By Patrick (68.74.0.98) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 03:32 pm:

The best show I have ever seen has to be the Who in 2001. I got to see Entwistle do an awesome Bass solo. I am glad I got to see them before he died.

I have had at least ten people tell me that J. Geils band is an incredible live act, but I have never seen them, yet.

What is yours???

By R&B (138.238.41.131) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 11:01 am:

THE CLASSIC TEMPS IN 66,IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.

By Chancellor of Soul (63.78.189.114) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:27 pm:

My favorite concerts are:

1)Jacksons appearance at Madison Sq Garden in
1981.........
2)David Ruffin and The Unifics appearance at
the Apollo theater in March, 1969.........
3)Marvin Gaye at Radio City Music Hall in 1977...
4)All of The Superfest concerts during the early
80's.............
5)The Temptations & Four Tops Revue Tour in
1983.............
6)The Rocky G. and Frankie Crocker Boogaloo
Show at the Apollo Theater in 1967.......
7)Linda Jones last appearance at the Apollo
Theater in 1972..........sad show, though she
sang her heart out !!!...........

That's all I could think of, lol.....right now..

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By douglasm (68.113.15.28) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:31 pm:

Fasinating question. Got me thinking how much I HATE concert venues and love clubs so....
....the best CLUB show I ever saw was the Luther Tucker/Sam Lay version of the James Cotton Band at the Chessmate in about '69. 400 people crammed into a room that could comfortably seat about 75, and Cotton and group just lit up the joint. Note that Cotton's band at that time was as much an R&B band as a straight blues group.

By arrgh (65.242.121.50) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:54 pm:

James Brown 1966 Cobo Hall, Detroit. He was on stage for over 3 hours.

By m5rules (148.61.97.30) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:57 pm:

Stevie Wonder, Hart Plaza, 2002. That show packed an emotional punch that I wasn't expecting. Sometimes it can be annoying being around that many people, but tha was a magical night...

By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 02:04 pm:

My favorites:

Jose Feliciano�Lincoln Center 1971
The Supremes/Gladys Knight & the Pips�Seton Hall University 1966 (yes, I am that old!!!)
James Taylor/Carole King�Madison Square Garden 1971
Diana Ross & the Supremes/Stevie Wonder�Garden State Arts Center 1968
Shirley Bassey�Carnegie Hall 1979 (yeah, I know, I know!!! but the doll can sing!)
Aretha Franklin�City Center 1980
Supremes (Jean led)/Temptations�Latin Casino, Cherry Hill, NJ 1971
Patti Labelle�Gershwin Theatre (early 80s)

By DF (208.27.111.121) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 02:07 pm:

1) Jacksons: Triumph Tour 1981 (Madison Sq. Garden). Someone else on this thread indicated they were there. The "Can You Feel It" video was 15 years ahead of its time. Had floor seats with my sister and cousin at the time (all three of us were teenagers), and sat next to three fine women in silk suits who looked liked the Pointer Sisters. And they lit up the herb!!!! Oh, yeah, Mike singing "Heartbreak Hotel" is something to watch.

2) Larry Graham, live at Trammps, 1996. Had all of us jumpin' ("come on now, you ain't tired!!!!"), and brought out 20 bass players on stage.

3) Nuyorican Soul, with Jocelyn Brown, Roy Ayers and Jodi Whatley, Live at Central Park Summerstage, 2000. Jocelyn Brown can holler!!! When are Masters At Work gonna put another Nuyorican Soul album out?????

4) Ledisi, at SOBs, 2002 (both in January and in May). This woman can tear it up!!!!

Y'all know that Smokey Robinson opened up for Evelyn Champagne King in 1978 (Felt Forum, NYC)? Yep. That's how dominant disco was. Peace.

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 06:14 pm:

Oh Michael, no shame in going to a Shirley Bassey show, I love that lady, her stage presence and voice are both awesome.

