Live Performances Gone Awry

Dayglow. I know what you mean about Ozzy giving a karaoke version of Iron Man. I drove up to Montreal sometime in the 90's to see Black Sabbath's farewell tour. The entire band played perfectly with the exception of Ozzy's voice. I'll never forget that show because our hotel had a Molson vending machine on each floor and the Canadians were smoking black hash in front of security at the concert. I was so used to smelling pot at concerts, so to be at one with 20k fans filled with black hash smoke was totally new to me.

This is a great thread, people! Thanks! -- and keep 'em coming!

I've seen Lucinda grumpy and Jerry spacey, but sadly (or happily), I don't seem to have anything truly memorable to add.

John

I remember fearing for my life during a Johnny Winter concert at Madison Square Garden. The crowd rushed the stage and many were trampled on, bottles flew all over the place. We had second row seats and the crowd just pushed them over, I left with bruises on my ribs from being pressed against the wooden barricades. Johnny had to stop the show numerous times, pleading with the audience to calm down, threatened to leave for the saftey of all (who could blame him?). Johnny then played a beautiful slow blues tune, the crowd finally settled down, and the show went on.
All in all, just plain ugly!

I just remembered another couple of incidents. The first is slightly OT, but maybe close enough.

John Lennon hosted a concert at MSG in New York, called "One To One". It was the end of a day on which volunteers spent the day with disabled children and then had free seats to the show. As a result, the lower deck was reserved for the volunteers and kids.

Not surprisingly, some were moving slower than expected and, when the lights went down, the crowd surged into the empty seats that were supposed to be for the kids/volunteers. Geraldo Rivera (?!), who was hosting the event, announced:

"That's alright. Move on down, this is a democracy."

Bad way to start a show. Then, Yoko Ono played a set. As far as I could tell, nothing went wrong.....but I'd still rather sit thru many of the disasters described above than sit thru Yoko in top form.

Also at MSG, the "Bob Fest" tribute to Dylan. Lou Reed stood behind sheet music and/or lyrics and fumbled his way thru a (mercifully brief) set that he appeared completely unfamiliar with.

Marty

One word... Altamont.