Johnny Lang opening for Buddy Guy a few years ago at a venue in Jersey.Could not enjoy any of it because of the volume.
Hot Tuna for me as well, probably around the aforementioned 1974, Hollywood Palladium or maybe the Roxy. Unbelievably loud and just a trio.
Rolling Stones, Winterland 1972. Mick Taylor edition. Exile tour, opening act Stevie Wonder. Like being in a hockey rink with a 747.
Jeff beck wired tour in 1978 in D.C.
AC/DC last year-just before the singer blew his eardrums & lost his hearing...
felt like my ears would bleed
I've heard some ear-splitters in my time but a few really stand out.
Ted Nugent at the Erie County Fieldhouse 1976. My ears rang for 3 days after.
Blackfoot at Peabodys in Cleveland late 90's. A very small venue. I swear my eardrums were vibrating out of my ears. The cherry on this one was when Ricky lit a cannon off on stage.
Dickey at some club in downtown Buffalo around 2000. Another one I couldn't hear for days after.
Deep Purple 1985 Perfect Strangers Tour in Philly. Only show we ever walked out on due to volume. Foreigner opened for them.
Loved their music, but even at 19 yrs old it was too loud. Do remember Jon Lord's organ rocking back and forth though. Strange what you remember about certain experiences.
Thin Lizzy at the Tower in 76 or 77.
I was 11 when this show happened. In retrospect, I would've paid a kings ransom to see this show. Probably cost about 9 bucks then.....
Black Sabbath
Ozzy Osourne w/ Randy Rhodes, 1981 Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend, In. 1981. Runner up Aerosmith, 1978 same city different venue, so loud and distorted, You couldn't tell what songs they were playing, awful show!!! Evening was saved by opening act AC/DC, who put on a great show.........Peace......joe
ABB, Sept 30, 1971 at the long-gone Minneapolis Auditorium. I was in the 13th row. My ears rang for only a couple of days, but I still remember this vividly after 45+ years.
Here's the handbill: https://allmanbrothersband.com/index.php?module=My_eGallery&do=showpic&pid=3824&orderby=dateD
Billastro
For me it was Neil Young back in, I think, '92 at Pine Knob in Michigan. I had 20th row tickets that I won. He started out acoustic for about 4 songs but when Crazy Horse came out they kicked it in to high gear and it seemed to get louder as the show progressed.
My Wife still refuses to go see Neil Young to this day.
For me it was Neil Young back in, I think, '92 at Pine Knob in Michigan. I had 20th row tickets that I won. He started out acoustic for about 4 songs but when Crazy Horse came out they kicked it in to high gear and it seemed to get louder as the show progressed.
My Wife still refuses to go see Neil Young to this day.
in 1976 i bought my then gf,now wife, birthday tix to Neil Young.
front row, left! what could be better-except we were seated in front of a wall of amps set up right on edge of stage in our faces.
first set-acoustic-great show so far.
set 2 was electric.we ended up arguing whether to remain or stand in the back-between the raging sound, the argument...you get the picture-an evening to forget.
these may seem random:
Ryan Adams 2008 - Tabernacle, Atlanta
Journey 1983 - The Omni
Motley Crew 2009 - Philips Arena
Journey was just too loud from our seats in the back/corner of the stage. Ryan Adams and Motley Crew's sound were a mess in addition to being too loud.
Dickey Betts and Great Southern at Mulcahy's, 10 ft in front of Dickey, I made it through the first set then found the farthest wall from the stage. Great show, 25 bucks to see Dickey in a bar play for 3 hours...
What did you ask? I can't hear you.
All kidding, the loudest shows I have been to were:
-gov't mule in September 1999 at the TLA in Philadelphia.
-Dickey Betts in the summer of 2003 at Tussey Mountain amphitheater near Penn State
Hope this doesn't come off as a stupid question:
Are the bands aware of how loud they actually are? A few of the names mentioned above seem the type to go out of their way to make the concert comfortable and enjoyable. Hard to believe that Derek/Susan or Warren & Mule would have any interest in blowing eardrums out or having people leave the concert because they can't stand the volume.
Seems to be a severe lack of communication between the sound people/road crews and the band if people feel they are being tortured.
The same probably goes for other names/bands on the thread.
[Edited on 5/26/2017 by DeadMallard]
A few come to mind
Stephane mentioned KISS. I was likely at that same show and Cheap Trick opened and were even louder than KISS.
Then Cheap Trick headlining.
Pantera - couldn't make out a thing.
Metallica - Master Of Puppets tour - sounded like a mic in a jet engine.
All those early Mule shows. I think Woody's bass nearly killed me.
Heaven and Hell (the reunited Dio lineup of Black Sabbath) at Mohegan Sun Casino,s arena was so painfully loud. It really was awful. I was so psyched for the show, such a fan that I couldn't leave, but man it was brutal. And we were at the BACK OF THE ARENA.
Motorhead @ L'Amour Brooklyn 10/22/99
Easily and BY FAR the loudest show I ever saw.
Nashville Pussy opened but gave no indication of the aural bombardment that lie ahead. I literally felt assaulted when the show was over.
When Motorhead walked off stage, the stage door opens and a few hookers come in, exchange pleasantries with the boys and they go off together into the night. Classic stuff, lol.
I did get to shake Ruyter's hand though, unfortunately she still left with Blaine.
Without a doubt it was Blackfoot in 1983. I could feel the volume rip through my entire body. Not just painful for my ears but also my whole body. I've never experienced anything like that before or since, and I go to 50+ concerts a year.
Runner up to Manowar who was painful even with earplugs. I believe they hold the world record for loudest concert as well.
