If you had access to a time machine, what concerts would you go back to see?

@sgreg1, you make two good points:

1) "SRV, so I could tell him not to get on the helicopter!"

Now that's the kind of creative response that I've been looking for in this thread!!

2) "I was there...but, I didn't have the opportunity to remember the music."

The first time I wrote down a setlist was on Springsteen's "The River" tour in 1980. I knew that he would play for 3 1/2 - 4 hours, so I figured that was the best way I could remember the show.

A few years ago, I discovered the website: "SETLIST.FM." This is a very helpful site, as I have found setlist's posted from shows that I saw all the way back to the 1970's!

1913 Paris, France for the premier of "The Rite Of Spring". 


Early 1930s Mississippi -- I'd track down performances by Charley Patton, Robert Johnson and Henry Sloan.

11/7/40 -- the Crystal Ballroom in Fargo, ND to see the Duke Ellington Orchestra.  That's the band with Ben Webster, Johnny Hodges and Jimmy Blanton.

1972 -- Stan Getz "Captain Marvel" band featuring Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Airto Moreira and Tony Williams.

Queen in 1978.   My first concert ever, and my only time seeing Queen.

The Who in 1979.  My first Who concert.  Too bad Keith Moon had already passed away then.  I have seen them at least 6 or 7 times since.   Still my all time favorite band.  I even ran into Pete Townshend in a 5th Avenue shop in NYC back in the late 90's.  I asked for his autograph, and then he started striking up a conversation with me.  It was so unexpected that I almost got on my knees and bow to him screaming "I'm not worthy!".

Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl
Rolling Stones in Hyde Park
Sex Pistols (under the pseudonym Acne Rabble) at the Rock Garden, UK

@dweller 

Saw the Pretenders open on the U2 - Joshua Tree tour. The Pretenders were quite good, but even better on their appearance on Austin City Limits a few years ago. I've watched that ACL show a few times and will watch it again, they were so tight and Martin Chambers is just amazing with both the bassist and guitar players right there too. Chrissie also doing an excellent job on guitar and vocals. It is a stellar show.