Most memorable concerts EVER - Smokey Robinson, Atlantic City, August 18, 1998... it is both my most miserable moment and one of my happiest moments simultaneously. I won't bog you all down with the details because it's a long story, but let's just say it was traumatic, but oh boy was it worth it. And the Rhythm Love and Soul show was just euphoria.

R&B 40 - the Miracles reunites, Freddie Scott tears up "Hey Girl," I meet Motown's first lady, Claudette Robinson.

Smokey Robinson, Pittsburgh, August 16, 2001... this time was much smoother, less traumatic, and it reinforced the sisterhood between I and 2 of my big sisters. Smokey Robinson is apparently the guy for my landmark birthdays; he figured into my 18th and 21st b-day plans.

Roots of Rock N' Roll, 2000 - I saw Barbara Lewis (my great vocal inspiration) for the first time live, and I met her at intermission, and the first thing I blurted was "I've been waiting to see you since I was 5, that's 15 long years!" And I also saw Earl Lewis and the Channels at that show!

By stephanie (199.183.163.56) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 07:55 pm:

Seeing Del Shanon in Washington DC a few years before he died was awesome this man is a great guitar player I saw him in a small club of 150 people and he rocked the house when he did Keep Searching and Runaway....

Diana Ross - Not the best concert I have been to but one of the best singers concerts I have been to. As far as being a live performer I enjoy Mary Wilson more. I liked Ross in the eighties she was a top notch performer then.

Johnny Rivers - What a guitar virtuoso and a voice. I admire these people in their sixties who sound like they did 30 years ago.

Rolling Stones - I AM NOT a stones fan but when I saw them live I was converted. Mick Jagger is one of the most non singing great performers I have ever seen he has such charisma. Dont let those films fool you he is better to watch in person too and you can experience his energy..you all know Mick is fun to watch.

Temps - What can I say these guys blow live. I have never seen the classic line up Im too young but the ones I have seen do pretty well.
Stephanie

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 09:33 pm:

Let's see...concerts..in no order of preference
1)Roberta Flack with the Rochester Philharmonic - Eastman Theatre, Fall 1983 (the night before I took my SAT's; I bought the tix & treated Mom)

2)Chuck Mangione with the Rochester Philharmonic Eastman Theatre, Summer 1984 (passed SAT's, on my way to college;I bought the tix & treated Dad)

3) Santana, Ithaca College - Spring 1985 (free concert, three hours long, no opening act, Carlos played his a-- off - 'nuff said)

4) Del Shannon w/the Crystals, Lee Andrews & the Hearts - Downtown Rochester Festival Tent, Summer 1986 (Lee Andrews tore it up! He did his doo-wop hits AND the hits of the day with equal strength. I met Del Shannon & La La Brooks backstage.)

5) Barry Manilow, Fingerlakes Performing Arts Center (near Rochester) - Summer 1988 (he did a two-act concert - 90 minutes each! - and sang ALL his hits; a true showman and great songwriter)

6) Robert Cray, Ithaca College - Spring 1989 (I crashed this concert the year after I graduated & shared some brews with a fellow alumnae while singing "Smoking Gun" at the top of our lungs).

7)Teena Marie, "Ivory" showcase in NYC - Fall 1990 (She sat at the piano, sang "Casanova Brown" - no band, just Teena - and blew everyone away).

8)Neil Diamond, Madison Square Garden, Christmas 1993 (hey, I'm entitled to my guilty pleasures! "Cracklin' Rose" never sounded so good!)

9)Tony! Toni! Tone!, Madison Square Garden - Fall 1993 (they were opening for Janet Jackson, who should've stayed home; Raphael Saddiq & Co. were slammin'- no drum machines, no digital enhancement, just pure funk/R&B)

10)Lionel Richie, Tramps Nightclub, New York City - spring 1992 (he was slowly making his comeback and was fantastic! When he sang "Easy" & the audience sang backup, he was loving every minute of it).

