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• Thursday, June 28, 2007 02:59 PM

  Live Music:The Golden Years

  I turned 51 years old yesterday,but I still love music of all kinds.However,I wouldn't be caught dead at a stadium/arena show these days.Aside from the outrageous ticket prices,there are VERY few "big ticket" acts I'd even bother with if the show was free.I agree with several others who've mentioned concertgoers BEHAVIOUR as well.I don't mind the pot smoke,but the obnoxious screaming (and,God help us..."singing" along) are too much to bear.

  That said,there are still GREAT artists who regularly appear at smaller,intimate venues for reasonable ticket prices,especailly,as others have noted,the amazing Richard Thompson and Dave Alvin,Lucinda Williams,etc. As for TRULY GREAT CONCERTS,here's my list,in no particular order,(years maybe incorrect... due to consumption of various illegal substances):

  JAMES BROWN,1970

  ELVIS PRESLEY,1966 ( Iwas only 10 but I remember it well)

  ZZ TOP: several times in the 70's,(PRE "LEGS" when they were still the greatest blues/rock band around)

  THE WHO:Quadrophenia tour-70s

  LED ZEPPELIN:Houses of the Holy era

  PRINCE : Last night of the Purple Rain tour at the LA Coliseum,an amazing display of true talent at it's peak.I also saw him several times prior to that at small LA clubs circa "Dirty Mind"/Controversy.

  Shows with dates I can't begin to remember,in the 70's which were nonetheless incredible: FRANK ZAPPA,WISHBONE ASH,THE STRAWBS,YES,KISS,ALICE COOPER,T REX,THE ALLMAN BROTHERS,ELTON JOHN,ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY,HUMBLE PIE,DR.JOHN,BB.KING..... there are quite a few more but those come most readily to mind.I'm thankful to have lived through an amazing period of musical history.I fear there will never be one quite as influential again.

  —Mr.Wolf Read Mr.Wolf's other letters
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