# Your first "real" concert? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 19, 2006, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037 "2006-03-19T20:31:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/101 "2006-03-21T16:19:25Z")
**Humble Pie** (with Peter Frampton) in 1972, at the Summit in Houston. I was 13. No contact high for me, I was doing the real thing! Amazing experience. I saw so many concerts in my teens. Doobie Brothers, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffett… I was the ticket-buyer - using my mom’s credit card to call them up and repaying her with collected monies. :: wanders off singing “Thirty Days in the Hole”… ---
**Author:** ![Godfrey\_Daniels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Godfrey\_Daniels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Godfrey_Daniels)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/102 "2006-03-21T16:25:40Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > Beach Boys, Buckinghams, and Tommy James and the Shondells, 1967. > > My girlfriend and I sat in the last row of arena and watched and laughed as all the (younger) girls screamed and screamed at each of the acts. I’m not sure how good any of the music was because of that. Tommy James hadn’t yet gotten into his psychedelic phase, so he was pretty much a waste, but the Buckinghams were coming off their best hits, and the Beach Boys of course had just finished one of the greatest runs of hit songs in the history of popular music. So whatever I heard had to be pretty damn good. Very interesting. I saw the Beach Boys, Buckinghams, and ? and the Mysterians the same year at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. Maybe the same tour but with a little different lineup. The Beach Boys had released ‘Pet Sounds’ in late '66, arguably one of the greatest rock and roll albums of all time. IIRC, they pretty much covered the entire album in their show. I remember wondering how they could possibly pull off the multi-layered vocals on “Good Vibrations”, yet somehow they managed. It was an amazing show. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/103 "2006-03-21T16:36:35Z")
> [@mrunlucky](#): > > Eurythmics, with Howard Jones opening, at Red Rocks. Never liked Jones, still love Eurythmics. Still have the Eurythmics t-shirt too! _sigh_ Eurythmics was my third concert and that show started a lifelong love affair/semi obsession with Annie Lennox’s voice. I have seen them perform on three other tours, but the first one was the best, at one of the best places in Philly, The Tower Theater. They invited the crowd up onstage with them to boogie along to “Right By Your Side”. ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/104 "2006-03-21T17:02:25Z")
Arlo Guthrie and Judy Collins, at Blossom Music Center, in the late 60s. Arlo was the opening act, and infinitely more entertaining than Collins. I saw a lot of concerts there: PP&M, Joan Baez, Poco, Janis Joplin, Jackson Browne. Great venue. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/105 "2006-03-21T17:32:27Z")
Very first concert? The Beatles in 1964. Almost could not hear the music over the screams. ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/106 "2006-03-21T19:08:41Z")
My first real concert (besides the Christian contemporary ones my parents made me go to…not that they were bad) was The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over tour. I saw them in Texas stadium when I was 20. Since then I have seen Matchbox 20 w/Lifehouse and another band whose name escapes me right now; Rod Stewart; Madonna; The Rolling Stones… ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/107 "2006-03-21T19:44:26Z")
I saw and later met the **5th Dimension** from backstage back in what must have been '69 or '70 but I’m not sure that counts since I was with my parents. Dad was with a record company. First “real” concert was probably in the late '70s, **Foghat** with a pre-Phil Collins **Genesis**. A band we were at the time unfamiliar with opened with two songs, **Judas Priest**. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/108 "2006-03-21T19:53:46Z")
Oops, forgot about **Eric Johnson** in '76 at Austin’s Armadillo World Headquarters. ---
**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:** [March 21, 2006, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/109 "2006-03-21T20:06:07Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > Hey, me, too! At Barton Colosseum, Little Rock, 1976. I was 13. Perfect age, perfect time. I was pissed because the fire marshall would let KISS use their pyros, but Gene Simmons came out and spit extra blood to make up for it. And me three. At Cobo Hall in Detroit. 1976 it was! I was 14. There were no lack of pyrotechnics. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/110 "2006-03-21T20:18:28Z")
My first (and only) big arena concert was **Skid Row** and **Guns N’ Roses** at the Nissan Pavilion, Northern VA. Around 1991 I think. ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/111 "2006-03-21T22:29:53Z")