Honorable mentions - any classic R&B concert at Tramps NYC from 1993 to 1998. The Turn Back The Hands Of Time Tours (1996-2000).

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By fayette (152.163.205.59) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 09:47 pm:

in the 70's a friend invited me to attend a concert with him and i agreed to go,thinking
oh well why not.
i was not a natalie cole fan at that time.
so i didn't know what to expect.but when she
pranced on the stage and and started to sing.
i had not idea that she could sing as beautiful
and she could.then she began to sing I CAN'T SAY
NO, and chills started to go down my spine.well
anyway i've had a change of mind about natalie cole. she can sangggggggggggg

By TommyB (24.147.130.251) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 10:13 pm:

1964 Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars, Canobie Lake Park in Salem New Hampshire. Opening act was The Supremes, closing act was Gene Pitney. Others included Dixie Cups, Major Lance and many more. All for $2.50. My first and best ever concert.

By Nikki (24.46.200.124) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 11:38 pm:

For me there were many, but I'll only mention a handful of extremely memorable concerts/venues that I saw and will never forget!!!

In no particular order:

1) Ruth Brown, Bobby "Blue" Bland, & B.B. King at Westbury Music Fair (Long Island, NY) a few years ago.

2) Sonny Til & His Orioles in 1981 at a UGHA concert, which was the last time he performed before passing on.

3) Johnny Bragg (of the Prisonaires/Marigolds) singing "Just Walking in the Rain" at the UGHA Hall of Fame in May 2001.

4) The Kingtones (all Japanese doowop group), along with Rudy West & the 5 Keys,(and some others) performing at the Beacon Theatre, NYC, N.Y. in the early 1980's.

5) Baby Washington, the Jewels (DC female grp), the Chantels (all 5 original members), and some other great acts at the Schomberg Center in Harlem, NY, during the Great Day in Harlem photo shoot extravaganza June 6, 1999. (Some photos of this awesome event on our website at the URL's below.)

http://members.aol.com/megansoma/gdih-1.htm

http://members.aol.com/megans%20oma/june6.htm

Lots more...but these stand out for me the most off the top of my head!

In harmony,

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By Rich (162.33.234.93) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 09:27 am:

Parliament-Funkadelic - Motor Booty Affair Tour - Philadelphia Spectrum, February (?) 1979 - The props & musicianship was over the top. This wasn't the Mothership Tour with the spacehip (too young and missed those). This tour featured a Funkadelic set (with a huge smoking skull) followed by a Parliament, whose set was designed to look like it was underwater. GC came out as Mr Wiggles the worm. The Brides of Funkenstein, Bar-Kays & comedian James Wesley Jackson were also on the bill.

Biggest Spectrum disappointment was seeing The O'Jays around the time "Usta Be My Girl" was a hit. They introduced Teddy Pendergrass, and all he did was wave and sit back down, off to the side of the stage. Heatwave warmed the stage, and Gooveline was their hit at the time. O'Jays did put on a great show.

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 09:42 am:

I CAN'T TALK ABOUT GREAT CONCERTS AND NOT MENTION THE TEMPS REUNION IN 82 WHICH WAS ACTUALLY FOUR SHOWS IN ONE WITH THE SEVEN THEM PERFORMING,THEN{EDDIE,DAVID,OTIS,MELVIN,DENNIS}DOING SOME CLASSICS,EDDIE DOES A SET AND THEN DAVID,AWSOME.THOSE OF YOU WHO SAW THAT SHOW KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

By SteveS (209.219.207.3) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 09:46 am:

Seeing the Funk Bros at the Roostertail last fall is about as good as it gets for me.

By DF (24.168.8.162) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 10:09 am:

Oh, and I forgot:

Prince, Larry Graham and Chaka Kahn, Madison Square Garden, 1998. Chaka was not that great, but Larry was slammin' and Prince forced me to stop saying all the bad things about his music (Prince is a killer live!!!!).

