Big Name Rock Bands Before We All Knew Them

[andyzee]

Speaking of Alice in Chains, I actually saw them open for Van Halen in '91. First concert, second row, Hartford Civic Center. We really didn't know who they were. I remember a lot of "boos".... :lol:

This post by Greg got me thinking, have you seen at big names in small enviornments or before they were famous. In my case there was:

• Queen opening for Mott the Hoople on Broadway, there were no boos at this one.
• The Police at CBGBs, there first show in the US
• Talking Heads at CBGBs
• Ramones at CBGBs, numurous times. Yeah, spent a lot of time at CBGB
• Clash at the Palladium, their first show in the US

 

[Npage148]

I am totally jealous of you!

 

[BeanoNYC]

I am totally jealous of you!

Ditto....LOL, Andy, For crying out loud did you see Dylan at Cafe Wa? Too?

 

[andyzee]

Ditto....LOL, Andy, For crying out loud did you see Dylan at Cafe Wa? Too?

No can't say I did. Wasn't a Dylan fan.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Earth, Wind and Fire in 1971 in Putney, Vt.
Bonnie Raitt in 1972 in Putney, Vt
Marshal Tucker Band as the warmup band to the Allman Brothers at SPAC in 1970

 

[skibum1321]

This isn't really before they're famous but Tool is playing the Orpheum this summer, which is really small. I don't have tix, but I've heard they're selling for almost $1000 on Ebay.

 

[noski]

Earth, Wind and Fire in 1971 in Putney, Vt.
Bonnie Raitt in 1972 in Putney, Vt
Marshal Tucker Band as the warmup band to the Allman Brothers at SPAC in 1970

Man-oh-man...that took guts to post. You're even older than me. I only ever saw Rush in Montreal in 1978- but they were hot then. My fave bar band was 8084 and they are still going, I think. Man! They were good!

 

[kickstand]

This isn't really before they're famous but Tool is playing the Orpheum this summer, which is really small. I don't have tix, but I've heard they're selling for almost $1000 on Ebay.

that should be an awesome show. I was asked to go, but I'm going to Pearl Jam a few nights prior. I saw Perfect Circle, Tool's lead singer's other band, at Avalon back in 1998 or so.

Going back to Greg' Alice In Chains post, I saw them open for Extreme at the Orpheum in 1990. They got booed like crazy. Little did the crowd know Extreme would be toast within 2-3 years and Alice In Chains would help pioneer the grunge movement within the next 2 years. And in case anyone cares, Extreme just reunited for a summer tour.

 

[andyzee]

Man-oh-man...that took guts to post. You're even older than me. I only ever saw Rush in Montreal in 1978- but they were hot then. My fave bar band was 8084 and they are still going, I think. Man! They were good!

Oops, you just reminded me of others with the reference to bar bands. There used to be a club back in the early 70s in Parsippany, NJ, it was called Joint in the Woods. Anyway, they used to have a lot of cover bands playing there, then at one point decided to get original bands on a regular basis. Some of the ones I saw were TRex, Quicksilver, New York Dolls.

Then one day they got this band in that I thought was excellent. They played there every week for about a month. I had a friend that was 3 or 4 years older than me, he had a garage band, I really looked up to this guy. I told him "Eddie, you got to see this band they're great". Well Eddie came, he saw, he said "eh they're OK" The band Aerosmith I'll never forget that moment.

 

[cbcbd]

Going back to Greg' Alice In Chains post, I saw them open for Extreme at the Orpheum in 1990. They got booed like crazy. Little did the crowd know Extreme would be toast within 2-3 years and Alice In Chains would help pioneer the grunge movement within the next 2 years. And in case anyone cares, Extreme just reunited for a summer tour.

Wow, I am truly jealous... especially since I never got to see them live and now it's too late.
Didn't see Extreme, but saw Van Halen when Gary Sherone was their lead singer - I couldn't have picked a worse time to see VH. On the other hand, I like Extreme and have Pornographity 1 + 2.

My only kind of contribution was seeing the Brian Setzer Orchestra in CT mid 90s before their short-lived swing fad began - granted, Brian Setzer was already well known (from Stray Cats), but the Orchestra wasn't still as known. Fun show, and he's an amazing performer and guitarist.

 

[Marc]

Two of my high school buddies went and saw Staind open for Godsmack at the Centrum in Worcester in '99... that's about it though. All of the other obscure artists I've ever seen live are still relatively obscure.

 

[kickstand]

I like Extreme and have Pornographity 1 + 2.

there is only one Pornografitti. The album is called "Extreme II: Pornografitti".

Two of my high school buddies went and saw Staind open for Godsmack at the Centrum in Worcester in '99... that's about it though. All of the other obscure artists I've ever seen live are still relatively obscure.

I was at that show, as well. We missed most of Staind, but I had seen them at Avalon before. If I remember correctly, Incubus was also part of that Avalon show.

in 2004, I sold my Metallica/Godsmack tickets because it was the same night as Game 2 of the World Series. Still pains me to this day, but I couldn't sit in a concert knowing the Sox were playing in the World Series and I wasn't watching.

 

[ctenidae]

I saw Dave Matthews at a frathouse party at Chapel Hill in 93, or thereabouts.
I am not in a frat
Annual party.
Lots of beer.

 

[cbcbd]

there is only one Pornografitti. The album is called "Extreme II: Pornografitti".

Yeah, you're right... d'oh!

 

[marcski]

Saw Blues traveller at the tiny (like 10 tables) Mondo Cane blues bar in the Village in...the late 80's I believe.

 

[Ski Diva]

I saw Jimmy Buffet at the Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA a couple times around '74 or '75. I don't think there were 20 people in the audience, either time. I went to see him again a few years ago, and he still does a lot of the same stuff.

I also saw the Eagles right right before their first album hit big. They were in a small college gym in Cortland, NY. Good show.

 

[Plowboy]

Charlie Daniels Band as warmup for Marshal Tucker Band and ZZ Top. at the Spectrum in Phily 76'. Everybody was booing and hissing @ ZZ Top and wanted CDB to come back on. Saw CDB 16 times after that show. 15 of those shows from 77' to 78'. The last time was @ Thunder Road(race track in Barre, VT) a few years ago, what a show!!

Foghat as warmup for Steve Miller Band 73' Paladium(sp) NYC

Asleep @ the Wheel as warmup for Earl Scruggs Review @ the Shaefer(sp) music fests Central Park 77'. WHO?

Phish playing for the door @ Gallagers(Egans, Waitsfield, VT) sunday nights 88', I think lol.

The Ramones in a friends back yard in Jersey 74'. Man did they stink without the studio backup.

 

[andyzee]

Foghat as warmup for Steve Miller Band 73' Paladium(sp) NYC

I think I went to that one. If I'm not mistaken, the Paladium was the Acadamy of Music back then.

 

[ctenidae]

I did see the Allman Brothers at UNCW in '91 or '92, but I think that counts more as seing a big name band well after they were a big name band. Well, well after.

 

[Plowboy]

I did see the Allman Brothers at UNCW in '91 or '92, but I think that counts more as seing a big name band well after they were a big name band. Well, well after.

Could be a new thread: How bad were they after they made it big? The list could be long!!