# Who have you seen live that is no longer with us? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death, music\ **Created:** [August 2, 2018, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968 "2018-08-02T10:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/21 "2018-08-02T13:15:25Z")
George Carlin a dozen times. I would go to a Carlin concert any time, any where. Steve Barton in Phantom of the Opera, both as Raoul and the Phantom. Damn fine actor. Clarence Clemmons, and I got to hang out with the E Street Band after the concert. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/22 "2018-08-02T13:16:46Z")
Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Dennis Wilson (in the Beach Boys), Freddie Mercury (in Queen). ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/23 "2018-08-02T13:25:02Z")
I saw Stevie Ray Vaughn in Hamilton, Ontario about a week before he died. I _think_ that was the same show he played with Joe Cocker was also at that same show (though he lived a few more years.) I saw the Grateful Dead with Jerry Garcia and their keyboardist Brent Mydland. Also, Jefferson Starship with Paul Kantner, the Who with John Entwhistle, the Clash with Joe Strummer, as well as David Bowie, Prince, Tomy Petty, and Nirvana with Cobain (all separate shows). At one point, realizing that a lot of the truly legendary performers from my youth were “getting up there”, I made a point of seeing a bunch of folks who I may not have been truly inclined to see live, but that I suspected would likely not be around too long. I saw B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and Peggy Lee. (I also went to see Bob Dylan and Tony Bennet for the same reason, but they are both still alive.) ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/24 "2018-08-02T13:32:15Z")
Elvis ---
**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:** [August 2, 2018, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/25 "2018-08-02T13:38:10Z")
Besides some already mentioned; The Ramones, Les Paul, Link Wray, John Wetton, Jon Lord, Ray Thomas, Michael Hedges ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/26 "2018-08-02T13:38:40Z")
Joey and Johnny Ramone ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/27 "2018-08-02T13:41:38Z")
Burl Ives Betty Comden and Adolph Green Zero Mostel Pete Seeger ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/28 "2018-08-02T13:57:03Z")
Chris Cornell Chester Bennington The drummer from Pantera who just died…can’t remember his name but I saw him. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/29 "2018-08-02T13:58:54Z")
Yeah, the Ramones too. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/30 "2018-08-02T14:03:59Z")
Gram Parsons. Saw him two nights in a row, actually. Janis Joplin Jimi Hendrix B.B. King Muddy Waters Lou Reed (with the VU). Sun Ra. And many more who don’t come to mind immediately… ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/31 "2018-08-02T14:08:05Z")
John Denver, in Minneapolis in 1974 or '75. Maya Plisetskaya of the Bolshoi Theatre, also in Minneapolis in 1973 or '74. I hung around the stage door and got her autograph. I was going to say Jerry Lee Lewis in Moscow in 1997, but I see he’s still alive at the age of 82. Way to go, dude! 🆒 ---
**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:** [August 2, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/32 "2018-08-02T14:11:47Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > John Lee Hooker, BB King, Jerry, Chris Squire, EL&P, Sam Kinison, maybe a couple more I can’t think of… > > Oh! Tom Petty and John Denver, too. And that fruity magician Doug Henning. The “P” in EL&P is very much alive. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/33 "2018-08-02T14:13:22Z")
> [@blob](#): > > I saw Queen, with Freddie Mercury. And I saw David Bowie ☹ Same. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/34 "2018-08-02T14:16:30Z")
I live in Colorado but I don’t think I’ve ever seen John Denver. Maybe once at a Rockies game. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/35 "2018-08-02T14:18:56Z")
John Denver John Entwistle Kelly Groucutt - bassist/vocalist for ELO Maggie Roche - The Roches Carl Anderson - Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar” Raul Julia - Dracula ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/36 "2018-08-02T14:22:31Z")
The Ramones, Chris Cornell (partied with him & Soundgarden back in the day; great, great guys), Rodney Dangerfield, Tom Petty, Jeff Hanneman (Slayer), Martin Kearns (Bolt Thrower), Lynn Strait (Snot), Lemmy, Wayne Static (Static-X), Mitch Lucker (Suicide Silence), Chi Cheng (Deftones), Dave Brockie (Oderus Urungus from GWAR; partied with him too), Jaco Pastorius, Steve Clark (Def Leppard) and a whole host of punk rock/metal band members who’ve already moshed off this mortal coil. A few more comedians and jazz players too. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/37 "2018-08-02T14:25:03Z")
Joe Cocker ---
**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:** [August 2, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/38 "2018-08-02T14:25:21Z")
Carlos Montoya BB King Ray Charles Amalia Rodrigues Ali Farka Toure Oscar Peterson Abby Lincoln Dave Brubeck Molly Ivins Mike Connors Shirley Temple Black ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/39 "2018-08-02T14:26:02Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I met Son Seals, saw him perform, and escorted him to his hotel afterwards just a year before he died. He was touring because he was broke, had lost a leg to diabetes, and was basically playing for insulin. He had lost a bunch of siblings and had a few house fires where he lost all his treasured possessions. Representing the blues. Oh man Son Seals. Back in college there was a group of us that would go see Son every time he came to town. One year when George Thorogood was doing his 50/50 tour (50 dates in 50 states in 50 days) Son Seals opened for him when George played a show on campus, then Son played another set at a local club later that night. And then there was the show where he wandered out into the audience while playing an extended blues solo, and sat down at our table while he played. Damn I miss Son Seals. ☹ Some others off the top of my head: Frank Zappa Dan Hicks John Entwistle (with the Who) Jay Bennett (with Wilco) ETA: I was only thinking of musicians, but I have also seen talks given by Graham Chapman, Hunter S. Thompson, and Kurt Vonnegut (twice). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/40 "2018-08-02T14:29:38Z")
Tom Petty Johnny Cash (at a Highwaymen concert) Waylon Jennings (same) Chris Squire (Yes bassist) Brad Delp (Boston vocalist) Ron Glass (actor, from “Firefly” and “Barney Miller”) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968.md?page=3)