Montreux, Switzerland. Early 1970, Led Zeppelin launching Led Zeppelin II album. Page had longer hair than Plant! I was 15 and a half yrs old, my first out of town concert, my dad had to accompany me in order to go. Simply awesome, Bonham did a drum solo barehand til he bled. I was like second row on the floor 12 ft away from them. 250 spectators at most. Will never forget it. This was in the casino that burned down soon after during a Zappa concert. Completely destroyed it. Deep Purple then made it famous with the song smoke on the water. They were real close to Claude Nobbs, the montreux jazz festival organizer, now dead. But even so the montreux jazz festival now keeps going in a completely different location, it will never be anything like the original concerts in the casino. At least I was there. Thanks for this post. Memories.
If you could, what live performances would you enjoy re-living?
I have interest in hearing about yours. I can think of some great concerts over the years in many great buildings, from Hancher in Iowa City, to Fisher Hall in New York, to some bars in Copenhagen.
Something I have noticed....performers have times they are more "on" just like us, and it can make their concerts be perceived at different levels. I know the three times I saw Jackson Browne, each was much different and most of that was his intent. Having a good sized group with very talented back up singers to the time I saw him solo....all great, but very different. He is a better guitar player than he may be given credit for.
The live Jazz I have been to in NYC is near the top. Sweet Basil and the Blue Note through the years have been very good to me, but in a much different vein, the lakefront festivals in Milwaukee are a somewhat unknown to most of America.
I did see a few artists before their success and fame, saw a famous British singer at a bar in Rapid City many years ago..and he has done well since.
Take care,
Something I have noticed....performers have times they are more "on" just like us, and it can make their concerts be perceived at different levels. I know the three times I saw Jackson Browne, each was much different and most of that was his intent. Having a good sized group with very talented back up singers to the time I saw him solo....all great, but very different. He is a better guitar player than he may be given credit for.
The live Jazz I have been to in NYC is near the top. Sweet Basil and the Blue Note through the years have been very good to me, but in a much different vein, the lakefront festivals in Milwaukee are a somewhat unknown to most of America.
I did see a few artists before their success and fame, saw a famous British singer at a bar in Rapid City many years ago..and he has done well since.
Take care,