Nile Rodgers and Chic, at Trammps, 1998. Odd without Bernard (RIP), but Omar Hakim stole the show with his double time on the hi-hat. Cathy Sledge sang We Are Family.

By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 12:27 pm:

R&B...I'm right there witcha on the Temps "Standing On The Top" tour. Everything about that show was incredible and I'll never forget it.
Earth, Wind, & Fire along with Ramsey Lewis, The Emotions, Deniece Williams, and Pockets was memorable (as are all 70's E,W,&F performances).
The P-Funk "Mothership Connection", "Motor Booty Affair" (where u can dance underwater & not get wet), and the "Anti-Tour" (dressed in Army fatigues and no props or pyrotechnics) were mind boggling...even without being under the influence !! LOL

By Reese (12.15.168.214) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 02:08 pm:

I couldn't narrow it down to one, so I picked my top five.

a) DIANA ROSS - 1977
The first concert I ever attended, and featuring my favorite singer. This is the concert that won Diana a special Tony during its Broadway run.

b) ARETHA FRANKLIN - 2001
I've seen Aretha many times in person and I much as I've enjoyed her shows, I always leave a bit baffled by the set list and the relatively brief performance. But this show lasted for a good 90 minutes. Aretha was "in the zone" as they say, and sang her heart out.

c) GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS - 1988
This was the LOVE OVERBOARD tour. The group had just had their biggest hit in years, and it showed. The repertoire was updated, new routines added, and suprise, there were three backup singers besides the Pips. Little did I know that this would be GKATP's last tour.

d) DIONNE WARWICK - 1998
She did a pre-Broadway tryout of her one-woman show DIONNE SINGS DIONNE. While the show needed a lot of work, Dionne was in great voice.Its just too bad that the show never hit Broadway.

e) NINA SIMONE - 2000
This was the only concert I've ever attended on a whim. I had none of her recordings in my collection, but I thought I should grab the chance to see her, since she doesn't hit my area often. The highlights of the concert aretoo numerous to mention. In short, I've never seen a more regal presence on stage.

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 02:51 pm:

Patrick-
I can narrow the concerts down to four:

The Who at Alpine Valley 1989- I had 5th row obstructed view. In other words I couldn't see the backup players, but I could see The Who. Obstructed view really meant right in front of the very large PA system. I couldn't hear the next day actually.

Lenny Kravitz 1990 at the Metro Chicago- Very Rock N' Roll & Soulful at the same time. Lenny was just a former rich kid/starving musician at this time. It was one of his first performances ever.(He actually was 25 or 26 at the time). The 600 or so people is the audience had a great time as did Lenny's band. They were laughing it up at Lenny's "Rock N' Roll Star" antics.

Rolling Stones at the Double Door 1997- I got a phone call at 7am to show up at the Double Door (300 capacity). Someone "BIG" was playing there. It turned out to be the Rolling Stones playing a club gig. The performace lasted 50 minutes & was uneven at times (it was a rehersal gig), but to hear the ultimate beer chuggin' good times bar song "Honky Tonk Women" performed by the Rolling Stones in a bar was otherworldly. My friend Al & myself (& the rest of the crowd) could only speak in grunts after that performance.

The Kaisers at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn IL 1998 - This group of 4 Scots perform "Mersey Beat" style music (early Beatles, Pacemakers,etc). I've seen them perform 6 times, but on this night the crowd wouldn't let the band leave the stage. They were called back 4 times through the relentless cheering of the crowd.

By Fred (205.188.209.38) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 05:56 pm:

Best club shows -
(1) Bettye Lavette and Howard Tate, Mill Valley, CA, 2002.
(2) Ike & Tina Turner, Richmond, VA, 1969.

Best Theater shows -
(1) Dells and Jerry Butler, Newark, NJ 1994
(2) James Brown, Newark, NJ 1966
(3) Who, Fillmore East, 1968

Best Arena/Outdoor Shows -

(1) Rolling Stones - MSG, 1970 (I think)
(2) The Band - Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, 1971

and I do wish I had seen that Linda Jones show.