September 1985, Night Ranger at the KS State Fair. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/112 "2006-03-22T01:41:22Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Very first concert? > The Beatles in 1964. Almost could not hear the music over the screams. To my thinking you win the thread. Nic ---
**Author:** ![kath94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@kath94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kath94)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/113 "2006-03-22T05:30:22Z")
“Air Supply” at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa. I was 19 and afraid that I hadn’t done enough teenaging before turning 20. My friend Janet and I paid $50 each for 2nd row tickets, and sat in the pouring rain for the whole concert. It felt like we’d paid our life savings for those tickets! That’s the extent of my teenaging. …Oh, and “Huey Lewis and the News” at the Golden Bear. Anybody else remember the Golden Bear? ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/114 "2006-03-22T05:49:06Z")
Wow am I lame, but my first concert was Huey Lewis and the News at Madison Square Garden in Indianapolis, circa 1986 when I was in 7th grade. I remember he did this long thing with a friggin’ _drum machine_, and the audience was like, Oohh, Aahh, how cool is that! Now I look back and think…how lame is that?? Since then I’ve seen BareNaked Ladies four times and U2 twice. Has that washed the HLATN stench off of me yet?? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/115 "2006-03-22T05:57:46Z")
> [@Nic2004](#): > > To my thinking you win the thread. > Nic I was just wondering if I won. 🙂 some other early concerts Simon and Garfunkel 4th row center seats Jimi Hendricks 12th row. Cream’s good bye concert Doors Hollywood bowl Jefferson Airplane (right white rabbit was released IIRC), Grateful dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/116 "2006-03-22T06:21:06Z")
First ever show - **Prince** , Parade Tour, Wembley Arena, London, UK 1985 or 1986. Mom chaperoned sis and me. It was probably a bit much for my 13- or 14-year-old senses, especially the extended bed humping scene. Mom’s comment: “He’s nasty, but he’s very talented.” First show unchaperoned - **U2** , Joshua Tree Tour, Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas 1987. There were hardly any kids our age there. At the time U2 was like a college rock or KLBJ-listening adult thing. It was bad ass. Very proud of my “firsts.” ---
**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 22, 2006, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/117 "2006-03-22T06:35:28Z")
> [@Ruffian](#): > > Since then I’ve seen BareNaked Ladies four times and U2 twice. Has that washed the HLATN stench off of me yet?? Depends. Has my seeing Allison Krauss, Ray Charles, Live, Counting Crows (2x), Ben Folds, Fiona Apple, Aerosmith, et al, wash Corey Hart and Rick Springfield from mine? ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/118 "2006-03-22T15:33:11Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Depends. Has my seeing Allison Krauss, Ray Charles, Live, Counting Crows (2x), Ben Folds, Fiona Apple, Aerosmith, et al, wash Corey Hart and Rick Springfield from mine? I’m sorry to be the one to break this to you both but…there is no cure. Though you may have beaten it into remission, only regular doses of R&R will keep it at bay. I feel you both have a real chance at a regular life with periodic concerts and jammin’ with headphones in-between. You understand of of course that you will need to continue this treatment for life. ---
**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 22, 2006, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/119 "2006-03-22T19:13:29Z")
Well, shit. _Goes off to listen to something angry_ ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037/120 "2006-03-22T21:48:23Z")
I saw Def Leppard on their Hysteria tour in 1987. I was seventeen, and I felt like the oldest person on earth who had never been to a concert! My kids have already been to a concert: Stevie Nicks, a few months ago in Tampa. My fourteen year old daughter is her number one fan. My nine year old boy wants to go see Billy Joel or Alice Cooper. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-real-concert/349037.md?page=7)