Okay, so it’s my second childhood. I was busy with children for a lot of years and didn’t hear much music, and didn’t realize what I was missing. But a while back I came across a library book by Aerosmith and it was fascinating, so I got three of their CDs (also from the library–I worked there), and of course that led to CDs of other artists, and copies of songs I like a lot that got transferred to my computer. There’s quite a bunch here now, and I especially like the ones from live shows. I think being there would have been a real kick, but I can only fantasize. They’re not modern anymore, but in hopes some of you were fans of these bands, did you see any of these in person that were memorable? Genesis, Beck, Blues Traveler, Dr. John, Jimmy Buffet, Joe Cocker, Nirvana, Richard Marx, Santana, the Beatles? I know I’m years too late to see any of them in live shows (except for Jimmy Buffet, I guess), but are there videos I could look for? Or DVDs?
A friend of mine saw The Beatles in concert in 1964. She said that the constant screaming of the audience made it virtually impossible to hear the music, but she loved it anyway. As is the case with many concerts, the important thing was just to be there, not to hear any music.
To get an idea what this was like, get the Beatles on Ed Sullivan DVD set.
Watch the kids screaming and the adults cringing.
I’ve seen Jimmy Buffet in concert. His fan tend to make the concerts into a themed event with huge tailgate parties with tropical drinks, clothing, parrot hats etc. The concert is much as you would expect at least it was for me. He plays a lot of old favorites and people dance and sing along. He has some props and tropical scenery on stage. At one point, I think he road a surf boad across the stage. It was a good time and I would probably do it again. Buffet’s concerts are still hugely popular in Boston when he plays here each summer.
Joe Cocker had a tour called Mad Dogs and Englishmen – get the album at least (desert island album for me) – but also check out the movie.
I’ve only heard Santana in concert once – well, Carlos Santana – in a free solo acoustic concert that had about 50 people at it. What can I say? I went to college in Southern California 30 years ago.
Beck’s show at the Orpheum in Boston (midnight vultures tour) was the best live show I have ever seen in my entire life. Warped my fragile little brain.
I worked for Blues Traveler’s record company in the early 90s and saw them a whole huge bunch of times. Good show, pretty much always.
Genesis - Yes
Beck - Yes
Blues Traveller - Yes
Dr John - No
Jimmy Buffet - Yes
Joe Cocker - Yes
Nirvana - No
Richard Marx - Yes
Santana - Yes
The Beatles - No
And hundreds of others large and small.
Blues Traveller has a good live CD out called ‘Live From the Fall’, I believe. Nice CD but I found them a bit dull live. I understand the joy in jamming (and have done it myself on occasion) but every song isn’t an excuse for extended improvisation.
And Beck is absolutely killer live. The man is a great entertainer and an inspired performer.
I saw Genesis live three times; unfortunately, all three were after Peter Gabriel had left and taken the theatrical aspect of their stage show with him. The shows were in 1977, 1978, and 1980. The cover of the Seconds Out album gives a good impression of the atmosphere of those concerts–lots of smoke and beams of light. Phil Collins did a lot of prancing around with a tambourine while Chester Thompson did the heavy lifting in the percussion department.
Genesis – saw 'em July 4th, 1987 at Wembley Arena, London. The last day of their Invisible Touch tour after I’d literally been chasing them all around the world. When they came to L.A. in October '86, I was living in Washington D.C. They played a few East Coast cities while I was there, but never anywhere close enough until Jan or Feb, after I’d gone home. They came back to L.A. in May '87, after I’d moved to London. Finally cornered 'em. 
I was 10th row in festival seating, and it was nearly like a mosh pit. Security was dragging out people left and right to keep them from getting crushed against the stage. One guy was unconscious and had blood dripping from his head. The opening act was Paul Young – everyone threw vegetables and junk at him. Genesis put on a spectacular show (Phil hadn’t quite taken over and sappified the band yet) especially the “audience participation” segment when the whole crowd helps Phil levitate the stage before “Home By The Sea”. Awesome fucking concert. But I’m PISSED that the DVD release of that concert cut out “In the Cage” – wtf!!! (BTW I’ve watched the DVD several times but have yet to find myself.)
Santana – saw 'em a month or two before Genesis, at the Hammersmith Apollo (when it was still called the Odeon.) Nice show, but nothing I’d run over my grandmother for (unlike Genesis.)
I would have killed to see Nirvana when they were all still alive. The rest, meh.
I saw Aerosmith in concert at old Comiskey park in the summer of 1976. I remember three things about the concert:
- a kickass rendition of Train Kept a’ Rolling
- Bill Veeck walking around during the concert with his wooden leg
- the upper deck briefly caught on fire (the band kept playing)
Oh for the 70’s again! 
You should check out Three Sides Live (not on DVD yet and out of print in VHS).
It’s mostly songs from Duke and Abacab.
Great versions of “Turn It On Again” & “Abacab”.
Saw Jimmy Buffett in the summer of '91 in Atlanta. Unfortunately, I and some friends were celebrating pretty vigorously before the show; I remember something about a shark.
I guess my claims to fame would be:
Cream - farewell tour
Zep - farewell tour
The Who - in 1968, in a bar
Zappa - several times
Jethro Tull - early 70s
Buffett - zillions of times, Summerfest Milwaukee, streets of Key West, FL.
