What’s your fond memory of an intimate show by a famous act?

[ctoelle]

I saw Allan Holdsworth in a really small club in the late summer of 1992, in Ann Arbor MI. Place was called the Ark, if I remember correctly. Chad Wakerman was on drums, which was a reall treat since I'm a huge Zappa fan. Place maybe held 100 people. There were 2 shows that night and we had tix to for the late set. I could hear a lot of the 1st set from outside while waiting in line. Got seats really close to the stage, probably no more than 15 feet away. For the next 2 hours, I was picking my jaw up from off the floor. I've never seen anyone play that fast and fluid! Allan played a Steinberger guitar for the whole show. Chad and the rest of the band ,bass and keys, were on fire as well. After the show, Allan and the band come out to meet anyone who wanted to stay. Talked to him for a few minutes, a really super nice guy. I was really sad when he passed. No one else even comes close to his playing style.

 

[J. PUPSTER]

I saw Allan Holdsworth in a really small club in the late summer of 1992, in Ann Arbor MI. Place was called the Ark, if I remember correctly. Chad Wakerman was on drums, which was a reall treat since I'm a huge Zappa fan. Place maybe held 100 people. There were 2 shows that night and we had tix to for the late set. I could hear a lot of the 1st set from outside while waiting in line. Got seats really close to the stage, probably no more than 15 feet away. For the next 2 hours, I was picking my jaw up from off the floor. I've never seen anyone play that fast and fluid! Allan played a Steinberger guitar for the whole show. Chad and the rest of the band ,bass and keys, were on fire as well. After the show, Allan and the band come out to meet anyone who wanted to stay. Talked to him for a few minutes, a really super nice guy. I was really sad when he passed. No one else even comes close to his playing style.

Wow!

 

[4-earredwonder]

Seeing Judy Collins in a very intimate setting in Central Park on a stormy summer night was entrancing. It had been pouring rain and we thought the concert would be canceled but lo and behold the sky cleared to a starry moonlit sky and Ms Collins sang in her purest voice what can only be described as timeless interpretations of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne, the Beatles In My Life, Dylan's Tom Thumb's Blues, Farewell to Tarwathie from Whales and Nightingales, Randy Newman's I Think It's Going to Rain Today and other amazing tunes.

 

[Quad Linda]

Wow!

Bow Wow!

 

[Odys]

I saw Margo Price at a private show at Frye’s boot store in Nashville last October. I got free tickets by being a member of Third Man Records Vault subscription. Free tickets, free open bar, and I stood 5 feet from Margo the entire show. A great time!

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Put in the… Strange but true and definitely memorable column!

It was 1981-82 in the autumn, and a close friend of mine was a guitarist in the local club scene. He was connected to the local music movers and shakers in the Sacramento area and had gotten word of a sort of last minute show by a popular band in town. The show which was to be held that night was at a defunct skating rink in a nearby suburb.

The band that was rumored to be performing was The Tubes. There were no tickets to buy, just show up and pay for admission. Not knowing if this was a legitimate gig, we took a chance and drove out there on this cold rainy evening. Upon entering the old skating rink, we paid our fees and were hand stamped like you would be at a bar. At one end of the rink was a small concession stand and at the other a small makeshift stage. After waiting about 45 minutes the show started, and yes it was actually The Tubes. They were there just to have a live audience to perform to in preparation to their upcoming tour for “The Completion Backward Principle.” We figured either one of the band members or management had local connections there, because they were mainly out of the San Francisco area.

They kicked the show off with Talk To Ya Later and proceeded to play the entire album and later a couple of their older favorites. They were dressed in suits and sunglasses, looking extremely cool, and performed very relaxed but tight as hell. The sound was very clean and just right for the small venue, with only a couple hundred people attending.

The show ended and everyone was just standing around pretty much stunned at what had just happened.

Oh and by the way, The Completion Backward Principle is a no brainer of an 80’s album that should be remixed into surround. It would be epic!

 

[4-earredwonder]

Put in the… Strange but true and definitely memorable column!

It was 1981-82 in the autumn, and a close friend of mine was a guitarist in the local club scene. He was connected to the local music movers and shakers in the Sacramento area and had gotten word of a sort of last minute show by a popular band in town. The show which was to be held that night was at a defunct skating rink in a nearby suburb.

The band that was rumored to be performing was The Tubes. There were no tickets to buy, just show up and pay for admission. Not knowing if this was a legitimate gig, we took a chance and drove out there on this cold rainy evening. Upon entering the old skating rink, we paid our fees and were hand stamped like you would be at a bar. At one end of the rink was a small concession stand and at the other a small makeshift stage. After waiting about 45 minutes the show started, and yes it was actually The Tubes. They were there just to have a live audience to perform to in preparation to their upcoming tour for “The Completion Backward Principle.” We figured either one of the band members or management had local connections there, because they were mainly out of the San Francisco area.

