I'm Getting Old

Sunday, the wife and I went to see the Black Crowes at the Tabernacle in Atlanta. It was pretty loud but not as loud as the Faith No More show with Helmet I saw in the early 90's. We ended up leaving a little early but it was still a good show. Since the Robinson brothers are from Atlanta (as are most of the band) and since it was Mother's Day, Mama Crowe was in the audience. Didnt see Chris's wife though... This got me thinking about all of the concerts I have seen over the years and I have decided to list some of my favorites in no particular order...

Flickerstick at the Roxy in Atlanta This was the third time to see the winners of VH1's show Bands on the Run. It is at least partially responsible for my wife and I marrying. We had dated for about a year but had quit dating. Flickerstick reawakened the feelings I had for wifey and we soon started dating again.

U2 at Legion Field, Birmingham AL 1990ish I love outdoor shows. This was the third show of the Zooropa tour that I had the chance to see. Sat around 12th row center. Opening acts were Big Audio Dynamite and Public Enemy. The irony of PE doing a song in Alabama that talked about racism and had people dressed as Klansmen on the stage, ending with the lynching of a Klansmen helped to make this show. U2 was great, too.

Willie Nelson The first time I saw Willie live was on a lark the day after the above U2 show (somehow I ended up with FREE tickets). I am usually not a big country fan but WOW. I have seen him a couple of times since.

The Wailers, early 90's Bob Marley's old band still tours. I had the chance to hang out with them before this show for several hours and then see them live. I need to see them again.

The Funky Meters, mid 90's Tippitinna's in New Orleans Art Neville's band. The night I saw them, all of the Neville Brothers dropped by to make cameo appearances. The night ended with a big Neville Brothers encore. Tippitinna's (the original one) is a great concert venue.

George Clinton 2003 Atlanta Another outdoor show. The wife and I were backstage with some friends for the entire show. Opening acts were some of my favorites, Drivin N Cryin and North Mississippi Allstars. We ate supper with everybody and got some photos and autographs.

REM 2002 Athens GA at the famed 40 Watt Club. I had just went to a local bar to hang out with some friends when I got a call from a friend in Athens. He asked what I was doing and told me to come to the 40 Watt for a fundraiser for a state legislator friend. I said it was too far. He then said that I would want to see the last band. He wasnt sure of the name they were using but that it was Mike Stipe, Mike Mills and Bill Berry (Peter Buck had missed a plane somewhere). I called the wife (we were dating then) and picked her up and drove to Athens. We stood about 15 feet from the stage. Bill Berry's first show since he had his brain problem.

John Mayer The first time I saw Mayer was at a Borders Books in the coffee shop. There was maybe 20 people there, most were trying to find a quiet place to study. Have seen him numerous times since then.

Rolling Stones, Legion Field, AL 1989 Another FREE ticket and I was there mainly to see Living Color open up for them but seeing the Stones live made them one of my favorite bands. Definitely one of the best shows I have ever seen.

Lenny Kravitz, Auburn AL 1990 ish Yet another FREE ticket. I was there to see the Cult. I was a huge Cult fan, until I saw them live (nothing like a singer too drunk to remember his own words to make you lose interest). Kravitz was the opening act and was incredible. Been hooked since.

Al Green Atlanta 2004 The wife and I enjoyed Rev Al sooooo much. Surprise Guest Isaac Hayes was good to see too.

Pink Floyd 1994 The last show to be played at Grant Field in Atlanta. Floyd is music, sound effects, lights, and movies. Sensory overload.

Lynnard Skynnard 1993 Fox Theatre Atlanta I won tickets off of the radio for front row center. Didnt like my date for the evening. They had Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, Zakk Wylde (formerly played with Ozzy), Brett Michaels (former front man of Poison now doing a solo country thing) and a bunch of other folks doing acoustic covers of their favorite Skynnard songs before the show started. The show was shown live on Pay Per View.

Jimmy Buffet I have seen Buffet more times than I can remember. His shows are some of the greatest times as are the parking lots pre-show. I even saw him in 1998 at the Gov's inaguration of Don Siegelman in Alabama. He sang "Stars Fell On Alabama"

Tuba Fats Funeral 2004 New Orleans Not what most people would call a concert but if you have ever seen a funeral procession in New Orleans you might be tempted to reconsider. Tuba played with tons of people (Dirty Dozen Brass Band, etc) and his procession had hundreds upon hundreds of people marching down Bourbon Street and playing instruments and singing and dancing. The procession was probably about 90 minutes long.

This list is getting long so let me just list a few together: Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raiit, Tom Petty, B B King, Buddy Guy, Dr. John and Mothers Finest.

Will probably post later today a more kidney oriented blog. And yes I know I didnt give you any links to the above bands but you can use Google to find them. Check out Pollstar to find out when they are playing in your neck of the woods.