2. music
  3. 164705-152421

Worst Concerts You Have Attended ??

I just left a remark about a favorite band of mine back in the day - April Wine - that I saw in concert and was disappointed. Could have been that it was an off night for them, or maybe they were never good in concert. Maybe the lead guitarist had too much to drink? April Wine was not the worst, however. I remember Neil Young in the 1990's who was on his one-man acoustic show type of tour that many artists were taking advantage of (perhaps for financial reasons) during that time. While a friend of I had near front row seats at Desert Sky Pavilion (now Ak-Chin) in Pheonix, the crowd was just roused up into a frenzy by the warm-up band (James) and here comes Neil and his guitar/harmonica. Wow, what a sonic letdown. I remember getting up and leaving and feeling Neil's glaring eyes on us as we ushered out. I think, to this day, he probably still remembers me. We all can remember the great live concerts we attended, but what were the worst and why?
goodlistening64
discnik
161 posts
 
Atlanta Pop Festival, July 4th & 5th 1969...the music and bands were good, but it was over 100 degrees on both days. Held at the Atlanta International Raceway (NASCAR venue) on the infield and the heat from the huge racetrack baked the crowd. Firetrucks were called in to spray as many people as possible due to the number that were passing out. I had spent the summer working construction, so it didn't bother me to that extent.
discnik
161 posts
 
True addendum to the Atlanta Pop Festival posting....I went with several friends, one of whom had been burned a few weeks earlier when he gave someone $20 for a bag of weed. The guy disappeared into a house and never showed back up. At the concert, we all went back to the car for some special refreshments  and when we returned to our blankets, the same dude was sitting on one of them. We escorted him back in the direction of our car, but at the gate, he started yelling for help. We melted into the crowd and he was ultimately arrested on an outstanding warrant. How's that for karma?
jayrossi13's avatar
jayrossi13
186 posts
 
1) Journey without Steve Perry. Neal Schon's continuous solos were ego-induced and totally unnecessary. The vocals were like bad karaoke.

2) Duran Duran in 2019. They came out two hours late and were totally lifeless. 
dgw4tube
11 posts
 
“Hawkwind” Auditorium Theatre, Chicago 1974. 
mikapen
31 posts
 
Gordon Lightfoot, Red Rocks, early 70's.The band arrived on stage 30 minutes late, without Gordon. They tuned up for 20 minutes, played a couple of licks, and then sat there for another 15 minutes, waiting for G.L to show. Then they left.
Came back another 20 minutes later, kind of helping G.L. to his chair on stage. He couldn't hold his guitar, so it sat in its stand. They all assumed their places, then G.L. fell off his stool.
The band tried various methods to prop him up on a shorter chair, then he fell again and they carted him backstage.We were sitting in the front third of the Amphitheater, and the crowd was so angry after the second exit without even a peep from G.L. that they started throwing bottles at the stage.
All in all, we waited for 1 1/2 hours, heard nothing, and had to run to avoid the missiles.

Truth be known, I have attended several shows in Colorado, where the drugged or boozed up performers seemed to underestimate just how much effect Mile High thin air has on their ability to stand.
More to discover