The best opening act you've ever seen & heard?


 

I have two:

 

In 1983 I went to see The Plimsouls (Peter Case’s pre-solo career band) at The Garage, a tiny little "club" on Ventura Blvd. The room had filled up (elbow-to-elbow tight), and the opening act started their set. My woman and I both looked at each other, our mouths agape. It was Los Lobos, and they were great! Their debut album How Will The Wolf Survive? had yet to be released, but I sure picked it up when it was.

 

I went to see John Hiatt at The Roxy Theater on Sunset Blvd. during his Perfectly Good Guitar tour, entering the room just as the opening act was starting her final song. The ads for the show listed her name, which was unfamiliar to me. As the song started and progressed, I was stunned; the song she and her band were performing was a great one, and I knew I had missed a quality set of music. It was Sheryl Crow, whose debut album had not yet been released. Damn it!

 

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Outlaws opened for Skynyrd. "There goes another love song" was on the radio some, but few were prepared for The Florida Guitar Army. 40 minute long Green Grass and High Tides encore blew everyone away.

Skynyrd came out drunk and were terrible and we left. 

Night Ranger opened for 38 Special at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in 1984. 

I saw the Journey Departure tour in 1980. The Babys were originally scheduled to open but the date got pushed back and they had a conflict with the make up date. Too bad, I would have liked to have seen them live.

The Babys were originally scheduled to open

Wow, @csmgolf , I haven't heard anyone mention that group for a long long time.  As I remember, I kind of liked them.

1979 south side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes opened for j geils band,  Boston Gahden. Floor seats, $7.50. Next time Ian hunter and Mott the hoople opened for j geils, v maybe 1980.whew amazing opening acts