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.
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Rush, Moving Pictures tour, February 1981, International Amphitheater Chicago, as an 18-year old youth.
Max Webster was the opening band. We bought tickets the day of the show and sat all the way in the back.
Funny thing is, I didn’t like early Rush. A friend’s older brother jammed them all the time. I’d make fun of the high pitched vocals, not realizing what was going on musically. When Moving Pictures came out, they were more polished and commercially friendly. and I was liking the sound and radio hits.
At the same time, fellow Canadians Max Webster (main star Kim Mitchell) had their one-hit-wonder Battle Scar which had special guest Geddy Lee adding vocals to this song. It got lots of airplay here in Chicago, mostly because of the Geddy Lee connection. Great song, pretty heavy, check out Battle Scar by Max Webster on the Universal Juveniles album.
So the concert begins and I have to listen to 45 minutes of Max Webster songs I’ve never heard of, until their finale, Battle Scar. I was hoping for Geddy to come out and sing his parts, but no. In today’s world, they would’ve had the vocals “canned” but back then it was live and NO Memorex.
Then Rush takes the stage and all the magic happens. The next couple hours I’m blown away by the incredible sound and musicianship coming from just 3 guys on stage. Needless to say, it was awesome and left a permanent impression on me and I became a super fan for life!
Awesome story. I’m a big RUSH fan. Those guys were hands down the best Trio in Rock n’ Roll. RIP Neil
Unfortunately my first concert was Kiss on their Animalize tour with Queensryche opening, February 7th 1985, at the Aladdin theater in Las Vegas, NV and I was 14. I was excited to see them because I was a fan back then, but the show itself was very uninspiring and actually kind of boring. We left early and went to and get drunk instead lol Wasn’t much of a fan ever since. My second show was much better, Metallica opening for Ozzy, but sadly I don’t really remember it. King alcohol had me in a blackout for most of the night, and I only remember very little. But at least I can say I got to see Metallica with Cliff Burton, even if I don’t remember much about it lol
LOL!! Well, at least you had fun.
Seems that I did, but can’t say for sure lol
Night Ranger, Tony Carey opened.. 1983, Corpus Christi, TX, 13 years old.. Fun fact, ticket was $11.50.. Those were the days, and yes it was a great show.
Cheers..
I don’t even know who Tony Carey is.
My first show concert was Beatlemania Jan 21, 1981 at Alumni Hall London Ontario Canada. My Father took my brother and I. I was 8 and we were all big Beatles fans. I remember it being an awesome show and was impressed how much the members looked like the Fab Four.
Oh, I went to Beatlemania as a child, too. I did not know that qualified as a “concert.”
Lol, I thought the same thing at first. So, that’s why I posted Foreigner when I was 13 earlier in the thread After a memory flashback, I figured it qualified, being a cover band and all. Certainly more legit than say, Ice-Capades or Sesame Street shows.
LOL! Let’s quantify as a legit, original band (not a cover band or kiddie show).
My first concert was KISS at MSG in NYC on December 16, 1977 (Love Gun Tour), at the young impressionable age of 14. Still can’t believe my parents let me, my two brothers and group of friends bus into Port Authority and walk that walk to the Garden.
This is back when 42nd. Street wasn’t exactly as it is now…as I recall a Lady of the Night asked me “Do you want a date Jersey Boy?” I turned to my friend who was a few years older than me and asked “How did she know I was from New Jersey?” He said “Mike…You may as well stamped on your forehead.”
The opening band was Piper with a yet unknow singer/guitarist named Billy Squier. I think I remember Eddie saying this was also his first one, but I beg pardon if I’m wrong about that.
PS – Dana, thanks for getting me to the correct place to post! I was also at the infamous Priest-Chair-Cushion show! Good times!
Mike,
It’s so cool to know you were also there at that infamous Priest show.
Also, how did she know you were from New Jersey? Inquiring minds….