Relix Magazines 50 Greastest Concerts

[Phatpapa]

The mag’s writers spoke with musicians, producers, agents, promoters, managers, publicists, critics, and other industry heavyweights. The main criteria for their judgment is the concerts had to take place on American soil and could be loosely classified as rock, pop, jazz, blues, reggae, metal, soul, folk, funk or punk. The shows also are within the last 50 years

It’s sad, but I have to admit I didn’t get a chance to see a single one of their picks. :( (Hell, I wasn’t even born yet for 7 of them)
I am sure some of you have seen at least a few!



Please chime in music lovers:

#50 Arcade Fire---Coachella, Indio, CA May 1, 2005
#49 Pantera---------Santa Monica Civic Center May 2, 1994
#48 Phil Ochs------Carnegie Hall NY, NY March 27, 1970
#47 B.B. King------Regal Theater, Chicago Nov 21, 1964
#46 H.O.R.D.E.----Cumberland County Civic Center, Cumberland, ME July 9, 1992
#45 Janis Joplin----Monterey Pop Festival July 17, 1967
#44 Radiohead-----Santa Barbara Bowl June 30, 2001
#43 Rage Against—Democratic National Conv. Los Angeles Aug 14, 2000
#42 My Morning Jacket-Bonnaroo June12, 2004
#41 The Clash------Bonds International Casino NY, NY June 1, 1981
#40 Muddy Waters-Checkerboard Lounge Chicago Nov 22, 1981
#39 Metallica------Thomas & Mack Center, Vegas January 4, 1992
#38 Andy Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable and Velvet Underground The Trip
LA, CA May 3, 1966
#37 Bob Dylan----Boston Music Hall Nov 21, 1975 (2nd show)
#36 Pearl Jam----Soldier Field, Chicago July 11, 1995
#35 Nirvana------Sony Music Studios, NY, NY Nov 18, 1993
#34 Various Artists for Bangladesh The Garden, NY, NY Aug 1, 1971
#33 Miles Davis The Plugged Nickel Chicago Dec 22, 1965 (2nd show)
#32 MC5---------Grande Ballroom, Detroit Oct 30, 1968
#31 Roosevelt Sykes, BB King, Bukka White, Zigaboo Modeliste, George Porter and Professor
Longhair Jazz Fest April 14, 1973
#30 James Brown Boston Garden April 5, 1968
#29 Cream-------The Garden. NY, NY Nov 2, 1968
#28 Michael Jackson—Motown 25, Pasadena Civic Auditorium March 25, 1986
#27 Minor Threat-------930 Club Washington, DC Sept 23, 1983
#26 The Allman Brothers Band—Fillmore East, NY, NY June 26, 1971
#25 Bruce Springsteen---The Bottom Line, NY, NY Aug 14, 1975
#24 U2-------------Red Rocks Amphitheatre, CO June 5, 1985
#23 The Ramones---CBGB NY, NY August 16, 1974
#22 Grateful Dead---Fillmore West San Francisco March 1, 1969
#21 Lollapalooza ’91—Shorline Amphetheatre, CA July 26th, 1991
#20 Aretha Franklin----Fillmore West, San Fran March 7, 1971
#19 The Rolling Stones-- Madison Square Garden July 26, 1972
#18 John Coltrane-------The Village Vanguard, NY, NY Nov 3, 1961
#17 Otis Redding with Booker T & the M.G.’s --Monterey Pop Festival June 17, 1967
#16 The Who-----------Grande Ballroom, Detroirt May 9, 1969
#15 Bob Marley and the Wailers—The Roxy, Hollywood May 26, 1976
#14 Led Zeppelin----The Forum LA, CA June 25, 1972
#13 Talking Heads---Pantages Theatre LA, CA Dec 18, 1983
#12 Pink Floyd-------Nassau Veterens Mem Coliseum Feb 28, 1980
#11 David Bowie----Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Oct 20, 1972
#10 Phish-------------Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation FL Dec 31, 1999
#9 Elvis-------------NBC Studios Burbank, CA Dec 3, 1968
#8 Sex Pistols------Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco Jan 14, 1978
#7 The Band --------Winterland Ballroom Nov 25, 1976
#6 The Beatles--------Shea Stadium, NY Aug 15, 1968
#5 James Brown------Apollo Theatre, NY, NY Oct 24, 1962
#4 Jimi Hendrix-------Woodstock – NY Aug 18, 1969
#3 Bob Dylan----------Newport Folk Festival Newport, RI July 25, 1966
#2 The Beatles---------Ed Sullivan Theater, NY, NY Feb 9, 1964
#1 Various Artists Washington Mall Washington, DC Aug 28, 1963 (inclucing, Joan Baez, Pete
Segar, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Mahalia Jackson and a lil speech by Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr)

