Are You Ready To Rock?
I’m taking part in a “Music Monday” event, thanks to Phil Taylor, who has a great website called “The Phil Factor”.
You can see his blog here:
I am sharing seven incredible concerts that I was able to see live, and yes, that includes the greatest rock band of all time, Led Zeppelin!
1 – Led Zeppelin at The Seattle Center Coliseum, 1975
I was young, but not TOO YOUNG to rock with the greatest band of all time! The Seattle Center Coliseum could barely contain them – this was at the height of their prowess as a band…
Luckily, many of these performances were captured in the band’s unique concert film “The Song Remains The Same” – and if you love the band as much as I do, you no doubt also have all of their albums remastered – here is a look at those, and my “top 5” singles from the band:
Another incredible live performer is Paul McCartney, and when Seattle’s Kingdome was built, he played the first concert there:
2 – Paul McCartney & Wings Over America at The Kingdome in 1976
Six years after the breakup of The Beatles, Paul was at the height of his popularity, and he took his band Wings around the world, releasing a triple live album that captures all of the magic of the shows:
I remember standing outside with 50,000 other fans waiting to get in, when we saw Paul and Linda on the roof of the Kingdome, looking out at us!
He played his great solo hits, new Wings songs and a few Beatles classics as well – one of the greatest live performers there is – he still performs for three hours and you know every song!
Here is a look at that show at the Kingdome, with a couple of live clips!
I am a huge fan of Todd Rundgren, as those who read my blog know – and in 2016, he put on a great show filled with his greatest hits!
3 – Todd Rundgren at The Sabon Theater in Beverly Hills, 2016
Todd is out on the road now with his band Utopia, reuniting after decades apart…but in 2016, Todd toured to promote a new album, and also toured with a show that focused on his library of classic songs, like this one.
Here is Todd performing “Hello It’s Me”:
If you don’t know Todd’s music, he is an incredible Artist…here are more videos from the Beverly Hills show:
https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/07/todd-rundgren-rocks-beverly-hills-todds-2016-tour-reviewed/
I have focused on legendary performers, because when you hear them perform, you realize why they have such long and successful careers….my next Artist is no different:
4 – Stevie Wonder at The United Center in Chicago, 2014
Some don’t know that in the 70’s, Stevie Wonder released 3 albums in 4 years, and each one took home the Grammy for Album Of The Year!
In 1974, he won for “Innervisions”, the next year for “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” (beating “Bankd On The Run” from Wings), and in 1977, he won again for “Songs In The Key Of Life.”
A couple of years ago, Wonder went on the road to perform “Songs” in its entirety – confirming what a masterpiece it is!
In addition to those “songs in the key of life”, Wonder also performed some of his other hits, like this great rendition of “My Cherie Amour”:
Wonder’s voice was flawless, and he was full of energy and humor – here is a look at this show, with more videos:
https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/15/songs-in-the-key-of-life-stevie-wonders-masterpiece-live/
Sometimes, a band can wear out over time, becoming a hollow version of their best self…but not in the case of Tears For Fears:
5 – Tears For Fears at Staples Center in Los Angeles, 2017
I was surprised to hear that TFF were touring with Daryl Hall & John Oates, assuming they no longer recorded or toured….I was wrong, because in some ways they blew H&O off the stage!
Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith put on a 90-minute show filled with non-stop hits like “Shout”, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, “Mad World”, and this classic…
Here they are performing “Sowing The Seeds Of Love:”
I was impressed by how tight the band sounded, how energetic Roland and Curt were, and how well the music holds up…here is my story about the show, with more clips:
I have posted stories about every single Eagles album, and they are another band that performs their catalog of songs with respect and passion:
6 – The History Of The Eagles at the United Center in Chicago, 2013
The group’s “history” tour coincided with the dynamite 5 hour documentary about the band…it was the last tour before Glenn Frey’s tragic demise.
Here is the band performing their classic “Take It Easy:”
The band is still performing, with Frey’s son replacing him in the band, along with country Artist Vince Gill…I am so happy I saw this show, which was dynamite, and including founding member Bernie Leadon as well – see that clip here:
https://johnrieber.com/2013/09/21/history-of-the-eagles-amazing-concert-old-friends-return/
Finally, I was lucky enough to see punk rock at its most ferocious. thanks to The Clash:
7 – The Clash at The Paramount Theater in Seattle, 1979
When The Clash toured America, it was an event, tearing up theaters across the country with their punk energy, and songs like “Janie Jones” and “I’m So Bored With The USA”…
If you never saw them live, you have a chance to relive it, because of a unique film that they co-starred in!
“Rude Boy” was a fictional film about a roadie who was friends with the band, and they shot The Clash in concert as part of the film – here are some of those clips – an incredible document of the power of punk at the end of the 70’s:
The Clash returned to Seattle to open for The Who at The Kingdome a few years later, and yes, The Who could top this list as well…
Let me add that I’ve seen a ton of great shows in my life, all of which could end up on this list – including:
Daryl Hall & John Oates
Pearl Jam
Oasis
Diana Krall
Elvis Costello
Neil Young
The Doobie Brothers
Glen Hansard
The Who
Bruce Springsteen
And so many more to go – let me know your favorites!
Categories: 70's Music, Art, Books / Media, Classic Rock, Cult Movies, documentary films, Great Films, Independent Cinema, Led Zeppelin, London, Los Angeles, Memoirs, Movies, Music, Obscure Movies, Obscure Music, Talent/Celebrities, The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, TV Show
johnrieber 
I am incredibly jealous that you were able to witness Led Zeppelin live!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was a really young kid, but it was the smartest $7 I ever spent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You really are one of the Kings of Gigs, John. I saw David Bowie at Wembley, Madonna at Wembley, Van Morrison at The Albert Hall, (awful) Anita Baker at The Albert Hall, and the Stax-Volt tour in London in the 60s. But the best gig I ever saw was Swing Out Sister, at the small venue of The Jazz Cafe in London, which was my favourite live performance ever. (I also saw Edwin Starr in the same place, twice. And he was excellent too)
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pete, that’s a great list as well…nothing beats live music, no matter how big or small the venue!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know all of these bands, John. I will, however, agree with you on Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Tears for Fears.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Robbie!
LikeLike
OMG Led Zeppelin!! The Clash!!! What an amazing list!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I was a young kid who smartly found $7 to see Zeppelin! And trust me, at that age $7 was a fortune!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Wow! So many great classics! Thanks for participating John. I have The Who on my list too. It was my first concert ever. I missed seeing The Clash to go on a date with a girl, who I didn’t end up marrying, so in retrospect I wish I had seen The Clash
LikeLiked by 1 person
HA! Phil, I saw The Clash when they opened for The Who – and could have used that one, but they were a bit more polished at the time, I saw them at their raw initial state! Thanks for letting me participate!
LikeLiked by 1 person