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

[The56Kid]

Like most music fans here, I've witnessed a lot of live music thru the years. I guess the following 3 qualify as 'intimate':

1. The Pier was a great club in Raleigh, NC that my brothers and I frequented while attending NC State in the mid to late 70's. In '80, while back in Raleigh for a visit (I'd graduated in '79 and was working in Cincinnati), the Jim Carroll Band performed at the Pier. We loved their 1st album Catholic Boy, so we went to the show. The Pier wasn't large and, unfortunately, it was standing room only. We squeeze up close to the stage and I'm still not happy with the view. I end up getting on the stage and sitting down not far from where Jim's mic is positioned. Amazingly, I sit there for the entire performance and no one - not Jim or his band or anyone working at the Pier - tell me I have to get off the stage. An incredible vantage point to witness Jim and his boys tear it up!

2. In Minneapolis for some preliminary Honeywell training in early '82. Me and a bunch of my fellow trainees head to Prince's 1st Avenue for drinks. I walk around the massive dance floor and notice a tiny adjoining space that appears to be setup for live music. Turns out this is the equally famous/infamous 7th Street Entry. My friends decide to stay in 1st Avenue while I hang out in the Entry as a trio sets up. Within minutes, they're blasting a blistering brew of sonic punk the likes of which I hadn't heard in ages. Turns out to be a totally on fire Bob Mould and Husker Du. By the time they ended and I rejoined my friends in 1st Avenue, I was dripping wet.

3. Later in '82, I was living in Charlotte, NC, and got home from work on a Monday. Although totally worn out, I checked out the local paper and a show at the Double Door Inn that evening caught my eye. I was just starting to learn how to play guitar and Guitar Player magazine was one of the few magazines available at the time to novice players and I read it religiously. About a month or so prior, Guitar Player featured an interview with Jimmy Vaughan of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. When they asked Jimmy to name guitar players he liked, he mentioned his younger brother Stevie Ray and stated that Stevie was as good as any player out there. So this advert in the paper mentions that Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble are appearing at the Double Door Inn that Monday night. When my brother Hector, who was living with me at the time, gets home from work, I tell him that I'd like to go see this guitar player even though it's a Monday night. He agrees to join me. We get to the DD and it's just me and him along with two young black guys. We sip a few brews waiting for SRV to start. When they hit the stage and start ripping into 'Testify', the four of us look at each other and scream 'What!!!!????'. I immediately grab a table and move it right in front of the DD's tiny stage so that we're positioned about 3 feet in front of Stevie and the rest of the evening is magic of the highest order. When Stevie finally takes a much deserved break, we all man the club's pay phones to call everyone we can think of to come out and witness this amazing show. Place was packed for the second set.

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Like most music fans here, I've witnessed a lot of live music thru the years. I guess the following 3 qualify as 'intimate':

1. The Pier was a great club in Raleigh, NC that my brothers and I frequented while attending NC State in the mid to late 70's. In '80, while back in Raleigh for a visit (I'd graduated in '79 and was working in Cincinnati), the Jim Carroll Band performed at the Pier. We loved their 1st album Catholic Boy, so we went to the show. The Pier wasn't large and, unfortunately, it was standing room only. We squeeze up close to the stage and I'm still not happy with the view. I end up getting on the stage and sitting down not far from where Jim's mic is positioned. Amazingly, I sit there for the entire performance and no one - not Jim or his band or anyone working at the Pier - tell me I have to get off the stage. An incredible vantage point to witness Jim and his boys tear it up!

2. In Minneapolis for some preliminary Honeywell training in early '82. Me and a bunch of my fellow trainees head to Prince's 1st Avenue for drinks. I walk around the massive dance floor and notice a tiny adjoining space that appears to be setup for live music. Turns out this is the equally famous/infamous 7th Street Entry. My friends decide to stay in 1st Avenue while I hang out in the Entry as a trio sets up. Within minutes, they're blasting a blistering brew of sonic punk the likes of which I hadn't heard in ages. Turns out to be a totally on fire Bob Mould and Husker Du. By the time they ended and I rejoined my friends in 1st Avenue, I was dripping wet.

