theatre exit doors and bright daylight filled the theatre. But he said that was when he and the band realized it was the next day and the sun was up.
Yes Robertdee I was at that show. Like I said in my previous reply I have seen many great shows that were epic, but none that equaled the ABB show. If I had to pick a top 5 I would probably add the Dead opened by the New Riders with Jerry on pedal steel at the Fillmore, Santana at the N.Y. Academy of music (Caravanserai era), Derek and the Dominoes at the Fillmore , no Duane, and the WHO at th4e metropolitan opera house with the "first" final complete performance of Tommy. Hard to pick an individual show for me other than the ABB show. For me it was that much better and is still in my head after all these years. Good thread lots of memories.
Wow great thread and truly enjoy reading memories from the "early shows". 1978 marked my first shows. I saw Clapton April 78 with Jack Bruce & Friends as backup. Clapton & U2 at Worcester Centrum (1983 & 1985) were special shows both musically and people I partied with. Other favorites were Steve Winwood & Santana in Montreal 6-8 years ago. I've seen 100+ shows over 50 years small town
guy and seeing shows often requires a lot of traveling.
My favorite shows: The Brothers MSG 4/15/2025 performed for 3.5 hours and the second to last ABB Beacon show another 3 hour show.
Both shows included Les Brers, Dreams & Whipping Post
@olddog I'm certain for an Allman Brothers Band fan that was the best show they ever performed. Fantastic energy, long improvised jams that flowed so smoothly and cleanly and 5 or 6 hours long. Passages of music created on the fly as Dickey said they had never played before or since.
Gregg, Jaimoe and Butch all agreed toward the end of the band's time performing years after they split with Dickey it was the ABB at its best. Their best and most memorable show. Out of hundreds and hundreds of ABB shows you got to see it. That is fantastic.
You have to feel lucky and privileged to have been there.
