Bob's Chat

I've been thinking recently about all the giants of blues & rock music who I've been fortunate to have seen perform live over the years.

Most of the ones I've seen were at concerts in Australia and mostly in the 1970s. There have been way too many to remember and to try and list them all so I'll just pick out some of the highlights, the ones who really blew me away and left vivid memories. 

The Rolling Stones 1965 and again in 1973. First time it was the original early Stones with Brian Jones, doing "Not Fade Away" and "Mona", and more of those early classics. Then again in 1973, a very different Stones with Mick Taylor, also along for the ride were Bobby Keys and Nicky Hopkins. I have a vivid memory of Jagger singing "Midnight Rambler" and whacking the stage floor with his belt.

Johnny Cash, with June Carter, Mother Maybelle Carter & the Carter Sisters and Carl Perkins in 1973. Carl Perkins wasn't advertised as being on the show, so I was totally blown away when JC introduced Carl. Halfway through the show Carl did a set of his best known songs. And to see Mother Maybelle Carter and her daughters performing live was one of the highlights of my life. What a night of legends.

Bo Diddley 1973, I saw Bo play live numerous times over several tours he made. On a good night he was unbeatable, he could rock a crowd up into a frenzy. First time I saw Bo live he played the song Bo Diddley for around 35 minutes, every 5 minutes or so he'd crank the tension up a notch until he had the entire audience on their feet grooving along with him to that infectious driving rhythm. I can't think of any other guitar player who could play just one chord (with a few tricks thrown in) for over half an hour and have everyone screaming for more. 

Some of the Guitar Legends I've seen live:

BB King 
Freddie King
Buddy Guy
Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page (with Led Zep in 1972)
Roy Buchanan
Jeff Beck
Rory Gallagher
Mick Taylor
John McLaughlin (with Mahavishnu Orchestra + Jean-Luc Ponty)
Harvey Mandel (with Canned Heat)
Chuck Berry

I wasn't really a big Zep fan before I saw them perform live in Australia in 1972, their heavy rock songs were good but what did totally blow me away was the acoustic set they did in the middle of the show, that was incredible music: "Going to California", Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp", "That's the Way". I was stunned.

Anyway these are some of the best shows I've seen, how about you guys? Let us know what shows you've seen, which legends you have seen play live.