LOUDEST Concert and Tinnitus

Without a doubt, YES at Duke Indoor in 1972.  Worse, I moved to FL after graduation that year and saw them again at the old SPORTATORIUM in Hollywood, FL.  I had to do the same thing I did at Duke--I went to the furthest seat available at the very rear of the place and it was STILL hurting my ears.

I had just left our band, which itself was loud after playing for years in various bands at high volume standing in front of amps.  I personally had a SUNN Scepter, which was no shrinking violet itself.

THANKFULLY, in spite of attending MANY concerts over the years--the first was Ray Charles at the DOME in Virginia Beach in 1962--my hearing seems to be just fine.  Selling high-end audio beginning in 1974 helped me develop a more discerning ear.  I consider myself LUCKY based on my past exposure to very loud music for many years.

I confess, I still crank up the volume on the Maggies for some songs--Dicky and Duane's back-to-back guitar solos on "Stormy Monday" Live at the Fillmore East, Heart's version of the great Nillson tune "Without You" on Magazine, Felder and Walsh guitar solo on "Hotel California," Eagles version of the Charles Brown tune "Please Come Home for Christmas," and many others.  Since Maggies don't cause in "listening fatigue," it is a pleasure to crank them up sometimes.

Cheers!

The single loudest show was Neil Young and Crazy Horse, painfully loud and annoying. We walked out.

To many 70’s Electric Hot Tuna shows, most of them 5 hours plus is what took its toll on my hearing. Loved it!

My tinnitus is neck muscle related (cervicogenic tinnitus) or what I call IPad neck. Neck exercises and PT have been helpful, but it’s taken its toll on my enjoyment of listening to my system.

Triple bill in 1979 or so:  Pat Travers / Scorpions / Sammy Hagar; I was in first few rows and the cabinets were all sitting on the stage (not flown from ceiling)--ouch!  Plus Rush Hemispheres around that time as well (fantastic concert).  I do have tinnitus, though not at a level that it bothers me much of the time.  It does bother me some of the time.  I cannot tell if it is getting worse or not.  I suspect that mine is more due to car audio poor judgement (and not only when I was young(!)).

I've been to Emerson Lake and Palmer concerts and Yes concerts and while loud, the concert that was absolutely painful enough that it just wasn't fun was Ted Nugent. The worst music listening decision I ever made. Oh my gosh it hurts thinking about it. I did finally leave. 

Oh yeah the tinnitus part. That started longer ago than I can remember. Most of the time I can increase the volume and drown it out.