QOTD: First Concerts

[allison]

The Cure with Love & Rockets and The Pixies opening. CNE Grandstand, I think it was the summer of 1989. Awesome.

This was my first show I bought the tickets for, went with friends without any family members and actually remember.

[TheGoodRev]

Myrna does win.

I skipped my grade 8 grad to see The Hip in Brockville. My mom said I would always regret that decision' date=' but she was wrong.[/quote']

Man I skipped my high school graduation to see Skynyrd (with Deep Purple and Ted Nugent). I took a lot of shit for it but I don't regret it in the slightest. Fuckin Skynyrd man! Even if they were a half-original abomination.

What year was that? Original guitarist Ed King left the band due to illness in 1996. Guitarist Allen Collins - their most important member outside of Ronnie Van Zandt - died in 1990. Bassist Leon Wilkeson died in 2001. I'm not exactly sure when Artimus Pyle left the band. I believe at best you saw three original memebers. Only two core members exist now in Skynyrd: Gary Rossington and Billy Powell. Lynyrd Skynyrd remain one of the best "non-official" tribute bands, although it feels wrong calling them Lynyrd Skynyrd.

It would have been 2001...Leon Wilkeson died just a couple months after the show I saw, on the same tour. I didn't even think that Artimus Pyle was ever a part of the reformed Skynyrd but Allmusic tells me he did one record with them and left in 91. But yeah, I use the term 'half-original' very loosely, I'm pretty sure I was aware at the time that I was only seeing three O.G.'s and a crew of hired guns. It was still a sweet show though.

[reba]

david bowie at the pontiac silverdome in 1987. the glass spider tour.

[Irie Guy]

david bowie at the pontiac silverdome in 1987. the glass spider tour.

Saw the CNE Show on this tour. It was David Bowie, Duran Duran and I think a 3rd act. This was a dream as David Bowie played a huge part of my earlier youth.

[Kanada Kev]

There was no FIRST concert for me, but rather festivals as a kid. I was luck and my Mom took me to Mariposa every summer for a number of years in the mid-70s. Was exposed to tons of music at those and got the killer hippie festy vibe instilled at a young age. Take a look at some footage here (i may even be in there somewhere ):

http://www.efootage.com/masters/B-2355/50s-Dance,-70s-Hippies

First "big" concert with family: Billy Joel at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1978 (52nd Street tour). I was 8, but I remember it distinctly and the fact that there was a gorilla wearing a yellow 1050 CHUM shirt running around in the crowd

First show w/out adult supervision: UB40 @ Massey Hall 1985 (Rat In The Kitchen tour) ... ahhhh sweet sweet ganja filling the air and raggae :)

[c-towns]

tea party, western fair, circa 1996, I thought I was seeing Jim Morrison at the time, bottle tokes anyone?

[Esau.]

I'd have to ask my Ma, but I know it was Mariposa Folk Fest, early 70s.

First concert without a parent:

The Clash - Maple Leaf Gardens april 84.

[color:red][edit to add]

Hey Kev, we had similar childhoods it sounds like, pertaining to music anyway. I wonder if we attended the same Mariposa's.

Edited April 28, 2008 by Guest

[Kanada Kev]

Hey Kev, we had similar childhoods it sounds like, pertaining to music anyway. I wonder if we attended the same Mariposa's.

Ha! I'm sure we were. I have fond memories of being able to boot around the site on my own and there were no worries. I remember there being a lot of artists there as well. Everything was interactive too. I remember a blacksmith letting me help him out (putting hot metal into cold water is wayyyy cool as a little kid). There was also dressup, crafts, etc. My sister made it on the cover of the Globe & Mail one year all dressed-up and hippie like as a youngun

I give all the credit to my mom. She rocks. She brought me up on killer music and took me out to experience it as well. I remember going to see The Last Waltz and Tommy with her in the movie theaters. I took her to see Pink Floyd for her birthday at one of the 3 Division Bell shows at the Ex (i went to all 3 ). I asked her partway in how she was liking it ... she said it was really good, but not nearly as loud as the Animals tour at MLG!! Damn ... i must have been left home with a babysitter that night

[Ms.Huxtable]

What a great thread. We've all had such different experiences.

My first ever concert was with my parents in the very early 80's. It was Dolly Parton and I have loved her ever since.

The first concert I ever attended by choice was New Kids on the Block at Canada's Wonderland Theater (Kingswood?)

[Booche]

Easu should appreciate this. I always thought that place was called The Wonderland Of Canada.

[Kanada Kev]

I suppose you thought the NHL was the League of National Hockey too, eh?

[Booche]

Kev, I am willing to bet you havent realized who I am essentially quoting.

[phishtaper]

John Mayer?