I’d probably go for the 1991 Monsters of Rock concert in Moscow. Must’ve been hell of a time.
I would have liked to see The Who perform Tommy at their height… the first rock opera, and it was supposedly a sensation.
Live Aid, Wembly London, 1985.
Mostly just to watch Queen.
I’d choose the concert at which Beethoven’s 5th Symphony was premiered. The full program for the evening was as follows:
First Half
Symphony No. 6 in F major (Pastoral), Op. 68
Aria: “Ah! perfido”, Op. 65 (for soprano and orchestra)
Gloria movement from the Mass in C major, Op. 86
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 (performed by Beethoven as soloist)
Second Half
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Sanctus and Benedictus movements from the Mass in C major, Op. 86
Solo piano improvisation by Beethoven
Choral Fantasy, Op. 80 (finishing the evening with choir, vocal soloists, piano, and orchestra)
I simply would like to have been present when the most recognizable piece of music ever written first hit the public’s ears, as well as have the chance to see the man himself performing at the top of his game.
The first Rock in Rio
1985 Rock in Rio, for the fact that over 1.3 million were in attendance and could see Queen, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, Yes, and James Taylor. The sheer number alone would’ve been a sight to behold, to say nothing of the stellar lineup.
Honorable mention goes to KISS’s first reunion concert at Tiger Stadium back in '96, to see Ace and Peter’s renewed passion and for my love of Tiger Stadium itself.
I happened to be in Seattle for two days in 1991 when Nirvana was at the Paramount. I didn’t have tickets but a big regret is I didn’t take a taxi to at least be outside.
I did see Nirvana on their first tour when they made it all the way down here. It was a good time but I don’t really remember it as transcendent. There were fewer than 50 people there! In a local bar. I did get to meet them, they came all the way across the country in a little white van.
- Woodstock 1969
- The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park
- All of the shows that were used to record The Allman Brothers Band at the Fillmore East
Edit:
I wish I had been alive and aware of when the Beatles played the Ed Sullivan Show. I saw an interview with Paul Reiser and he said,” it so hard to describe what that was like. While I knew I was in my parent’s living room, I felt as though the Beatles were playing just for me.”
About 80 million people watched that.
Basically any Beatles concert in their “we’ve discovered LSD” prime would be on my list
Daft Punk Alive 2007
Was gonna say this one too
Rite of Spring debut in 1913
I remember hearing a story that Diaghilev was actually delighted after the show because he knew that controversy puts asses in your theater seats.
I’m not really into going to concerts, but I’ve tried to see Weird Al play three times and each time something has happened to prevent me from being able to see the concert, including but not limited to giant storms knocking out power to the venue and deaths in the family of the band.
I guess if I had to pick one it would probably be the first one I missed, the Running with Scissors tour.
Oh man, I’m sorry. He puts on an incredible show, and I highly encourage you to try again.
Agree that he puts on an incredible show. Definitely worth catching him if you can.
I’ve been a fan since I was a kid in the '80s, and my sons both liked him a lot (my youngest has all of his albums).
We saw him on the Poodle Hat tour, and it was a really great show.
Pulse, Pink Floyd 1995
Queen’s Live Aid 1985
Nightwish at Wacken 2013
All the recordings make it seem as the peak moment for the band. They had a few more good years, and are basically on a hiatus these days.
Bonnaroo 2009.
Specifically for Beastie Boys, as it was their last concert.
not a concert but a place - CBGB. It would have been really cool to frequent and see a ton of amazing bands get their start.