By brianday@cwcom.net (212.137.146.198) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 06:54 pm:

recently -edwin starr and the team ,on top form at butlins two weeks ago ,fantastic arrangment of
back street as opening number ,took the audiance to cloud nine straight away.

16 years ago i saw marv johnson live on the motown
revival tour ,he stole the show ,funny ,responsive and a fantastic performer
surely missed

By Creole/Aljaydu (68.18.99.180) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 07:08 pm:

Well, I've got 2...

The Four Tops and The Temptations at The World's Fair in New Orleans!!!! Had to be there !!!

Number 2:
Soldier Field...Chicage, Illinois...1978...
A Taste of Honey, Cameo, Con-Funk-Shun, Barkays, Rick James, Mary Jane Girls, George Clinton, Parliament, Brides of Funkenstein, Bootsy Collins and there may have been 2 or 3 more that I can't recall. George landed the Mothership at Midnight...the concert started at 11am. Let me tell ya...I will never forget seeing THAT MUCH FUNK on ONE stage for ONE day !!!!!
Dang...I can still smell da funk !!!

By LeVan45789 (67.119.193.45) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 11:43 pm:

For me I have to say Evelyn "Champagne" King I saw her perform at the Sacramento State Fair in September of 1979 the same year I got out of school. She was amazing her voice was so big. She was on her second album Music Box. She came out sing It's Okay from the album. I can still remember how good she sounded.

By DF (24.168.8.162) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 02:59 am:

Got some more

Incognito live at Irving Plaza, 1999. ALL of the British vocalists can BLOW!!!!! And the band was super tight (Julian Crampton's a superb bass player).

Luther Vandross, The Garden, NYC, 1987. Four-night Give Me The Reason Tour. Went to the last show. Drummer Yogi Horton committed suicide that morning (sad). Many folk were looking forward just to seeing Yogi, the only synth drummer I ever liked!. But Luther put on a super show with another cat in the rhythym section. Luther used a circular stage.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 12:27 pm:

Steve,

Wow ! somebody else who's seen the Kaisers !

I saw them play in a Glasgow pub the same year
- they were fantastic. I keep meaning to get
their CDs but get the feeling that they'd lose
a lot in the transition.

Best recent gig I've seen was the Electric Prunes
- if you like the group don't pass up any chance you get to see them live. They were a revelation
- everything I'd hoped for and more.

By Nikki (24.46.200.124) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 12:35 pm:

I don't know how I over-looked this one in my previous post! One of the most memorable concerts I've had the pleasure to attend was on Aug. 5, 2001, at an outdoor park in Harlem, N.Y. - THE KINGS OF R&B - Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Lloyd Price, & Ben E. King! Now that's the real stuff!!! Nothing bogus here!! My good friend John Jackson (author of Alan Freed book "Big Big Heat" & Dick Clark book "American Bandstand")got me backstage, as he asked me to take some fotos for a project he was working on with Jerry Butler. It was a real pleasure to meet Mr. Butler, who was gracious and kind with his time and a very pleasant person. I'll try to post some fotos from this memorable venue and hope they show up! And the price was right too - FREE!!! But to have a chance to see these legends in person, I may have attempted to mortgage off my house and/or my record collection if I woulda had to!!!!

Nikki


Jerry Butler, Ben. E. King, Lloyd Price


Jerry Butler, Bobby Robinson (Red Robin Records), John Jackson ("Big Beat Heat" Alan Freed author)


Jerry Butler & Gene Chandler

By Nikki (24.46.200.124) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 12:41 pm:

Last photo was meant to say - Gene Chandler & Jerry Butler....

Nikki

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 12:46 pm:

Great photos, Nikki! Thanks for sharing.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 01:45 pm:

NIKKI,THOSE PHOTOS ARE PRICELESS,THANKS!