and I would have to say, by this list, that California would be considered the best state to host concerts.

I pondered putting this thread under "General Music" but decided to put it here since one of the picks occured at Jazz Fest

[rosetree]

no Bon-Jovi?????
What's up with that?;)

For me, the only concert that I shed a tear was Bruce at Jazz Fest....
...and I guess that the writers have never been to a Patry!

[chopitulas]

I did go to the Fillmore West for the Dead show on 3.1.69 and it was a life changer. Never listened to music quite the same again. It was like they were channeling the music from on high, Garcia and Lesh in particular. Funny thing was Pentangle with Bert Jansch and John Renbourne was also on the bill, doing their set seated in chairs.

[MormonMatthew]

This is so subjective as to be utterly meaningless...........

Obviously there are some great nights of music on the list (The Band's Last Waltz, Hendrix's Woodstock set, Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense shows, George Harrisons' Concert For Bangladesh) but to attempt to rank something as personal as individual reactions to great live music seems like a futile waste of time to me.

[revjimk]

MM said, "This is so subjective as to be uttterly meaningless..........."
Of course
I didn't go to any of these shows, but was close:
Stones 1972 Madison Square Garden: I was outside but couldn't scrounge a ticket. I'm pretty sure that besides the Stones, this bill included an outrageous lineup of maybe BB King, Ike & Tina; & Stevie Wonder.
Hendrix at Woodstock: I was there but left Sunday morning after Jefferson Airplane, was sleep deprived, burnt out but satisfied, & was starting a new summer job Monday.
rev

[duende]

This is so subjective as to be utterly meaningless...........

Obviously there are some great nights of music on the list (The Band's Last Waltz, Hendrix's Woodstock set, Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense shows, George Harrisons' Concert For Bangladesh) but to attempt to rank something as personal as individual reactions to great live music seems like a futile waste of time to me.

It's also a masochistic exercise to read someone ELSE's list of greatest shows, knowing full well you might have hit one of the purportedly finest shows ever...

on a related note, however, it should be said that any greatest "list" is being amended every week by new/old talent, as evidenced (for me anyway) with my download of the 9/19 & 9/20 Furthur shows from the Fox in Oaksterdam. Holy Toledo! My deadhead wife asked at one point while listening to the Sunday 9/20 show "hmmmm... mid-80's?". She looked blown-away when I replied "last month". GO SEE THESE GUYS!

http://www.dead.net/features/road/night-three-furthur-finale-fox

[Phatpapa]

This is so subjective as to be utterly meaningless...........

Obviously there are some great nights of music on the list (The Band's Last Waltz, Hendrix's Woodstock set, Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense shows, George Harrisons' Concert For Bangladesh) but to attempt to rank something as personal as individual reactions to great live music seems like a futile waste of time to me.

I totally agree, MM. (there weren't any Panic shows that made it :rolleyes: ) I just thought it would be neat to hear from anyone here who had actually been to any of these shows. And what their experience is like. I take it you've not seen any?

[duende]

I just thought it would be neat to hear from anyone here who had actually been to any of these shows. And what their experience is like. I take it you've not seen any?

