I'd never heard of this band BUT ...

[riggs336]

This thread is for remembering the first time you saw a band you had NEVER HEARD OF but that completely blew you away.

For me it was Labor Day weekend 1969. The Texas International Pop Festival, two weeks after Woodstock.

I was familiar with most of the groups playing during the three-day show; I was especially looking forward to Chicago Transit Authority (just Chicago after the lawsuit), Janis Joplin (who I had seen several times in Austin), BB King and Nazz with their excellent singer Todd Rundgren.


What I wasn't expecting was the music from three groups I had NEVER HEARD OF: Grand Funk Railroad (it cou!d have been the hash, but I still love them), Santana (this WAS 2 weeks after Woodstock) and Led Zepplin (when I got back to Austin I didn't call my girlfriend, I went to a record store).
I still have those three first albums Santana, Led Zepplin and Grand Funk Railroad.

[Snapolit1]

Certainly not on par with the bands discussed above, and zero coolness factor, but a few years ago my wife announced she wanted to see Bruno Mars for her birthday. I bought seats in the fist 10 rows of MSG. I had heard of him obviously, and probably knew one song. I was completely blown away by his level of showmanship. Seemed like a young cross of James Brown and Price, with zero edge. Just one of those times you watch someone perform and think how does one person 20 something years old have so much talent.

[MooseDog]

Two words...THE OUTLAWS (and not the Waylon Jennings one)

At the Oakland Coliseum they used to hold Day on the Green concerts every summer. For a die-hard A's fan kid to be able to sit on the same field that the green and gold crew played on was too cool.

It was a weird lineup. Peter Frampton was the headliner, this was now two years after his "Comes Alive" album but I think his star was waning. By the middle of his set half the crowd of about 60,000 was getting a head start on getting out of the parking lot.

Before Frampton came Lynyrd Skynyrd, which was actually the bad I went to see and man, did they deliver. I think that performance is now on YouTube if any of you are fans of the original lineup. They were a band really hitting a peak at that time. The plane crash happened just 3 months later.

The second act was Santana, and while not a huge fan at the time, and had never seen them live, became one after. Just wow.

But the opening act, whom I had never heard before was The Outlaws. OMG, they had about 30 minutes and just blew the doors off the place and I think set the energy for the rest of the day. Finishing, of course, with their epic "Green Grass and High Tides".

Frampton didn't stand a chance. People stayed for "Show Me The Way" then started leaving. By the time he finished the encore with the awful "I'm In You" (apologies to anyone who likes that song) there couldn't have been more than 5000 people left in the stadium.

[2dueces]

If you love Chicago then “Brass Transit” is a must see. Obviously a Chicago tribute band but honestly they are 100% real Chicago. 2 hours of songs you know all the words to. Really special show.

[2dueces]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Certainly not on par with the bands discussed above, and zero coolness factor, but a few years ago my wife announced she wanted to see Bruno Mars for her birthday. I bought seats in the fist 10 rows of MSG. I had heard of him obviously, and probably knew one song. I was completely blown away by his level of showmanship. Seemed like a young cross of James Brown and Price, with zero edge. Just one of those times you watch someone perform and think how does one person 20 something years old have so much talent.

Saw a special on him maybe 60 minutes. Really likable kid who came from a humble background. Ultra talented. I’d pay to see him for sure. Coming from a person stuck in the 70’s that says a lot.

[mcgwirecom]

Its funny that this got posted yesterday. I was going through som old ticket stubs to put on Ebay. I found one from 1975 with the Doobie Brothers as headliner with The Marshall Tucker Band, The Outlaws and a group called Baker Gurvitz Army which had Ginger Baker as drummer.

[quinnsryche]

The Tragically Hip. Opened for Eric Johnson back in 1991/92. Couldn't believe how good they were. Have every CD now and it still makes me sad that Gord Downie has passed. Watch the documentary of their last show. I dare you not to cry. Outside of RUSH, the BEST Canadian band EVER.

[EvilKing00]

i didnt see these guys in concert but a few years back i heard a song that i just loved. was a new song but i brought me back to the grunge/rock 90's lol

song was called "satellite" by a band named Rise Against.

[riggs336]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

The Tragically Hip. Opened for Eric Johnson back in 1991/92. Couldn't believe how good they were. Have every CD now and it still makes me sad that Gord Downie has passed. Watch the documentary of their last show. I dare you not to cry. Outside of RUSH, the BEST Canadian band EVER.

Big fan of the Hip. In 1969 a fifteen-year old Eric Johnson would come to my apartment to take guitar lessons from my roommate (Lee Pence, now deceased and never famous). Eric was already in a band called Mariani and getting some local attention.
Here's a clip:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c_QuAMtOScgLiriano

Lee also tutored Carla Olson, later of the Textones with Cathy Valentine.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

The Tragically Hip. Opened for Eric Johnson back in 1991/92. Couldn't believe how good they were. Have every CD now and it still makes me sad that Gord Downie has passed. Watch the documentary of their last show. I dare you not to cry. Outside of RUSH, the BEST Canadian band EVER.

Danko Jones.

Another GREAT Canadian band.

Their "Sleep Is The Enemy" album is a good place to start...

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

The Tragically Hip. Opened for Eric Johnson back in 1991/92. Couldn't believe how good they were. Have every CD now and it still makes me sad that Gord Downie has passed. Watch the documentary of their last show. I dare you not to cry. Outside of RUSH, the BEST Canadian band EVER.

Better than Triumph?