Best concert you've attended

My most memorable concerts were shows that didn’t actually happen. Tom Waits falling off the stage of the Washington University chapel in 1976, before playing a note. Mink DeVille being booed off the St Louis Opera House stage by fans of Mahogany Rush, for whom Mink was opening. Mink played 1.5 songs. But, these, of course, are unhappy memories.

Shows I saw as a teenager and young adult stand out as my most thrilling concert experiences:

Grande Ballroom, Detroit: MC5 (once, 1970 or so, backed by the Flamin’ Groovies, who were sensational) and the Stooges each knocked me out more than once; Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Van Morrison, circa 1968; The Who & Cocker, 1969; the Faces, 1969.

Easttown Theater, Detroit: Eric Burdon and War, Ten Years After, Mountain, 1969-70; Mad Dogs and Englishmen, 1970; Capt Beefheart, 1971; Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes, Dr John, 1971.

J Geils at Cinderella Ballroom, Detroit, 1972

Mingus, Strata Gallery, Detroit, 1973

CBGBs: Mink DeVille and Talking Heads, 1976; Television, 1976-77?

E St Band, St Louis Opera House, 1978

Human Arts Ensemble, a church basement in N St Louis, 1978-9?

I hadn’t intended to go on so long, but the hits just keep coming! One more for good measure:

Art Ensemble of Chicago, Detroit Institute of Arts, 1984

Deodato and Earth, Wind, and Fire. 1974, at Waikiki’s park only steps from the famed International Market Place. I was 18, and serving Uncle Sam at Pearl Harbor. Those were the days!

@russbutton Dexter Gordon released 4 albums from the music recorded live at Keystone Korner circa 1974. The 4 album series was phenomenal, and still one of my favorite Dext recordings! I have the albums and a 4 cd set.

The 1967 Summer of Love gets my vote for the greatest entry! How many of you youngsters even know what that was? Google it! lol. I grew up in Sacramento, Ca, some 80 miles from Haight Ashbury. I was 12 in ‘67 and had I’d been just a few years older I’d have been there. Talk about history!

Tuscaloosa ‘72 Stones Exile tour is my forever reference point for concerts.

Martha Reeves & Vandellas got things revved and then “Little” Stevie Wonder stepped up/ took over…about 4 months prior to release of Talking Book.

His greatness was apparent & unexpected, hard to describe (as always) when time stops and you’re taken out of your head by a musical tour-de-force…distinctly remember thinking that if the Stones had suddenly canceled, no worries, I got my $7.50 worth.

if there has ever been a greater front man than Mr. Jagger I’d like to see ‘em, as he and the original recording musicians tapped into the electricity of the audience and put on a galvanizing concert. Bianca we standing off-stage in front of me, a dude 20 seats down was head-to-toe in full clown suit makeup/regalia,  And Exile on Main Street came alive.

Chip Monck had the rear mounted, light reflecting mirror array behind the stage so everyone could see unobstructed. Keith and Mick Taylor burned, Bobby Keys honked, Charlie pounded and Nicky Hopkins added his understated greatness to everything.

Walking to the car I felt like I was floating above the grass, on a natural high…like a great show should be.