3. Later in '82, I was living in Charlotte, NC, and got home from work on a Monday. Although totally worn out, I checked out the local paper and a show at the Double Door Inn that evening caught my eye. I was just starting to learn how to play guitar and Guitar Player magazine was one of the few magazines available at the time to novice players and I read it religiously. About a month or so prior, Guitar Player featured an interview with Jimmy Vaughan of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. When they asked Jimmy to name guitar players he liked, he mentioned his younger brother Stevie Ray and stated that Stevie was as good as any player out there. So this advert in the paper mentions that Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble are appearing at the Double Door Inn that Monday night. When my brother Hector, who was living with me at the time, gets home from work, I tell him that I'd like to go see this guitar player even though it's a Monday night. He agrees to join me. We get to the DD and it's just me and him along with two young black guys. We sip a few brews waiting for SRV to start. When they hit the stage and start ripping into 'Testify', the four of us look at each other and scream 'What!!!!????'. I immediately grab a table and move it right in front of the DD's tiny stage so that we're positioned about 3 feet in front of Stevie and the rest of the evening is magic of the highest order. When Stevie finally takes a much deserved break, we all man the club's pay phones to call everyone we can think of to come out and witness this amazing show. Place was packed for the second set.

Thanks for sharing, would've gave my left... (well hold on now, maybe not); but yeah an incredible show with SRV I'm sure. Only got to see him twice once at the Calif. State Fair Grounds and also when he toured with Jeff Beck (unfortunately neither intimate!) Such a shame he passed so young, as it seemed he was just getting his "issues" figured out.

 

[The56Kid]

I hear you, Pupster. Moved to San Antonio in ‘83 and saw SRV two more times in Austin and each time I was further and further from the stage. We lost one of the greats when he passed so young.

 

[Bonzodog]

Cool you remember what the date was?

December 1972

 

[J. PUPSTER]

My 80’s brush with Big Hair Rock

It was very early 80’s and I was taking guitar lessons from a cat at the Sunrise Music store in Citrus Heights California. One of the other instructors there was Jeff Watson. I’d go to the store often and chat it up with Jeff and the other guys quite often. The instructor that I was taking lessons from eventually turned out to be a good long term friend.

One evening we get a call from Jeff and he had some new guitar licks and pieces of songs he wanted to show us. So we head over to his place, which was a 1960’s ranch style home he was renting. We go in and notice that there’s no furniture or anything really in the house; just a small kitchen table and four chairs. Jeff was really dedicated and focused on guitar playing and little else mattered to him (except maybe women.) We sat at the table for a while having a brew, and Jeff pops up and says to follow him to the garage (Jeff was usually full of energy.) In the garage sitting in the back was a Marshall stack, 2 X 4 speaker cabs and a 100 watt head. He proceeds to go to town on his guitar (forget the model) showing off his latest two hand tapping technics with pieces of songs he’d been working on. It was all very impressive, but to be honest we were both more into stuff like Larry Carlton / Steely Dan.

For a while Jeff was bugging different high caliber musicians to let him try out for their bands; guys like Ronnie Montrose and The Red Rocker, with no luck. He had his own band that played opening gigs for these types of bands in the greater Sacramento area. He finally hooked up with the band from San Francisco “Night Ranger” which eventually had a few hits during the MTV era; like Sister Christian and (You Can Still) Rock in America.

One thing I’ve learned over the years being around musicians is, for every one that makes it to the big stage, there’s probably 100 sitting at home playing, that are every bit as talented, they either just got lost in daily work/life routines or just don’t have the luck, drive and dedication to get to that next level.

Jeff Watson put the work in, and made it to that next level.

 

[4-earredwonder]

My 80’s brush with Big Hair Rock

It was very early 80’s and I was taking guitar lessons from a cat at the Sunrise Music store in Citrus Heights California. One of the other instructors there was Jeff Watson. I’d go to the store often and chat it up with Jeff and the other guys quite often. The instructor that I was taking lessons from eventually turned out to be a good long term friend.

One evening we get a call from Jeff and he had some new guitar licks and pieces of songs he wanted to show us. So we head over to his place, which was a 1960’s ranch style home he was renting. We go in and notice that there’s no furniture or anything really in the house; just a small kitchen table and four chairs. Jeff was really dedicated and focused on guitar playing and little else mattered to him (except maybe women.) We sat at the table for a while having a brew, and Jeff pops up and says to follow him to the garage (Jeff was usually and full of energy.) In the garage sitting in the back was a Marshall stack, 2 X 4 speaker cabs and a 100 watt head. He proceeds to go to town on his guitar (forget the model) showing off his latest two hand tapping technics with pieces of songs he’d been working on. It was all very impressive, but to be honest we were both more into stuff like Larry Carlton / Steely Dan.

