I'm talking about bands/performers that no longer perform live anymore (death, dissolution, etc.). Who would you kill to see? My first choice would definitely be Jimi Hendrix. I love his music, but on a whim I decided to give some of his live recordings a chance. That turned into a bit of an obsesssion. I think I've downloaded/listened to almost all of his live recordings and there's really nothing like it. He's so spontaneous, creative, energetic, and overwhelming. It's like, when he's on the stage, he forgets about any pop sensibilities and just unleashes the full power of his guitar. I'd have liked to catch a concert of his in the summer of 1968. That's just before he broke up the Experience, but when he started to experiment more with his music (longer instrumentals/solos, forays into soul and funk music). After that, Led Zeppelin would be my second choice. When they were creating music, they were known for emphasizing the importance of the entire album. That supposedly really came through during their performances. They would push each composition as far as it could go, often transitioning in and out of old blues tunes mid-song. They played marathon concerts, with some of their better known songs going upwards of 20-30 minutes when it was all said and done. Apparently they had some very inventive lighting effects that were ahead of their time. And I feel like being blasted by Bonham's drumming or Plant's voice in person would a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'm hoping Rage Against the Machine comes up to Canada (or somewhere closeby) so that they won't eventually end up on this list.
I have this album where Hendrix was performing in a club that Morrison was chilling at. In the middle of his set, Morrison comes up and they start an impromptu song. He's so drunk, all you hear is him bellowing nonsensically and yelling the word "fuck" and "pussy" for 2-3 minutes.
Where's the best place to find live recordings of Hendrix? I'd probably want to see Hendrix or Marley. I also regret never seeing Michael Jackson live.
Honestly, I downloaded most of them off the internet. So many of them became out of print after a while. Plus when it comes to the more unknown ones, you don't if it'll be worth your money (sometimes he's too drugged out, sometimes the sound quality isn't very good). His best stuff is available at most good record shops though (Live at Fillmore East, Winterland Night, Live at Monterey, Stockholm Concert, Live at Woodstock). If you can ever find a torrent for the "Stages" compilation, I'd get on it (it took me forever to find and download one). Bob Marley would have been incredible.
I know many of you might laugh, but I really wish I could of saw the old school Guns N' Roses. They were in full force when my mom was a teenager and I was a toddler, so I like grew up listening to Guns N' Roses and Ozzy since my mom had all their CD's. Like I was able to see Ozzy plenty of times at the Ozzfest and even saw Black Sabbath one year. Always thought it would be interesting to see Elvis or James Brown in their prime too.
I agree with most choices in this thread. I would like to add a few more names. Queen, Beatles and Sex Pistols.
Well, Metallica would be at the top of this list had I not seen them last November. However, if we could somehow resurrect Cliff Burton from the dead to perform one show, I'd definitely give my left kidney to see that. I'd definitely have to go with the original GNR lineup. Appetite is a fantastic album, definitely one of the better that came out of the '80s. Pantera is another band that I'd love to have seen live. Plus Soundgarden. And we could even throw in Iron Maiden (even though I'm well aware that they're still together).
Zep Alice in Chains Pearl Jam right after ten came out Soundgarden Ray Charles Johnny Cash Elvis Nirvana
Pantera circa 1994...god i miss Dimebag. [video=youtube;s9raw6qc6hs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9raw6qc6hs[/video]
