In the late 90s. I went to two of the 5 night run. I got a wave from Ringo who was in the balcony (next to Joni Mitchell). They were both incredible. Also a couple of Allman Bros. shows in teh early 90s at The Santa Barbara County Bowl. One with Little Feat, one with Blues Traveler. Both outstanding shows. Many others. Many great Jerry and Bobby shows. And General Public has been great. Some Who shows are at the top. I could go on.
ELP in 78 or 79 in St. Louis was the best show I've ever been to, hands down. Others: Panic at 10KLakes, Zappa, Rare Earth, Robin Trower, Charlie Daniels Band at Kiel Opera House the night that Skynrd's plane went down, Jackson Browne, The Who w/KMoon, The Neville Brothers under the Arch and backed by FIREWORKS in St. Louis, JGB at Mississipi Nights, many Jake's Leg bar shows at Twenty North, couple Santanas, Metheny, and on
Worst show: A KSHE triple bill topped by All Bros when they were all totally downered out; the songs went on and on and on with 20 minutes of "whhhaaaaooommmmmm........whooooommmmm" stuff at the end of every song.
MusicRx-
Dregs... yeah... I saw 'em once in college '78 or '79... Steve Morse is THE most underrated g-man in music IMHO...
Also- the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. I've seen them twice, once in '80, once in '97. The Chicken Train ROCKS!
An amazing musician.Check out little furry poker chip....
This band seemed lost after their guitarist Mikey Houser died. But since Jimmy Herring has joined, they are playing with a newfound energy. These shows are fun and the vibe is as close to the Dead as you'll find in today's touring acts. It's all about the lyrics, the jams, the drums, the smiles and the good times. I've seen a few shows this year, but the Friday night, April 27 show at Orange Beach, Alabama is the best live show I've seen since Jerry existed. Yes, I felt a little old, but I still had a blast. Check them out in a town near you.
August 1990 Alpine Valles, WI
Lineup was Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robert Cray, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Crazy Leslie and I had tickets for the show, but almost didn't go, as we were dreadfully hung over from the night before (don't remember what we did, but doesn't really matter-was something really eventful and fun at the time, for sure) but we decided to tough it out and go. Have rarely been so glad of a decision in my life. Show was HOT, is the only word for it. Encore of Stevie Ray's set included all of the above, plus Buddy Guy flew in in a helicopter, to join the other guitar greats on stage. Was a rockin' "Sweet Home Chicago" that went on forever. Guys were having soo much fun taking over lead guitar and playing with each other. Was breathtaking. Especially that song for 2 Chicago gals! Leslie and I both were cured of our hangovers long before the encore, and were thanking our lucky stars on the way home that we went. Next day she called me at work and said "Dude, was a crash after the show." For a while we thought that Clapton had died too, so were in telephone conference with each other for hours, with her listening to the radio, and me doing no work whatsoever. When we knew Stevie Ray had died, we were shocked and sorrowful. But as Leslie said "Couldn't have had a hotter grand finale for his life if he'd have tried." Was also 'bout the best non-Dead show I ever saw.
Taj Mahal Trio 2006 Asheville @ Warren Haynes XMAS Jam - Everything that is awesome about music.
Santana puts on as fine a show as there is, in my estimation.
Best pure musicianship I have ever seen on stage - Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Is there anyone better at their instrument than Bela? Any answer would have to be an all-time virtuoso.
Arlo Guthrie at the Marlboro MA Middle School !
Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Dregs, old Tull, Edgar Winter's White Trash
Uncle Merle !
The worst show ever........KISS.
MusicRx
The last show I went to was in Spokane, Wash. July 2004. The woman I was dating at the time wanted to go see Shania Twain. At first, I was reluctant about it. But since Shania is easy on the eyes, I agreed to go. I was pleasantly surprised. Most of the members of her band are from Australia. Their music is not country western, it's more like Jazz-Fusion. The musicians are very talented and their music was really good. And, I've never seen anyone move around so much as Shania Twain. She is constantly in motion during the entire show.
The opening act was a band called Emerson Drive. The lead guitarist was wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt. During one of their songs, they broke out into an extended instrumental, which morphed into Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" for a while. I have to admit it was pretty good. ; )
Location
Went to an amazing ZPZ show at Meadowbrook Music Theatre 7/27. Simply the best band with the best musicians playing the best music now. If they are playing in your town I would highly recomend seeing them if you're on the fence. Those not on the fence are likely going.