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 03:23 pm:

NIKKI,on FEB.3rd. 2000(an anniversary of BUDDY,RITCHIE,JAYPE RICHARDSON)although not a part of what I'am about to ask you here,but on this date,were you at the "SMITHSONIAN"(spelling?)
for the DOO-WOP photo gathering and mini concert?
If so,then I know who you are and I have a picture of you with Richard Barrett of the VALENTINES.What a great day in doo-wop and R&B that was.Some of the guests I can remember were,
JAY JOHNSON--"DIABLOS
"THE RAINBOWS
"THE 5IVE DISCS"
"THE JEWELS--SANDRA,MARGIE and GRACE RUFFIN
"SPANIELS--(I dont think POOKIE was there)
"TWILITERS"
WOW NIKKI,THE SMITHSONIAN is definitly the place to bring doo-wop and R&B.How kool it would be to get the FUNK BROTHERS and MOTOWN into the "SMITHSONIAN"

Sorry if I bothered you,but it just hit me when I read your post,and thought I know you.Well, anyhow,I know you from hear,and it is sure a great pleasure.

"COUNT"

By Nikki (24.46.200.124) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

Oops! Count, NEVER A BOTHER!!! How the heck could I have forgotten this one!!! Duh!!! Of course I was at the DC Concert on 2/3/00 - helped organize it as a follow-up to the June 6, 1999, Great Day in Harlem events! Oh and that photo of Richart Barrett and me - you mean this one?



For five full pages of wonderful photos from this awesome event, please visit our web site by going directly here:

http://members.aol.com/nicolegus/dcfeb300.htm

Now Count, you know me, but do I know you????? I know you from here (and from your emails), but honestly I can't place your name with your face

In harmony,

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 05:01 pm:

NIKKI,how awesome.Yes, that is the one.
It's such a pleasent surprise that you are who I thought you were.As far as myself,I was the drummer in the 5ive Invictas,known as THE COUNT,
1959--1965.I'am sure we were in the same places at the same time,and just never met.I've been to many doo-wop shows in N.Y.,DC,CA,UGHA with RONNIE I, and I'am sure you were also there at those same times.In 1995,We were at the fiesta of the 50"s kar show in MARSHALL MICHIGAN,the entertainment line up was THE SKYLINERS,THE SPANIELS,THE EL DORADOS,THE EDSELS.That was another one of my favorite shows,here in MICH.The SKYLINERS did a tribute song to JACKIE and MARVIN,I have the whole show on video,this was probably the best I've ever seen JIMMY B. with the SKYLINERS,and doing the JACKIE and MARVIN song.Latter I talked to JIMMY and he had told me when one night at the apollo,Jackie said to him,hey JIMMY,I have all this money,why dont you come on the road with me,and JIMMY said Jackie pulled out a wad of $100 dollar bills while asking him.Man,how kool.
Well NIKKI,hope we meet soon in person.
"COUNT"

By HW (68.37.221.153) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 06:34 pm:

Mine has to be Stevie Wonder's first concert in NYC after his car accident, summer 1973... the Wonderlove band, guests Bobbi Humphrey, Roberta Flack, Eddie Kendricks... unforgettable.

I also remember P-Funk at the Ritz in downtown NY circa 1981. It started VERY late and I went with a pal with whom I pacted to stay no longer than 90 minutes. We closed the place, even staying to spin around the floor grooving to the DJ long after the "P" rocked the joint.

Oh, and then I remember the O'Jays stealing the show from headliner Gladys Knight & The Pips; also on that bill were Kool & The Gang and The Blackbyrds, summer 1974 at Nassau Coliseum. OMG!!

BTW - if anyone thinks those of us who talk about tickets costing "only" this or that back in the day.... that Caravan of Stars show in 1964, where a ticket was $2.50? That was cheap for real, since the price translates to under $15.00 today. When was the last time in the last couple of years - or even 20 years ago - ANY of us saw a live concert for that little?

