Here’s an old thread on a topic that perhaps only Rock Town Hall is fit to fully document. Sadly some of the videos Townspeople posted no longer exist where they once did on YouTube, but maybe we can find new postings of those clips. I wouldn’t be surprised if we missed some killer stage formations way back when, so feel free to flesh out the record. I’m also curious, in revisiting this post, if we might begin the necessary task of cataloging and naming these memorable formations, so that future generations can readily identify a shared bank of archetypal formations to try out and expand on themselves.
One final note: It may be this thread where the controversial ZZ Top bison and buzzards tour first came up in discussion in the Halls of Rock. Bless you, General Slocum.
This post initially appeared 7/24/08.
Quick! Just like I’m sure you can envision the stage formation of The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, as pictured above, there must be other stage formations that are burned in your memory. Perhaps it’s The Rolling Stones on those risers, playing “Paint it Black” on one of their Sullivan appearances. Perhaps, like me, you occasionally take time to linger over the memory of Pere Ubu gathered in a philosophic group face off as they play “Birdies” in Urgh! A Music War.
What are the iconic rock stage formation that are burned in your memory? They can be alignments you saw in concert films, photos, or even live concerts you attended.
Burn, baby, burn!
