The Best Live Performances--I start with Rock. Where will you take this thread?

It is rarely said, “They sounded better in the studio than on the stage.” Most artists, musicians, and bands hit their full potential during live performances that give room for improvisations, extended solos, and elaborate lighting and effects. Not only is the sound of the live performance more thrilling, but it also gives fans an opportunity to see the showmanship of their favorite musicians; usually leaving them awestruck.

My favorite genre of music is typically filed under “classic rock.” Although classic rock is a fairly loose term these days—the legends of the stage aren’t difficult to identify. Because rock & roll was before my time, and with the exception of a few choice live albums, my music comprehension is usually confined to the studio album. I can only dream about seeing some of my favorite bands perform. For the sake of this thread, I will be pointing out some of the most notable moments of on-stage rock, but I invite others to share their favorite moments and treasured memories of the live show, or point out any musicians that have fallen off my rock radar.

This is not strictly about rock & roll, just about good times at THE SHOW! I’d like to start my presentation (and don’t forget to add your own gems to this thread) with...

The Detours, The Hair—The Who?

Performing one of their milestone hits “My Generation” on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, wild child drummer Keith Moon leaves Pete Townshend nearly deaf in one ear as he is busy smashing his guitar.

in 1967. The drummer, Keith Moon, overloaded his bass drum with explosives which were detonated during the finale of “My Generation.” As a result, guest Bette Davis fainted, guitarist Pete Townshend’s hair was set on fire, and there is a legend that he received permanent damage to his hearing.

listverse.com...

Right off the coattails of the smash-hit Tommy (1969), The Who were back on the stage delivering what are considered some of the best performances of their career—a tour that resulted in the equally impressive live album Live at Leeds. Although this tour did not boast some of their future hits such as “Baba O’Riley,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” or “Who are you,” this is a chance to see ‘Moon the Loon’ in his prime.


The one and only Farrokh Bulsara

A well-crafted stage persona is essential to putting on a memorable show, and I can think of no better stage presence than the inimitable Freddie Mercury. It doesn’t hurt to have the mesmerizing guitar solos of Brian May and the collective voices of one of the best harmonic groups of rock—Queen.

Wembly 1986

Live Aid had a TV audience of 1.9 billion, making it the biggest-viewed event of its time, and Queen’s performance at Wembly was widely thought of as the show-stealer. It is still cited by many as the greatest live rock performance of all-time.

listverse.com...
Here is the entire 1985 Live Aid performance


The Pink Floyd Sound

So, what else makes a live show memorable? We’ve covered stage antics, stage persona, but what about fatally loud music? Luckily, Pink Floyd is uncontested in this category.

On May 15 back in 1971, Pink Floyd played an outdoor concert at London’s Crystal Palace Bowl. They played so loud that their music killed most of the fish in the lake in front of the natural amphitheatre’s stage… It also killed off the water lilies!!

981freefm.ca...

Although in retrospect, there were several factors involved in the pond incident—and the volume of the music probably wasn’t to blame. However, the legend persists!

Pink Floyd wouldn’t be the masters of the stage that they are if they were only known for destroying pond life. Perhaps their biggest claim to fame is the 1980 tour of The Wall. The stage slowly transformed itself from a music venue into a living rock opera to illustrate their highly renowned double-album.





The Fab Four

Sometimes the band is just too big for the stage. Not long after the explosion of Beatlemania, the Fab Four began to require venues that equaled the size of their popularity—Shea Stadium.

On August 15th, 1965, the Beatles sold out Shea Stadium in New York City, playing to a crowd of 55,600. The crowd was so loud, the Beatles couldn’t even hear themselves during their 30 minute performance. It was the first ever stadium concert of its kind.

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No one said the legends were invincible. Here is the dark side of the stage:

Jim Morrison gets arrested at his own show (1967)

He was booked on charges of indecency, public obscenity, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.

www.feelnumb.com...

Keith Moon passes out mid-performance (1973)


Altamont ends in disaster (1969)

Dozens of others in the audience were beaten and maimed by Hell's Angels using pool cues for weapons, a girl suffered a near-fatal skull fracture from a full beer can thrown by someone in the crowd, performers were knocked senseless or harassed by Angels in several brawls, two young people afterward were killed by a hit-and-run driver while they were sitting by a campfire, and a fourth was drowned in a ditch.

www.esquire.com...

The fact is, there are just too many legends of the stage that can’t be fit into this thread. That’s where you come in! I have presented some of my favorite live moments and performances that I can only experience through books, reviews, bootlegs, DVDs, and the magic of youtube.

Please introduce me to some great live music, say a few words about it, and possibly post some important info. Or feel free to share your best concert memories.

Otherwise, enjoy these honorable mentions:

During June 13th and 14th of 1975, once little-known Peter Frampton played two amazing live shows at Marin Civic Center in San Francisco. Although it was the first time Frampton had headlined a show, the recordings of the concert would eventually become the highest-selling live album in rock and roll history.

www.wmgk.com...

1979's Live at Budokan broke Cheap Trick in the U.S., crashing the charts with all the muscle-bound heaviness and pure exuberance that had been missing from their studio efforts.

www.rhapsody.com...

When guitarist Jimi Hendrix stepped up to the microphone at Woodstock on August 18th, 1969, no one really knew what to expect. What they got was a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” unlike anything they had ever heard before; it still hasn’t been matched today.

www.wmgk.com...

I can only go by what I have personally seen live.. Going to many concerts over the years and most of the major UK festivals every year.. I have to say this is one of the most amazing moments for me at a live concert..

Heck so many bands so many gigs, I guess my fave was Pavement with the Slanted and enchanted tour.
Their first Drummer was a madman.
Yeah I know, you are all going who? but boy this stuff was my fave stuff as a kid.




I was here and I met my first wife at this gig.
The 90's rocked

My all time favourite Pink Floyd "concert" moment, was their set they performed "Live at Pompei".
The atmosphere, the dry dusty ancient setting. The fact the only people there were the sound guys, and some local kids in the area that were wondering what the heck was going on.
Those lucky kids... Man to be there!
(I'm just posting a small sample, because its well worth it to grab the proper dvd)