Ray Charles - free concert, Chicago Grant Park
Commander Cody - with the original Lost Planet Airmen (Too Much Fun)
Why? Of the bands listed in your OP, Aerosmith, Beck, Buffett, Santana, Dr. John, and I believe Joe Cocker all tour regularly. I don’t know the status of Blues Traveler–I was a big fan at one time, and just sort of drifted–but John Popper’s solo project is coming to my area in a couple of months. Richard Marx is probably due for the nostalgia circuit by now. There will probably some horribly bastardized incarnation of Genesis touring at some point, though that doesn’t really count.
The only ones you’re really completely out of luck on are the Beatles and Nirvana.
Oh, and of your list, I’ve seen:
Aerosmith–I was in seventh grade, and they were my favorite band at the time, having just released Pump. My ass was kicked appropriately.
Buffett–I saw him once. If you’re of a certain mindset and just drunk enough, this is like a religious experience. I am of that mindset, and I was just drunk enough. It didn’t hurt that the one show I saw featured a guest appearance by Brian Wilson, back when he was fairly reclusive. I’m not certain the experience could be reproduced, as the conditions were perfect, but I’d be willing to give it another shot.
Blues Traveler–Like I said, I was a big fan at one time, and I managed to see them about three times. They were always fantastic.
I saw Jimmy Buffett in Las Vegas last year. The guy knows how to put on a show, I tell you what. While I’m not a huge fan, my mom is damn near rabid about Jimmy. On the bus to the venue, Mom was praying to everybody, including Jimmy Swaggart and Big Bird and chanting the Lotus Sutra, that neither she nor Jimmy would have a heart attack before she got to see him.
I saw Dr. John in a blues concert with Bonnie Raitt (a year before she hit the mainstream with her “Luck of the Draw” CD), the Fabulous Thunderbirds (Jimmy Vaughan on guitar that tour, he did leave the band briefly) with the “Roomful of Blues” horn section, and MR BB KING (everytime his name was said, it was said in all caps )
Dr John was great. Played piano alone on stage and sang. Wonderful piano.
Bonnie came on next, then the Thunderbirds. The horn section added to the Thunderbirds experience, but it wasn’t as ‘spirited’ as Bonnie and Dr John was. Preston, the bass player, looked like he wanted to be anywhere BUT there.
Everything came to a climax when the aforementioned bands took the stage together. I’m genuinely sorry I cannot remember the songs they did, but it was great fun. Dr John strutted and danced around the stage the way only an overweight late 50’s man can when he decides to ham it up.
The stage clears and MR BB KING takes the spotlight. One word: Vegas! A horn section that danced & moved as one, every band member in the same glittering costume, and MR BB KING up front with Lucille. Great guitar work, vocals about as good as you’d ever want from BB, great band.
My friend, a Berklee College student at the time, was eating up the great performances. We didn’t know Dr John was THAT good of a pianist, and Kim Wilson inspired me to pick up the harmonica (I’d see him anytime over John Popper).
Here’s the kicker. Two shows that night. 7:30 & 9:30, if I recall correctly. We were goofing off and decided to go to the 9:30 show. We had no tickets, and we walked up to the door. There were $20 tickets and $30 tickets. We looked at each other, and decided it was a big night, let’s splurge. We walked in, and after being slow to find our seats, an usher walked up and lets us down towards the stage. . .closer. . .closer. . .and sat us 10 feet off center in the first row of the orchestra pit! It was in the Benedum Center in Pgh.
It was a great night, and if we had gone to the first show, we likely would’ve done it twice!
I saw Joe Cocker with Stevie Ray Vaughan when they were touring together. Joe led off that night, and was great. More than that. . .can’t really detail.
Saw him several years later in an oldies concert with a bunch of other 60’s bands. He seemed tired.
I won tickets to see him with America, but I didn’t go. A friend was in from out of town, and we decided just to hang out and BS instead of fight the crowds. I only mention this because the next day I went to see Adrian Belew at Grafitti’s, a little
venue that seats about 150. During the concert, Adrian says hi to, and introduces, the band America, who was in the audience with us. Thought that was cool. “Sister Golden Hair” and “Horse with no Name” goes to see “Big Electric Cat”
Nice to relive those experiences, thanks!
BTW, notice the handle? Took it years ago for online use.
-DocJon
Abacab was the point at which I just couldn’t take it anymore. There was some decent stuff on there, but it wasn’t enough to redeem the ruin of a once-great band. I sold my copy of the LP and never looked back.
I’ve seen Beck and Dr. John. Both were part of festivals, so it wasn’t the same thing as seeing them solo, but hey. Beck annoyed me, but I think it’s because he did kind of an ironic performance and that wasn’t what I was expecting or in the mood for. My reaction to it at the time was probably harsher than the set deserved. Dr. John was a lot of fun. I didn’t know his music at that point, and I still don’t know too much of it, so I don’t know what he played exactly. Very fun time, though.
Dr. John played at the New Orleans Jazz Festival last year, and is playing again this year. He plays at Tipitina’s in New Orleans quite a bit, and he’s awesome in concert.
Joe Cocker just played a couple months ago in Gulfport (?), Mississippi. So he’s still around, although it won’t be as cool as it would’ve been in the 70’s!
Santana also played at the N.O. Jazz Fest last year. I didn’t see him though.