For a while Jeff was bugging different high caliber musicians to let him try out for their bands; guys like Ronnie Montrose and The Red Rocker, with no luck. He had his own band that played opening gigs for these types of bands in the greater Sacramento area. He finally hooked up with the band from San Francisco “Night Ranger” which eventually had a few hits during the MTV era; like Sister Christian and (You Can Still) Rock in America.

One thing I’ve learned over the years being around musicians is, for every one that makes it to the big stage, there’s probably 100 sitting at home playing, that are every bit as talented, they either just got lost in daily work/life routines or just don’t have the luck, drive and dedication to get to that next level.

Jeff Watson put the work in, and made it to that next level.

The PUPSTER in the 80's?

ALMOST FAMOUS

 

[J. PUPSTER]

The PUPSTER in the 80's?

ALMOST FAMOUS

And that's one of my better hair days!

 

[4-earredwonder]

And that's one of my better hair days!

BIG HAIR .... BIG ❤

 

[musicmemorabiliashoppellc]

My 80’s brush with Big Hair Rock

It was very early 80’s and I was taking guitar lessons from a cat at the Sunrise Music store in Citrus Heights California. One of the other instructors there was Jeff Watson. I’d go to the store often and chat it up with Jeff and the other guys quite often. The instructor that I was taking lessons from eventually turned out to be a good long term friend.

One evening we get a call from Jeff and he had some new guitar licks and pieces of songs he wanted to show us. So we head over to his place, which was a 1960’s ranch style home he was renting. We go in and notice that there’s no furniture or anything really in the house; just a small kitchen table and four chairs. Jeff was really dedicated and focused on guitar playing and little else mattered to him (except maybe women.) We sat at the table for a while having a brew, and Jeff pops up and says to follow him to the garage (Jeff was usually and full of energy.) In the garage sitting in the back was a Marshall stack, 2 X 4 speaker cabs and a 100 watt head. He proceeds to go to town on his guitar (forget the model) showing off his latest two hand tapping technics with pieces of songs he’d been working on. It was all very impressive, but to be honest we were both more into stuff like Larry Carlton / Steely Dan.

For a while Jeff was bugging different high caliber musicians to let him try out for their bands; guys like Ronnie Montrose and The Red Rocker, with no luck. He had his own band that played opening gigs for these types of bands in the greater Sacramento area. He finally hooked up with the band from San Francisco “Night Ranger” which eventually had a few hits during the MTV era; like Sister Christian and (You Can Still) Rock in America.

One thing I’ve learned over the years being around musicians is, for every one that makes it to the big stage, there’s probably 100 sitting at home playing, that are every bit as talented, they either just got lost in daily work/life routines or just don’t have the luck, drive and dedication to get to that next level.

Jeff Watson put the work in, and made it to that next level.

Nice story

 

[leevitalone1]

Sweet. I would have loved to spend time with Savoy Brown. They had, what, about 60 personnel changes by the early 70's? (I don't know if that's true, I saw it on a poster in an Army PX above some albums).

Oh ya Kim Simmons went with the drummer who was with several bands prior. but it was Kim that is the band. That was a great time that day. Hung out until they split town. a couple hours and i wanted to be a roadie. I got over it and got a real job.

 

[leevitalone1]

That Divinyls singer was HOT too!

Sorry but that is disgusting, not intimate.

 

[Mesozoic Mike]

Warren Zevon at the Roxy in LA shortly after releasing "Excitable Boy".

 

[musicmemorabiliashoppellc]

Sorry but that is disgusting, not intimate.

Intimate & Disgusting....LOL

 

[The56Kid]

Caught Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters at Joseph’s Foodliner in San Antonio, TX in the early 90s. Only a few hundred fit in Joseph’s so me and my buddy had a great view of Ronnie and the stage. We stayed after the show to congratulate Ronnie on a great performance and Ronnie asked us if there was anywhere nearby he could get a bite to eat. We ended up eating and hanging out with Ronnie at a local Tex-Mex joint unti 3am. It was a blast!