Pining for those moments is not always just nostalgia or emotions talking (not that there's anything wrong with that) - it really was a better experience.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 06:51 pm:

Great thread!

Folks...thanks for mentioning Evelyn Champagne King and Parliament/Funkadelic.

Thanks also to Nikki for outstanding pics of Jerry B and Gene C.

David

By john dixon (152.163.188.68) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 07:12 pm:

Back in '74 when I was invunerable and needed only an hour of sleep to function I was part of carload on a roadtrip trekking from Spartanburg, SC to Atlanta GA to see the Who. The opening act, reggae legends Toots and the Maytals, were brutally booed off the stage.
The Who were fantastic; Keith Moon was a blurry cyclone of flailing arms and sticks, John Entwistle was motionless and impassive. The show's high point was non-musical: Roger Daltrey was slamming two tamborines together so hard that one of them disintegrated and tiny gold cymbals flew everywhere, at least one of which struck Pete Townshend on the face. Without breaking rhythm or missing stride, Pete did a little sideways boogie over to where Roger was standing, lifted his boot and ground it onto Daltrey's toe. For a second I thought they were going to drop everything and go at each other's throats but, alas, they soldiered on. My favorite concert.

By dvdmike (12.84.118.235) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 07:44 pm:

I've seen a lot of concerts in my time, but I can't think of one that stands out above the rest. But I do remember one of the earlier shows I went to as a teenager. I was a freshman in high school and it was shortly before Christmas 1969. I went to see Blood, Sweat & Tears at the Kinetic Playground on Lawrence Ave. on the North Side of Chicago. I believe the current single was "And When I Die". The band rocked that night. The next time I saw them was around 1977 at the University of Illinois at Chicago, but they weren't so hot that time, even though David Clayton-Thomas had rejoined the group. He turned me off with a statement in which he boasted of getting high the night before. By the way, the Kinetic Playground is now the Rainbo Roller Rink. In case anyone cared.....

By Nikki (24.46.200.124) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 08:07 pm:

Hiya Count!

The Smithsonian event was awesome, from beginning to end! The photo presentation from the June 6, 1999 photo shoot in Harlem was due to the hard work of Arthur Crier (5 Chimes/Chimes, Halos & Mellows), Gene Tompkins (Limelighters), & Beverly Lindsay (daughter of Bill Lindsay from the Cadillacs, Starlings, Twilighters, Crickets). Arthur is retired now and lives in South Carolina; Gene is in Atlanta, and Beverly lives in DC. The photo was placed on display in one of their "Black History" rooms. This was a very important event in R&B history, as well-deserved recognition was given to some of the "less famous" artists. And yes, you are correct, Pookie was "not there" to many people's surprise and disappoinment. One last note, I never saw the Skyliners (despite my having been to hundreds of shows/concerts/venues over the years) but I understand they are still very good! And yes, I'm sure we've "met" at some of the UGHA and other music venues over the years....I'm been a loyal fan and supporter of the groups since 1979.

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 10:11 pm:

DVDMIKE-
My aunt saw Led Zeppelin at the Kinetic Playground in 1969. I've always wondered where it was at actually. Thanks!
-Steve

By recordboyusa (67.34.73.196) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 10:27 pm:

I've seen so many great shows, but my honest choice for #1 best would be:

The Brian Wilson Pet Sounds tour, Sunrise Musical Theatre.

To see this man who had been so fearful of touring, and on the brink of flat-out giving up, TAKE CONTROL of his life and his music was beautiful. And so were the performances! This was Brian on his own terms, reclaiming his songs, and defeating all of his demons before our eyes.

Not soul music...
but music from a man's soul.

Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com

By dvdmike (12.84.101.24) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 01:09 am:

Steve, Jimi Hendrix had played the Kinetic Playground a year or two prior to that, but I would have been a little too young to get in.

