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

Early 70's in DC Joni Mitchell had an unknown solo Jackson Browne open up for her. He was great.

In about '77 Cindy Lauper opened for Tina Turner in NYC.  At that time Cindy fronted a very cool Rock a Billy band Blue Angel.  She was a star waiting to happen.

1991 Rocky Point Theater in RI, hold about 2000 people. I was a little punk still in high school.

This no name band opened for Red Hot Cilli Peppers

Pearl Jam, then another band came on after called Smashing Pumpkins. 

This was before both bands debut albums came out. That Monday went to the record stores, no one had a clue who I was talking about, both bands we not only amazing, changed my music taste path.

In 1969 I went to a show at The Pavillion in Flushing Meadows, NYC (site of the Worlds Fair), to hear the Charley Musselwhite Blues Band and Savoy Brown.  An opening act went on and blew the roof off the place…which was an open-air venue…a new band out of SF called Santana.  This was a week before Woodstock.  They announced they would be giving a free concert in the Central Park Sheep Meadow the next day, along with Jefferson Airplane, who were performing at the Fillmore East that weekend.  I went to that show, too.  The jam session with Carlos and Jorma with Jack on bass and Santana’s rhythm section is a lifelong memory I cherish. Hot Santuna!

In 1969 at Memorial Auditorium in Dallas I saw Jimi Hendrix and the opening band was a new band called The Chicago Transit Authority who became just Chicago. Sat 3rd row center. Never will forget that show.

In 1970 I saw The Rolling Stones at McFarlin Auditorium in Dallas and they were 1&1/2 hours late and the opening band, Chuck Berry, played for almost 3 hours and killed it. I didn't care whether the Stones showed up or not, he was that good.

@jimsnicestuff 

When people are asked and share their memories about Jimi Hendrix and best opening acts, I'm hoping someone will reminisce about seeing Jimi Hendrix opening for the Monkees in 1967.