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Top Ten + Four Bands/Artists That I Wish I Could See In Concert
Posted by isecore on November 18th, 2007
I love music. Music fills my world in almost any situation -sitting in front of the computer, talking a walk, relaxing in bed- there’s hardly any situation or place where I would refuse some excellent music. My taste in music is also rather eclectic and wide. I listen to almost everything from delta-blues to old-skool techno to death metal to progressive rock to folkmusic to reggae to classical music.
One thing that I’m also completely convinced of is that music is best experienced live. There’s really nothing that beats a great concert with competent musicians having a blast, and inviting the audience to share it with them.
Due to this, there’s a lot of artists and bands that I wish I could see live but for one reason or another can’t. In most cases it’s because either the artist is dead or the band is lacking a key member to make it happen. This list originated as a top-ten style list but even when I didn’t consult my catalogue of music and just limited it to the bands/artists that I could name from the top of my head I easily exceeded ten of them.
These are bands/artists that were too magical to be merely recorded, and the only true way to experience them would’ve been to see them in concert. Unfortunately I came of age too late to be able to do just that in most cases, and that’s why they’ll be consigned to being a dream never to see realization.
Thus, I give you the Top Ten + Four Bands/Artists That I Wish I Could See In Concert:
Well, this is a bit obvious. Who wouldn’t have wanted to see what is arguably one of the greatest, most influential and creative guitarplayers in history? I’ve seen some footage of Jimi performing, and the man knew how to play. Not only did he know how to handle the guitar, he was also crazy enough to always try to expand his music and playing style. A true legend who was brutally taken away from the world far too early.
Janis Joplin and the Big Brother Holding Company
Now, Janis and her backing band aren’t the most talented or technically brilliant musicians ever. At least not in my humble opinion. Instead, what really made them intense as musicians was an extremely raw passion for what they were doing. Unfortunately in that process Janis soaked herself in alcohol and exited stage left.
I first discovered the Doors in my early teens. My parents had their LP’s and it didn’t take long until I was sitting in darkened rooms listening to Jim Morrissons haunting lyrics set to the background of the musical fusion provided by the rest of the band. Unfortunately drugs and alcohol got the better of Jim and just like the two previous on this list he departed early. Without him, The Doors just weren’t open for business any more.
The blues-man from Texas is someone I would’ve loved seeing in concert. A more intense man working in the electric-blues field I don’t think ever existed - playing until his fingers literally bled and then supergluing the calluses back to keep on playing. A master of the electric blues, with a presence heavier than a black hole and with a limitless talent for playing the guitar. The only thing up for question was his sense of fashion - or lack thereof. Despite cleaning up his act and kicking drugs and alcohol fate wanted things differently, and Stevie perished in 1990, only 35 years old.
Inventors of Groove Metal and the brainchild of Rob Zombie. Disbanded in 1998 and even though all the members are still alive there’s no way of White Zombie ever re-uniting. Even if they did, it probably would be a pale copy of what they once were. Rob prefers to direct gory horror-movies and the other members don’t seem to be on speaking terms with each other.
Sheena was a punkrocker, and Sheena sure as hell listened to The Ramones. Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and various other Ramones are probably being really annoying in some alternate dimension these days since most of them are dead. The Ramones were an unquestionable influence on multiple genres and bands, and I’d have loved seeing this crazy fourpiece live. The kids were hopped up and ready to go then.
Say “reggae” to anyone and they will say Bob Marley. Combined with his backing band The Wailers he made reggae popular and somehow managed to not sell out or lose his ideals along the way. Sure, there were/are lots of other great reggae bands, but none that really managed to match Bob Marley and the Wailers.
One of the few bands from the psychedelic sixties who managed to survive that era without losing members to alcohol or drugs, despite being heavily into both. In fact, the only reason the grim reaper has started visiting them lately is because of old age. Jefferson Airplane later morphed into Jefferson Starship, and when Grace Slick lost the rights to that name it morphed into just plain Starship and was responsible for some really horrible 80’s hits. But good old Jefferson Airplane was at the height of 60’s psychedelia, and if you follow the white rabbit you might find them, or at the very least a hooka-smoking caterpillar.
The man in black was a legend. Strip him down to a guitar and his singing and he was intense and brilliant, and also with a weird sense of humor. Backed by the Tennessee Two (later Three) he was at his best. The man who fused country and rock and who walked the line between them almost died until he found June Carter and later on God. Despite leaving this realm in 2003 his music will keep on talking to people for centuries.
Who said brits can’t play blues-tinged rock? Led Zeppelin was just like it’s name implied - huge and heavy. Jimmy Page took the blues and added his own flourishes, coupled it with Robert Plants vocals and added a crazy drummer and the mixture was pretty much done. Unfortunately John Bonham died in 1980 and that solidly put a stop to any future Led Zeppelin-albums. However one reunion show has been announced - with the late Bonhams son Jason behind the drums - but none the less it will be impossible to experience the real Led Zeppelin.
A once great band who for the last 20 years have morphed into a nostalgia-act. Sure, they still release albums every now and then, but essentially The Who of today is the guys version of Cher. Endless farewell-tours and no real substance, living on former glory. In my opinion The Who died the same instant that Keith Moon kicked the bucket, since he was such a catalyst for the other bandmembers.
The vital parts of the “real” Skynyrd didn’t survive a plane-crash in 1977. Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines bought the farm in the crash, and unfortunately that turned out to be the heart and soul of Skynyrd. A decade after the crash they reformed with some of the original members, brought in Ronnies younger brother Johnny on vocals, but the magic was unfortunately gone.
Most of Pink Floyd still lives on, except for Syd Barrett who died in 2006. None the less, Syd was only a brief influence on the Floyd, and most of what me and other enthusiasts view as the “real” Floyd is the one helmed by Roger Waters and David Gilmour. Unfortunately relations have been tense between the two for decades, and apart from four songs performed in 2005 for the Live 8 concerts they haven’t shared a stage for almost three decades.
Last but definitely not least is the band fronted by one of the most wonderfully flamboyant men to ever grace a stage. Freddie Mercury died from AIDS in 1991, and even though various other singers have sometimes performed the songs together with other bits of Queen the band cannot exist without Freddie. Freddie was a vital part of why Queen worked, and filling his shoes is a tough call. So far no singer has even come close to matching his showmanship and energy.
The floor is now open for suggestions and debate.
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