# Survey - what band/performers would you go back in time to see? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736 "2012-02-13T19:37:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/61 "2012-02-14T17:12:29Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Alice Cooper- in Detroit in 1969 and the 1973 shows Oh, man, how could I have forgotten Alice? I would kill to have seen him on the Brutal Planet tour! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/62 "2012-02-14T17:13:15Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > [Thelonius Monk with Dave Brubeck at Carnegie Hall](http://www.amazon.com/Thelonious-Monk-Quartet-Coltrane-Carnegie/dp/B000AV2GCE) I actually have this album =) I’m assuming you meant Monk and Coltrane. Monk and Brubeck would be. . .odd. ---
**Author:** ![Enuma\_Elish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5e9695/32.png) [@Enuma\_Elish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enuma_Elish)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/63 "2012-02-14T17:23:54Z")
Eva Cassidy at Blues Alley or Pearl’s. Willie Nelson, but only if it is just him and his guitar. Elvis with back-up singers. Singing spirituals. Bruce Springsteen in Dublin with the full band he had when performing folk songs. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/64 "2012-02-14T17:43:50Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > The Who: Live at Leeds 5/16/70 Slight nitpick: that was the album’s release date. Today is the anniversary of the actual show as seen in this [youtube clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sanAHVITCDY). ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/65 "2012-02-14T17:51:51Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Slight nitpick: that was the album’s release date. Today is the anniversary of the actual show as seen in this [youtube clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sanAHVITCDY). Sounds like the perfect occasion to do some time traveling. I seriously considered including The Who on my list. I would love to have seen them with Keith Moon. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/66 "2012-02-14T18:03:59Z")
The Clash The Ramones The Cramps ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/67 "2012-02-14T18:10:58Z")
Elliott Smith - when he was sober enough to remember his songs. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/68 "2012-02-14T18:36:13Z")
**Kate Bush** back in 1979 during her one and only tour. I’d cheat and see every show on the tour. I’d assume that if I could afford the time machine, travel and tickets would not be an issue. **Todd Rundgren** with his very first _Utopia_ tour, where he opened solo for Utopia. **Peter Gabriel** on the _Security_ tour. I was there, my future wife was there as well, but it was a month before we had met. I’d fix that. **Frank Zappa** - I had free tickets from the venue for repairing their microphone snake that some moron had driven a forklift over. And I had to miss my only chance to see him due to the actions of a _different_ moron. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/69 "2012-02-14T19:37:17Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > Oh, man, how could I have forgotten Alice? I would kill to have seen him on the Brutal Planet tour! I’ve seen Alice about 20 times since the late 70’s, I keep going because it is such a show and I keep thinking “This may be the last time he comes on tour”… yet he keeps coming back! ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/70 "2012-02-14T20:06:02Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > **J.S. Bach** Bach was mainly known as an organist (not a composer) in his lifetime. There was actually a contest arranged between him and another accomplished organist. The organist snuck into a church to hear Bach play, chickened out, and canceled the contest. Obviously we don’t have any recordings of Bach improvising but I bet he kicked ass. JSB would be the top of my list, except that I’m sure I’d be disappointed by 18th Century performance styles, and instrument quality. Which would be _my_ failing, of course. > [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > The premiere of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” in 1913 which (may have) caused a riot of the Parisians as it was far above what their primitive minds could understand. This is by far the top of my list of _performances_ I’d go back to see. Day One of the 20th Century in classical music. BTW, my impression from what I’ve read is that a significant portion of the audience reacted favorably, appreciating the import and wonder of what they were hearing. . ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/71 "2012-02-14T20:47:01Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > I’ve seen Alice about 20 times since the late 70’s, I keep going because it is such a show and I keep thinking “This may be the last time he comes on tour”… yet he keeps coming back! I’ve only seen him once, circa 1986, and it really was a fabulous show. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/72 "2012-02-14T20:52:40Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > For those of you answering Pink Floyd, what era? **Pink Floyd** , in their late pre-Dark Side era ( the ‘at Pompeii’ special would be about perfect). **Creedence Clearwater Revival** **Van Halen** around 78,79,80 before they got too drunk and dysfunctional to play. A bunch of the folkies in their prime (or at least alive), like **Jim Croce** , **Harry Nilsson** , **Cat Stevens** ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/73 "2012-02-14T21:50:31Z")
Damn near anyone who was performing before the advent of recorded sound. Buddy Bolden, to hear what the fuss was all about. Scott Joplin, to hear what the friggin’ tempo is really supposed to be. Any anonymous mediaeval or renaissance composer. Bach or Buxtehude improvising. Bruckner improvising. John Dowland playing anywhere, any time. Those evenings at the Schumann’s house when young Brahms would drop by. First night of ‘Das Rheingold’ at Bayreuth. Any concert with Berlioz conducting. The list goes on… ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/74 "2012-02-15T02:08:55Z")
Franz Liszt. In particular, I’d love to hear the infamous “piano duel” between Liszt and Sigismond Thalberg. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/75 "2012-02-15T02:42:40Z")
Elvis, between the 1968 Comeback Special and 1972 Gang of Four The Misfits (or the Clash, since I can only pick 3) ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/76 "2012-02-15T17:23:03Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > **Van Halen** around 78,79,80 before they got too drunk and dysfunctional to play. To be honest this didn’t really happen until fairly recently, maybe mid-2004 tour and especially the 2007 tour. I’ve seen them on every tour since 1982 or so and those were the only times where there was a problem with Ed’s actual guitar playing. If you’d have said before the egos, power struggles, artistic differences, and personality clashes, I’d agree %100. The early years of Jack Johnson’s career were something to experience in small venues or with college audiences, everyone in the crowd would sing along with him for every song. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/77 "2012-02-16T17:25:19Z")
> [@MacSpon](#): > > Franz Liszt. That’s a pretty short liszt. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Flip\_Pancake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f1d935/32.png) [@Flip\_Pancake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flip_Pancake)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/78 "2012-02-16T17:52:46Z")
David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust tour. ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/79 "2012-02-16T19:57:54Z")
Thelonious Monk Johann Sebastian Bach Nikhil Banerjee ---
**Author:** ![stolatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@stolatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolatt)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736/80 "2012-02-16T20:32:15Z")
The Stooges on their first album Peter Frampton on of course the Frampton Comes Alive tour The Who, anytime with Keith Moon Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-what-band-performers-would-you-go-back-in-time-to-see/612736.md?page=5)