Judas Priest, Defenders Of The Faith tour, Madison Square Garden, NYC, June 1984. I was 15? I believe,
That was the infamous show, where the fans tore the cushion foam out of the seats and threw it onstage. It caused $250,000 worth of damage and caused Priest to be banned from playing the Garden ever again. I think the ban is still in effect.
You can read about it at Ultimate Classic Rock, by clicking on the highlighted story title, 40 Years Ago: Judas Priest Fans Trash Madison Square Garden.
79 Responses
van halen diver down tour brendan byrne arena east rutherford NJ november 1982, i was 12 years old.
Oooo, Anthony,
Another good one!
Diver Down was my second concert, and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen
Black Oak Arkansas and REO Speedwagon…..Oct 1973….14 years old
Slaughter opened for Poison. Johnstown War Memorial. I was 19 or 20.
Funny and embarrassing story: At the time, I was (and still am) a huge metal head, but now i enjoy all 80’s music because those were my high school years. Because back in those days, metal heads didn’t listen to pop music, or admit to it, lol!! I had (and still do have) a thing for Debbie Gibson. My dad and Stepmom had my birthday cake made up with the “Electric Youth” profile picture.
I actually saw her last year at Stage A.E. in Pittsburgh and did a meet and greet. I was also 1 of 10 people who got to watch the concert on the side of the stage as part of the package. We all had seats right next to her piano. What a sweetheart she was!!. Got a hug and some photos I’ll cherish for ever, LOL!!!
Seanchristopher, I think most metal heads in the 80s were also “closet” fans of Debbie Gibson and other cute pop artists. I know I was one of them! I, too, have Debbie Gibson’s “Electric Youth” album. I enjoyed Gibson, Tiffany, Madonna, and others. And while I was also one of those “disco sucks” people, I secretely listened to The Bee Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band, and other disco artists….and I still do to this day…..
sometimes, I just can’t listen to rock and have to listen to disco/R&B…so right now, I have NuShooz on the turntable, and I would say they’re a lot better than Madonna was.
I love disco! Always have, and always will! And I’m not afraid or embarrassed to admit it! Also love old school R&B, soul, funk, jazz, punk, old school pop music, rock (of course) heavy metal (of course) everything EXCEPT rap!! Oh, and opera (eye roll) I remember 1 of my first concerts was a disco concert (I think I was 11?) Vicki Sue Robinson, Andrea True Connection, and many others! Can’t remember where though, it was somewhere in New York, or maybe even New Jersey. I recently saw KC & The Sunshine Band with my husband 2 years ago, seeing them again in November! It’s all good!
Correction (C)Rap ;).
Old school rap, such as Young MC,, Run-DMC, or even Biz Markie‘s hit, Just A Friend, seems absolutely poetic, and melodic, compared to modern Hip Hop, which, in my humble opinion, is complete garbage.
It’s funny, my fiancee, mainly works with Jazz artists and musicians, and other than you, and my mother, who likes smooth Jazz, I cannot find anyone else that I know, who likes Jazz, it seems to be a polarizing genre.
It’s odd, because while I am not a fan either, smooth Jazz is acceptable, there are far worse genres, such as (C)Rap, modern classical (which can be very dissonant) and some types of foreign music.
It was actually Kool & The Gang that turned me on to jazz with “Summer Madness,” they’re not a jazz band, but that song speaks for itself! Another great one is “Breezin'” by George Benson, after hearing that song, I was hooked!
Doug,
Very interesting. My mother, sometimes had FM 101.9 (I think that used to be the call letters) Smooth Jazz, on the radio, when she was doing house or paperwork. It made for easy listening, and as I wrote it was great background music. I am sure they played George Benson. My mother also liked to play the Gypsy Kings and Ottmar Liebert while doing housework. Unlike me, she has far more diverse taste.
Ok first real concert…Van Halen, Quiet riot at Pasadena City college auditorium..
For 6 dollars..
I don’t know if that counts…but first major concert Was US festival. Also being in LA almost every 78 thru 88 hair metal band .
Before they were signed or shortly after being signed. Lots of great times.
Mike, at your first concert, did you see Randy Rhoads perform with Quiet Riot?
2/27/81 radio city music hall, cheap trick. i was 11. great show. they opened with “stop this game”. then-new bass player pete comita’s introduction included “…his first time in new york city!” still got the jersey.