Apr 112012
In my ongoing trial on Rock Crimes for having turned down the opportunity to see The Rolling Stones live from the second row of Chicago’s big arena circa 1981, Townsperson hogdog suggested an excellent offshoot thread. Check out hogdog’s tale and cool thread suggestion:
In a semi similar situation I have to confess to attending a “Clash” show on their final tour in support of the “mush” album Cut The Crap. Had a great time, had no other Clash show to compare it to, and the show and energy itself was top notch for what it was.
So how about a thread for: Shows I almost did not go to but was glad I did!
I look forward to your tales of reluctantly acquired good fortune.
Grateful Dead – Lakeland, Florida September 1982.
I was never a Dead fan, though I had plenty of Deadhead friends. I thought their records were pretty boring for the most part, and I just didn’t see what the all the fuss was about. “But, Tony, ya gotta see them live!” Yeah, yeah, yadda, yadda….
My friends had to twist my arm for me to ride two hours to Lakeland to see a show I was none too excited about. We didn’t even have any experience-enhancing drugs with us. Bummer. However, the show opened my eyes – the Dead could be quite impressive on a good night. They took their basic songs and slowly unwound them out to Neptune and back. Not like the studio stuff at all. Also lots of weird stuff to see in the crowd, though I came close to decking a wannabe flower child who was flinging himself around, including arms in my face. So while I’m still not a Dead fan, I do understand what people saw in them and I’m glad I got to see them in good form.
I wrote about one of these experiences a few years ago, when I agreed with much trepidation to attend an “unplugged” North Mississippi Allstars show with a good friend. I ONLY decided to go because I like this friend so much. I was terrified that I would hate the band, hate the crowd, and ultimately, as is so often the case when I really don’t like a band, hate myself. Turns out the band, the audience, and the entire experience were great!
https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/index.php/brian-jones-wet-dream-north-mississippi/
Re: the pic posted at the top of this thread: how did Charlie Sheen (with mohawk) get into that shot?
I’ve stumbled across more acts at Glastonbury than I can remember, if that counts, and the number of good acts I’ve randomly wandered into is probably equal to the ones I’ve looked forward to all weekend who have been rubbish on the night. The ones that come immediately to mind are:
Joan Armatrading, who was just starting up as I wandered past the field she was playing in and who was absolutely mesmerising – her guitar playing is extraordinary, without all the self-immolation that was going on in that weird video we were supposed to watch without sound last week.
John Martyn, whose music I never really got into, but who was playing at about midnight on the last night in a tiny tent up at the top of the circus field, and was mind-blowing.
Tori Amos on the main stage on a sunny afternoon, which led me to buy and listen to quite a few of her albums in the hope of finding something that would re-capture the magic of that set. This was finally put to bed when I saw her again headlining the Acoustic Stage a few years back, the point where I had to admit defeat.
Away from Glasto, I took the kids to see a pantomime starring Jimmy Osmond, because nobody else would. To say that my hopes of enjoying the evening were not high would be an understatement, and I entered the theatre with just about the heaviest heart I’ve ever taken into a show, but I left completely stunned by the professionalism and stage presence of the guy. I expect to be universally mocked for this, but I enjoyed every moment of that show, and still can’t quite believe that I not only went but am prepared to admit that it’s one of the best nights out I’ve ever had.
I think I’ve written here before about accompanying a friend who talked me into seeing Nancy Sinatra at a House of Blues in (I think) 2005, and it was surprisingly excellent.
In 1981 I was a college student. I missed the Rolling Stones a few years prior and somehow a few friends somehow last second got tickets and saw the show. They loved it. So, in 1981 I didn’t want to miss out again. I had a chance to get tickets but they cost 50 bucks per the scalper’s price. That seemed like a lot of money at the time and it really was for me. Anyway, after having to think about it long and hard, I finally decided to go. Even while the show was going on I realized how stupid I was being for almost not paying the ticket price. I can’t imagine even wanting to see them on any future tours so I feel like I got my last legit shot at them and saw them.
Side note: Years later I would pay that same price to see Ryan Adams but now it was simply the going ticket price. I would during that show lament that I paid so much to see such a horrid, self indulgent performance.
PS: To strange that I just now see Mod’s prior post on 1982 Stones tour.