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:01 pm:

Mike - What was the capacity of the place? Any ideas? If you think about it, the Uptown area is/was flooded with plenty of concert space.
Uptown Theater
Riviera Theater
Aragon Ballroom
& the Kinetic Playground (Rainbow Roller Rink) is only 4 blocks away from the rest.

By dvdmike (12.84.106.120) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:36 pm:

I don't know what the capacity was, I was only there once and I didn't think along those lines. The other venues you mentioned were pretty large.

By PhilH (203.220.96.153) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:52 pm:

My turn:

Tempts and Tops T'N'T Tour, Australia, April or May 1984. They came out at the beginning of the show singing each others songs - imagine Levi doing "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" a real treat! And The Tempts doing the Tops hands-up-swaying-from-side-to-side move! First time I had seen (or even heard) Ollie Woodson and Ron Tyson, they acquitted themselves well. A medley of classic oldies somewhere in the middle of the show, though all I remember is Richard Street's "You Send Me". Levi doing "I Believe In You And Me', superb! Encore of Jackie Wilson's "Higher And Higher" with Gil Askey blowing a mean trumpet solo and Melvin and Obie sharing a mike on some "bom-bom-bom's".

B.B. King, Adelaide, 1988. B was on a high because of the U2 record, which brought him a truckload of new young fans. Some sound problems on the first couple of numbers were quickly sorted out, and he and his band were smokin' that night! Special mention to one of his trumper players, I think his nickname was "Boogaloo" and he truly lived up to it when he wasn't playing, that brother could MOVE!

The Kinks, Adelaide, 1981 - same venue as the B.B. King show above, but here the seats were packed too close together, you couldn't stand up, and even when you were sitting down your knees touched the back of the seat in front of you! Band came out with a song from their then-current album ("Give The People What They Want", I think), but Ray stopped the song abruptly when he noticed that NO-ONE was up and moving, saying "Listen, if you all aren't gonna get up and have a good time, you can all f*** off and so will I!" Someone yelled back "We can't, the seats are too close together" to which Ray replied "Oh, just stand on the f***ing seats!" So, we did, and had a GREAT time! And it wouldn't have been a Kinks show without les freres Davies shaking their fists at each other occasionally, LOL!

And another couple of loving brothers - the Everlys in Melbourne, 1997. They looked somewhat...worn (those cats have used up most of their nine lives, I think!) but still sound like they're 18. A hot band featuring Albert Lee and Pete Wingfield. Interestingly, Don did all the talking between songs - Phil didn't say a dicky-bird! And apparently they did all their press, tv and radio interviews separately, never together. Maybe Phil has given up fighting Don over having his own way and has agreed to some things just to keep the peace? (If anyone has superior knowledge of the bros' fraqile relationship, please feel free to chime in here!)

Phil

By Nancy (66.185.85.72) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 10:45 pm:

Mine is Maxine Brown last spring in Ocean City she just turned the place out

By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 11:19 pm:

Don't shoot me
I have not been to many concerts..but I must say the best ones have been Diana Ross..The woman is awesome, I don't care how many times she changes her gowns, her presence on a stage is incredible..Other people I have seen would not be appropriate for this site, they are not Soul, Motown, Northern Soul...ect..More pop groups and 70's groups ect..but Diana ...Wonderful one the stage...

By john c (12.2.233.107) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 03:19 pm:

The best concert I could have gone to, but didn't..

In 1981, the company I worked for was going to open a plant in Dublin, Ireland, They hired some recent Irish college grads and brought them to the States to train for a year. I became friends with one of them, mostly because of our mutual interest in music. One day Steve comes up to me and says, "There's a local band (meaning Dublin) in town, tonight. Do you want to go with me? Having the engineer type personality, that was way to spontaneous for me so I took a pass. The next morning Steve says, "You missed a great concert. And the band saw the Irish flag I brought, and asked me where I was from. When I told them Dublin, they invited me back to hang out with them after the concert. U2.