The Greatest ever concert

[graeme]

Tonight there was a music programme on TV about the 20 greatest ever concerts and I thought it might be interesting to hear some ideas, not necessarily ones you attended in person.

The criteria weren't so much the music as much as the iconic status and cultural influence as well as the sheer "vibe"

I can't remember the whole lot but they included:

(btw Don't complain, British TV, British perspective etc...also not in order)

Sex Pistols 1976 Manchester
Elton John 1974 when John Lennon made his famous appearance
U2 live at red rock early 80's
Bob Dylans first electric gig 65
Bruce Springsteen at the Roxy late seventies
Bob Marley's return gig in Jamaica after the assassination attempt 78
David Bowie's final Ziggy Stardust gig early 70's
Pink Floyd's final night on the Wall tour
Radiohead at Glastonbury '97
Rolling Stones free gig at Hyde park 68?
Oasis at Manchester city stadium 90's
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock
Johnny Cash at St Quentin prison
The Who at the Isle of Wight 70
The Clash at Hyde Park anti facism rally late 70's
James Brown at the Apollo 60's
Brian Wilson's premier of Smile in London
and Queen's performance at Live Aid '85 was number 1
and 2 more I can't remember.

Pretty good programme with footage and interviews

I still think Jimi at Monterrey was his best: how iconic was setting his strat on fire and smashing it to bits. I just love the hippies faces turn from beatific joy to sheer wtf? and his playing on the intro to "Like a rolling stone"......................."Leave me alone and just let me play my guitar for a bit"

[Wickett]

They laid the blueprint for the others to follow...

[billy007]

$5.65 to see the Beatles. Even adjusted for inflation, I'm sure that wouldn't even come close to the Ticketmaster infused prices to see even the most mediocre of talents on today's circuit...

[cyberfiddl]

$5.65 to see the Beatles. Even adjusted for inflation, I'm sure that wouldn't even come close to the Ticketmaster infused prices to see even the most mediocre of talents on today's circuit...

The Beatles are #1 in my book. However, the concert lasted less than 30 minutes and they rarely played more than twenty.

[billy007]

Yeah, I was going to say something about the length (or lack thereof) of their shows, but usually back then you got two or three top bands on the same bill, and since that what the shows were back then (Beatles or not), it's still a comparable value, I think.

[cokemach1]

I still think Jimi at Monterrey was his best: how iconic was setting his strat on fire and smashing it to bits. I just love the hippies faces turn from beatific joy to sheer wtf? and his playing on the intro to "Like a rolling stone"......................."Leave me alone and just let me play my guitar for a bit"

As I was going through your list, that is exactly what came to mind. I'm a Jimi fan so I am biased, but I'd put both the Monterey and Woodstock concerts up against anybody. Anytime, anywhere. The thing is too, is that those weren't just great shows, but looking back, those were MAJOR events in Rock history. You think about that and look at the pressure Jimi had on him (of course I guess these guys are so use to playing in front of people, that probably doesn't affect them at this point - not to mention while history is happening it is not always recognized). Monterey - Jimi's first American show, Woodstock as it was billed was the biggest of all time. Pretty impressive.

I think that list would tie in to what music an individual likes though. I see certain acts on there that I wouldn't cross the street for, but I get the fact that they need to be addressed (Bowie for instance - not a big fan, just think he's OK).

Beatles should be there. And I bet if you took a lot of these acts and asked them, they'd point to their influences like an Elvis or a Chuck Berry or the Beatles or some of the Chicago blues and say that those were the most significant. Kind of goes back to taste.