Myself, no... but my wife always wins with the Thanksgiving dinner at the Last Waltz trump card! I can never be cooler than that, tho' helping the road manager with the Subdude's gear last Monday night at the Sierra Nevada Brewery was pretty cool (got to carry John's accordian & Steve's mandolin after their acoustic in-the-audience bit and go back-stage for a beer).

[ScoopJohnD]

I guess there have been no great live shows anywhere else in world besides the United States according to this list.

And where the *&*@ is the 1974 Schaefer Music Festival Uriah Heep/Manfred Mann's Earth Band show at the Wollman Rink in Central Park that I was at. Just proves this list is bogus. ;)

[seadog]

Mine is always the one I am currently at

[Blitzzzzz]

Mine is always the one I am currently at

Amen, Seadog. Be here now!
Well, I was in the same state for two of them, but this is a pretty bi-coastal list. Besides, if you were there, of course it was great, if you weren't, how would you really know?? Live recording help, but as Johnny Adams sang, "It Ain't the Same Thing!":cool:

[seadog]

Like last night...

I was at a show by the Avett brothers. (great...simply great..) And I could not think of anyplace I would rather be at the time...

And while watching their show..I am wondering what stage/tent they would play at fest...They are a roots/folk/grunge/ rock band. They reminded me of the Band with their ernestness. Maybe the Blues tent?? I mean if Doc Watson can play there,,,,(although he is more rural blues I guess.)

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Like last night...

I was at a show by the Avett brothers. (great...simply great..) And I could not think of anyplace I would rather be at the time...

And while watching their show..I am wondering what stage/tent they would play at fest...They are a roots/folk/grunge/ rock band. They reminded me of the Band with their ernestness. Maybe the Blues tent?? I mean if Doc Watson can play there,,,,(although he is more rural blues I guess.)

This year they had them on Fais Do Do 1st Sunday.

[seadog]

I am a 2nd weekender...so I don't even look anymore who plays first weekend...just makes me sad.

But I thought Fais Do Do would be right...but I always thought that stage was pretty limited to Lousianna Acts...

Learn something new every day.

[Belle]

Mine is always the one I am currently at

Perfect!!!

[stlbarb]

and I would have to say, by this list, that California would be considered the best state to host concerts.


weather & caliber of pot?

[Baconwrapped]

This is so subjective as to be utterly meaningless...........

Obviously there are some great nights of music on the list (The Band's Last Waltz, Hendrix's Woodstock set, Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense shows, George Harrisons' Concert For Bangladesh) but to attempt to rank something as personal as individual reactions to great live music seems like a futile waste of time to me.

one person's futility is another person's career.

hello!! :D

[Phatpapa]

Mine is always the one I am currently at

Amen, Brother

weather & caliber of pot? :D hehe

Well, Colorado would be #2 on that list if those were used as criteria even without our music scene

[Leni]

I saw Bob Marley and the Wailers at The Roxy in 1976. The Roxy is an intimate club and it was unbelievable to see Bob Marley in that venue. Another fave concert at The Roxy back in the day were The Temptations at the time that "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" came out. They had a full Las Vegas style show with an orchestra in the "pit" and when the curtain opened there they were in hot pink suede tuxedos. Another great concert years and years ago there was, believe it or not -- Dolly Parton. What a commanding presence, what a voice.

[stlbarb]

I saw Bob Marley and the Wailers at The Roxy in 1976. The Roxy is an intimate club and it was unbelievable to see Bob Marley in that venue. Another fave concert at The Roxy back in the day were The Temptations at the time that "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" came out. They had a full Las Vegas style show with an orchestra in the "pit" and when the curtain opened there they were in hot pink suede tuxedos. Another great concert years and years ago there was, believe it or not -- Dolly Parton. What a commanding presence, what a voice.

i cant believe you got into the roxy when you were only 7 years old. :D