They kicked the show of with Talk To Ya Later and proceeded to play the entire album and later a couple of their older favorites. They were dressed in suits and sunglasses, looking extremely cool, and performed very relaxed but tight as hell. The sound was very clean and just right for the small venue, with only a couple hundred people attending.

The show ended and everyone was just standing around pretty much stunned at what had just happened.

Oh and by the way, The Completion Backward Principle is a no brainer of an 80’s album that should be remixed into surround. It would be epic!

View attachment 38321

Sounds like an amazing show, JP and agree the TUBES should be represented in HI DEF 5.1 Surround. Saw them and the BeBop Deluxe on a double bill for FREE [a friend who worked at a local EJ Korvettes got comp tickets] and what an astounding show. There were actual motorcycles on stage and the musicianship for both groups was first rate.

 

[GOS]

I don't know what it is....but folks on this forum seem to have more stories, more direct contact.......with industry stuff than any other forum I've been a member. Almost hard to believe....

On the other hand, I don't have any stories to add. I suppose the closest I have would be that I saw Chris Botti before he was famous. He was playing at a Jazz festival in West Bend, Wisconsin. Can't even remember what the festival was called, but he simply blew me away......

 

[4-earredwonder]

I don't know what it is....but folks on this forum seem to have more stories, more direct contact.......with industry stuff than any other forum I've been a member. Almost hard to believe....

On the other hand, I don't have any stories to add. I suppose the closest I have would be that I saw Chris Botti before he was famous. He was playing at a Jazz festival in West Bend, Wisconsin. Can't even remember what the festival was called, but he simply blew me away......

Saw Chris Botti a few years ago at the historic Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY and he signed my CD. A splendid show!

 

[privateuniverse]

Oh yeah, put me down as someone who would love to hear the entire Tubes catalog mixed into surround sound. As a 7 piece band, there's so much in their music that would make for very satisfying 5.1 mixes. Plus, they understood the value of video very early on. They have tons of footage in their vaults that could be wonderful bonus material on any Blu-ray. Heck, they made an entire video album for The Completion Backward Principle which is pretty incredible since that album predates the launch of MTV.

Oh and by the way, The Completion Backward Principle is a no brainer of an 80’s album that should be remixed into surround. It would be epic!

 

[4-earredwonder]

Oh yeah, put me down as someone who would love to hear the entire Tubes catalog mixed into surround sound. As a 7 piece band, there's so much in their music that would make for very satisfying 5.1 mixes. Plus, they understood the value of video very early on. They have tons of footage in their vaults that could be wonderful bonus material on any Blu-ray. Heck, they made an entire video album for The Completion Backward Principle which is pretty incredible since that album predates the launch of MTV.

 

[J. PUPSTER]

I don't know what it is....but folks on this forum seem to have more stories, more direct contact.......with industry stuff than any other forum I've been a member. Almost hard to believe....

On the other hand, I don't have any stories to add. I suppose the closest I have would be that I saw Chris Botti before he was famous. He was playing at a Jazz festival in West Bend, Wisconsin. Can't even remember what the festival was called, but he simply blew me away......

Actually with all the folks here that are tied to the music industry, I thought there'd be tons more accounts like these. And with nearly 10,000 members all over the world, combined with what seems like an elderly bunch that were around during the "Golden age of Rock & Roll" well
I have more little gems Gene.

 

[Scott M4]

Borderline entry here. Not a famous act but famous members in said act. Close to an intimate venue.
GTR at the Oriental Theater in Milwaukee. Both Steve's opened the show with a 30min acoustic set each. This was in a time when you went to a show with no idea what the setlist might be. Could have (should have?) left after that!

Ha! I saw GTR at Massey Hall. The tix went on sale before the album came out otherwise I definitely would have skipped it.

 

[Scott M4]

As another Torontonian, it looks like Massey Hall counts as intimate, so I'll start there for what first jumps to mind. Floors inside the first 10 rows for: David Gilmour, David Byrne, Bryan Ferry, Arcade Fire, Tangerine Dream, Metric, Buddy Guy, Leonard Cohen, Rheostatics (plus many times in tiny bars), Cocteau Twins, Frank Zappa & the Mothers (Roxy era... Tom Waits opened and was booed), Tanya Tagaq, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Weather Update, Ornette Coleman, Tegan & Sara, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stars, The Chieftains, Emily Haines... Farther back for Blue Rodeo, Mary Margaret Ohara, King Crimson and others. And from the first balcony: David Sylvian, Bob Dylan, Imogen Heap, Feist, Broken Social Scene, Laurie Anderson, Devo, Chick Corea, Sigur Ros, Nick Cave... Lots of good memories rising and many more still in the mist. I'll try to check in with some truly smaller joints later.

 

[Bonzodog]

Not quite an intimate concert of a major band, but about not remembering one from the '60s.

A friend from high school stopped by to chat & remember old times. He said, remember when we saw The Doors? I said, I have never seen The Doors.