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Caught Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters at Joseph’s Foodliner in San Antonio, TX in the early 90s. Only a few hundred fit in Joseph’s so me and my buddy had a great view of Ronnie and the stage. We stayed after the show to congratulate Ronnie on a great performance and Ronnie asked us if there was anywhere nearby he could get a bite to eat. We ended up eating and hanging out with Ronnie at a local Tex-Mex joint unti 3am. It was a blast!

Sooooo freakin' jealous, Ronnie's one my favorite blues players, too bad he doesn't have any high def. releases. At least non that I'm aware of

 

[Quadrophiliac]

The first time I saw the Derek Trucks Band was at a 450 seat theatre in the suburbs. After the show a few of us got to hang out with Derek and his band. It was right around the summer solstice and the sun was still out even though it was past 10 pm, this blew their minds and they took the opportunity to play some baseball at a nearby field. So we played some baseball smoked a jay and talked music for a while. Afterwards my friend got Derek to sign his guitar and Derek showed him all of the signatures he had gotten on his guitar, it was pretty cool. The next time he came back he played a venue that was 4X larger.

 

[The56Kid]

Sooooo freakin' jealous, Ronnie's one my favorite blues players, too bad he doesn't have any high def. releases. At least non that I'm aware of

Ronnie is a super nice guy, Pupster. He played NC about a month after I’d seen him in SA and a couple of my brothers went to the show. I’d told them about my get together with Ronnie and they had a chance to ask Ronnie about it after the show. Ronnie remembered me and also mentioned that Joseph’s Foodliner stiffed him and the Broadcasters and never paid them for the SA show. No wonder they closed down shortly thereafter!

 

[milt]

Having lived in Seattle for a long time, I've been lucky to see some great bands at great mostly by-gone places.
Early 1981 - U2 Boy Tour - Astor Park 5th & Lenora
A bar that primarily hosted Seattle & PNW bands. Seats about 200. Too long to remember clearly but a small club
The drummer was only 20 yo at the time & had to leave the stage bar area during their break.
Obviously they rocked it

Another great by-gone place was The Backstage in Ballard. Basement club with every seat perfect viewing. Maybe 300.
Richard Thompson twice, solo & with a band
The original Bodeans
Bert Jansch & John Renborn
John Renborn & Robin Williamson
Leo Kottke
The Sundays
Robert Fripp & The League of Crafty Guitarists
Dave Matthews Band
A couple more I can't remember

The Showbox across from The Pike Place Market seats about 200 with an open floor in front of the stage for another 100?
Dire Straits
The Police
Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve - That was like seeing Frank Sinatra

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Having lived in Seattle for a long time, I've been lucky to see some great bands at great mostly by-gone places.
Early 1981 - U2 Boy Tour - Astor Park 5th & Lenora
A bar that primarily hosted Seattle & PNW bands. Seats about 200. Too long to remember clearly but a small club
The drummer was only 20 yo at the time & had to leave the stage bar area during their break.
Obviously they rocked it

Another great by-gone place was The Backstage in Ballard. Basement club with every seat perfect viewing. Maybe 300.
Richard Thompson twice, solo & with a band
The original Bodeans
Bert Jansch & John Renborn
John Renborn & Robin Williamson
Leo Kottke
The Sundays
Robert Fripp & The League of Crafty Guitarists
Dave Matthews Band
A couple more I can't remember

The Showbox across from The Pike Place Market seats about 200 with an open floor in front of the stage for another 100?
Dire Straits
The Police
Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve - That was like seeing Frank Sinatra

Lot's of great shows there milt!
Isn't Jimmy Page a Bert Jansch fan?

 

[J. PUPSTER]

The first time I saw the Derek Trucks Band was at a 450 seat theatre in the suburbs. After the show a few of us got to hang out with Derek and his band. It was right around the summer solstice and the sun was still out even though it was past 10 pm, this blew their minds and they took the opportunity to play some baseball at a nearby field. So we played some baseball smoked a jay and talked music for a while. Afterwards my friend got Derek to sign his guitar and Derek showed him all of the signatures he had gotten on his guitar, it was pretty cool. The next time he came back he played a venue that was 4X larger.

What excellent timing Quadrophiliac - just got this one in:
https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...-v-bd-maybe-lds-too.19331/page-14#post-420601
Been wanting to see his band or with wife, great player!