# What was the first concert you attended? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 28, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298 "2011-03-28T19:23:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/101 "2011-03-29T14:01:12Z")
Green Day - November 16, 1995 at the Cobo Arena in Detroit. Their opener was a “queercore” band (that means exactly what you think it means) named Pansy Division that, I just learned now, still exists. I wore the Green Day shirt I bought that night to school the next day, which turns out wasn’t the cool thing to do. My first introduction to band apparel etiquette! I couldn’t give you an exact count, but Radiohead, Arcade Fire and The White Stripes are the three bands I’ve seen the most. The New Pornographers are probably up there, too. ---
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/102 "2011-03-29T14:05:03Z")
> [@CornTheHead](#): > > As far as the most times seeing one band, it would be a toss up between Metallica (12 times) and Pantera (if you count all the small local clubs before they really hit the national scene, then maybe 15-16 times). And there’s no reason you shouldn’t – seeing a band in a small club before they get huge gives you major cred! These shows not only count as concerts, but also, I think, should count _more_ than seeing a band in some enormous arena, stadium or amphitheater. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/103 "2011-03-29T14:11:34Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > I was going to come in to say that probably the DK’s were the band I’ve seen the most. A couple of dozen times around the Bay Area - frankly it was tough not to see them a lot if you were into the hardcore scene. Although I think one of the better nights was when Jello got stripped buck naked at the Elite Club, and did a few songs in his birthday suit. And he still did his crowd diving thing just the same. That sounds awesome! I just found info on the show I was at when I was 15: > **[Dead Kennedys at Reggae Lounge (New York) on 6 Jul 1983 | Last.fm](https://www.last.fm/event/227520+Dead+Kennedys+at+Reggae+Lounge+on+06+July+1983)** > > Last.fm concert page for Dead Kennedys at Reggae Lounge (New York) on July 6, 1983. Discuss the gig, get concert tickets, see who's attending, find similar events. I saw the Beastie Boys and didn’t even know it. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/104 "2011-03-29T14:12:02Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I hadn’t considered that. Count it, if you want. My 4th grade teacher arranged for all of us to go see a showing of _Evita_ MANY years ago. I don’t count that, since it wasn’t something I would have wanted to attend on my own. Same; I’d forgotten all about that, hehe. Or maybe it was Man of La Mancha? Or maybe both? Hrm. Other than that, my first was Night Ranger. I won tickets on the radio because my boyfriend liked Night Ranger and I wanted to surprise him. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/105 "2011-03-29T14:12:12Z")
First (non-volitional): Davy Jones, Steel Pier, Atlantic City NJ, 1971 First (volitional): Genesis, Philadelphia Spectrum, _And Then There Were Three_ tour, 1978 Most recent: Pearl Jam, Madison Square Garden, 2010 ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/106 "2011-03-29T14:13:05Z")
Probably the local symphony orchestra when I was a child. I have a memory of hearing _Peter and the Wolf_ by Prokofiev. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/107 "2011-03-29T14:31:51Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Jethro Tull, around 25 times, I think. I’m up there with you Biffy, but I’ve been a no-show since 2001. The vocal degradation just kills JT for me. I wish Ian would check if his son’s voice sounds anything like his own (they look alike so maybe..), and if so, then draft him to sing instead of occasionally being the drummer on the solo Ian tours. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/108 "2011-03-29T14:53:59Z")
**Procol Harum** at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh on 14th March '73. I’ve hardly listened to them much since, but the last couple of years or so, I’ve gradually been picking up the remastered cardboard sleeve re-issue cds. Good stuff! ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/109 "2011-03-29T15:20:30Z")
The Byrds, 1966. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/110 "2011-03-29T15:47:06Z")
**Clutch, Worlds Collide** and a couple of other hardcore bands at St. Stephen’s Church in DC back in 1992, 1993 maybe. ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/111 "2011-03-29T16:21:45Z")
I was almost done with high school for my first concert. I saw Queensryche with Suicidal Tendencies opening. I knew who ST were, but had never heard them before. They blew me away. The band I’ve seen most is Guided by Voices, who I’ve seen 9 times, I think. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/112 "2011-03-29T18:35:06Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Alice Cooper, circa '81 or '82. I believe the opening act was the late great Bill Chinnock (who you’ve never heard of unless you’re on the East Coast and at least 40 years old). Me too, '86 or thereabouts. It’s a hard act to follow and left me somewhat jaded about the rest of my following concert experiences. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/113 "2011-03-29T19:06:25Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > We are not worthy! 😃 > Seriously, I’d probably have donated a major organ to have seen either of these bands. I’m awestruck. And gobsmacked too. Seriously right backatcha, thank you for the positive thoughts. I do feel very fortunate to have seen both bands. . ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/114 "2011-03-29T19:49:36Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The Byrds, 1966. 🆒 Now _I’m_ jealous. That must have been great. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/115 "2011-03-29T20:45:00Z")
Raffi ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/116 "2011-03-29T21:26:44Z")
Freshman in high school (1982). **Pat Benatar**. Cincinnati Coliseum. **Survivor** opened for her. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/117 "2011-03-29T23:38:57Z")
> [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](#): > > I was almost done with high school for my first concert. I saw Queensryche with Suicidal Tendencies opening. I knew who ST were, but had never heard them before. They blew me away. I saw that tour. Louisville, KY. Would have been around 1990, give or take a year. Queensryche was supporting their _Empire_ album. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/118 "2011-03-30T00:20:00Z")
1. _Chicago_ and _The Beach Boys_ at Anaheim Stadium. Infamous as the concert that almost destroyed the mezzanine seating section. People were jumping up and down to the music and the section was visibly swaying. The Beach Boys had to keep announcing after every song “If you’re in the mezzanine, do NOT jump up and down!” It didn’t work. Oh yes - and _Chicago_ also holds my record as most seen band. 5 times, latest was 1992 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. I loves me some horn section! ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/119 "2011-03-30T00:28:41Z")
Heart, their _Bad Animals_ tour from 1988. It was at Fiddler’s Green (now Comfort Dental Amphitheater or some such ridiculousness) in Denver; I’d been working two part-time jobs that equaled about 60 hours a week all summer long, and, even though I was a big fan of Heart (especially Nancy Wilson – yowza!) I fell asleep about three-quarters of the way through. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298/120 "2011-03-30T00:53:26Z")
I was underwhelmed when I saw Heart, c. 1982. I actually went to see John Cougar, who was the opening act. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-concert-you-attended/576298.md?page=7)