He said remember when we went to see The Jefferson Airplane at The Swing and another band came out and played during their break?
I said yes, we never missed The Airplane at the Swing.

He said that band was The Doors. So I Googled it, and that was The Doors first concert, and I was there, and I don’t remember them!

(Just The Airplane)

 

[H.A.L.]

If you listen to early tapes of the Doors, they weren't very good at the beginning: but man, did they improve over time!

 

[GOS]

Not quite an intimate concert of a major band, but about not remembering one from the '60s.

A friend from high school stopped by to chat & remember old times. He said, remember when we saw The Doors? I said, I have never seen The Doors.

He said remember when we went to see The Jefferson Airplane at The Swing and another band came out and played during their break?
I said yes, we never missed The Airplane at the Swing.

He said that band was The Doors. So I Googled it, and that was The Doors first concert, and I was there, and I don’t remember them!

(Just The Airplane)

All I can say is....

WOW!!!

 

[musicmemorabiliashoppellc]

Put in the… Strange but true and definitely memorable column!

It was 1981-82 in the autumn, and a close friend of mine was a guitarist in the local club scene. He was connected to the local music movers and shakers in the Sacramento area and had gotten word of a sort of last minute show by a popular band in town. The show which was to be held that night was at a defunct skating rink in a nearby suburb.

The band that was rumored to be performing was The Tubes. There were no tickets to buy, just show up and pay for admission. Not knowing if this was a legitimate gig, we took a chance and drove out there on this cold rainy evening. Upon entering the old skating rink, we paid our fees and were hand stamped like you would be at a bar. At one end of the rink was a small concession stand and at the other a small makeshift stage. After waiting about 45 minutes the show started, and yes it was actually The Tubes. They were there just to have a live audience to perform to in preparation to their upcoming tour for “The Completion Backward Principle.” We figured either one of the band members or management had local connections there, because they were mainly out of the San Francisco area.

They kicked the show off with Talk To Ya Later and proceeded to play the entire album and later a couple of their older favorites. They were dressed in suits and sunglasses, looking extremely cool, and performed very relaxed but tight as hell. The sound was very clean and just right for the small venue, with only a couple hundred people attending.

The show ended and everyone was just standing around pretty much stunned at what had just happened.

Oh and by the way, The Completion Backward Principle is a no brainer of an 80’s album that should be remixed into surround. It would be epic!

View attachment 38321

Very cool wish I was there....

Which reminds me of the 1st time I saw The Tubes live ...... The main store of Sam The Record Man at Yonge & Dundas in Toronto had a huge window display for their first album with tons of inner tubes blown up and album covers all over. They also had a sign saying that there was going to be a midnight show at Massey Hall but you had to be 18 to go as it was X-Rated!! As I knew Sam Sniderman and was friends with his son I got tickets to that show!! WOW and what a show it was with topless girls with pasties on their nips and Fee with his Quay outfit and motorcycle as well as his bondage gear. It left nothing to the imagination....just MINDBLOWING to say the least.

Later after the show I went back to the store which was everyone's favorite hangout in the good ol days and the gave me the one of a kind display sign for the show at Massey Hall....not sure what happened to it all those years ago

 

[musicmemorabiliashoppellc]

Ha! I saw GTR at Massey Hall. The tix went on sale before the album came out otherwise I definitely would have skipped it.

Cool so did I

 

[musicmemorabiliashoppellc]

As another Torontonian, it looks like Massey Hall counts as intimate, so I'll start there for what first jumps to mind. Floors inside the first 10 rows for: David Gilmour, David Byrne, Bryan Ferry, Arcade Fire, Tangerine Dream, Metric, Buddy Guy, Leonard Cohen, Rheostatics (plus many times in tiny bars), Cocteau Twins, Frank Zappa & the Mothers (Roxy era... Tom Waits opened and was booed), Tanya Tagaq, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Weather Update, Ornette Coleman, Tegan & Sara, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stars, The Chieftains, Emily Haines... Farther back for Blue Rodeo, Mary Margaret Ohara, King Crimson and others. And from the first balcony: David Sylvian, Bob Dylan, Imogen Heap, Feist, Broken Social Scene, Laurie Anderson, Devo, Chick Corea, Sigur Ros, Nick Cave... Lots of good memories rising and many more still in the mist. I'll try to check in with some truly smaller joints later.

Very cool....I was at the Gilmour show as well and even have pictures from it. I also saw Rush for the All The World's A Stage, Bob Dylan, The Strawbs, Gordon Lightfoot, Stray Cats, Big Country, Joe Satriani, REM (didn't like that show, thought they were quite boring), Human League (lameist show I EVER saw)Simple Minds, Asia, Tangerine Dream, The Romantics, U2 same night Roxy Music played Maple Leaf Gardens (glad I chose U2) and what was that band that did the song "I've Got Drugs In My Pocket", forgot their name?