Who Shouldn't Have Been The Headliner?

SINCASTER · July 8th, 2008, 08:18 PM

We've all attended concerts where the opening band eclipsed the stars.
Any interesting examples to report?
The one I recall is Johnny Winter And up to bat before John Mayall.
It was a great double bill but when Johnny, Rick and Co. left so did half the audience.

Telewilly · July 8th, 2008, 08:35 PM

Did not attend but, didn't Jimi Hendrix open for the Monkees once upon a time?

DavidP · July 8th, 2008, 08:37 PM

Many moons ago now, but I saw the Who (in their full destructive finale mode) open for Herman's Hermits--talk about a tough act to follow...

Paul in Colorado · July 8th, 2008, 09:45 PM

Bi+c#'s Brew era Miles Davis opening for the Grateful Dead at the Fillmore West. Now, I love the Dead as much as anyone, but after Miles we stayed for three songs from The Dead and left.

bendecaster · July 8th, 2008, 09:52 PM

Telewilly, A friend of mine saw that show here in Maine in '68 before he went to Viet Nam. He said the Monkees looked embarrassed following Jimi! Rightly so, they all didn't even really play their instruments at that time(except Mike Nesmith- of course)!

Derek S · July 8th, 2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul in Colorado

Bi+c#'s Brew era Miles Davis opening for the Grateful Dead at the Fillmore West. Now, I love the Dead as much as anyone, but after Miles we stayed for three songs from The Dead and left.

So you saw an 2 hours of the Dead....sometimes that's enough.

ibobunot · July 8th, 2008, 10:11 PM

T-Rex with the Doobie Brothers opening, it was the Doobie's first tour and they were on a mission. Marc Bolan on the other hand was extremely chemically impaired.

(And I don't even like the Doobie Brothers)..

B Valley · July 8th, 2008, 10:43 PM

What did the Dead Head say when he ran
out of weed?
"Man, this band sucks"

Big John · July 9th, 2008, 06:27 AM

In 1975 Little Feat absolutely wiped the floor with the Doobie brothers on a Warners package tour of the UK.

59TweedVibrolux · July 9th, 2008, 07:04 AM

Thin Lizzy opening for Queen '77 U.S. Tour took it as a challenge to blow
away the Headliners.....they did (not every night) but both bands had huge
respect for each other so it was taken in good spirit. Two All time Great
Bands. ( RIP Freddie / Phil ).....ah those were the days

6942 · July 9th, 2008, 07:37 AM

Back in the late 60's................

I saw the ORIGINAL Steve Miller band......way BEFORE he sold out!
Great BLUES band!!
They opened for.................
Grand Funk Railroad.

No contest who was better!!

Steve

Mike Bruce · July 9th, 2008, 08:07 AM

1974, Roy Buchanan opened for Soft Machine and The James Gang. Buchanan was stellar the others were mediocre. It was the concert that changed my whole way of thinking about guitar.

Mike Bruce

castpolymer · July 9th, 2008, 08:47 AM

Metallica opens for Ozzy in 84' or 85'. Metallica was touring for Master of Puppets and Ozzy was at the height of his chemical abuse. McNichols Arena in Denver held about 20,000 folks. Completely full for Metallica and 1/2 full by the middle of Ozzy's set. This is what made me think that maybe this Metallica band might just be around a while. My ears rang for two days ( but in a good way ).

dougpc · July 9th, 2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SINCASTER

We've all attended concerts where the opening band eclipsed the stars.
Any interesting examples to report?
The one I recall is Johnny Winter And up to bat before John Mayall.
It was a great double bill but when Johnny, Rick and Co. left so did half the audience.

I think ZZ Top currently opening for Barnes & Noble or whoever they are country duo is pretty hideous. Elvis Costello opening for The Police is even more unjust.

Big John · July 9th, 2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougpc

I think ZZ Top currently opening for Barnes & Noble or whoever they are country duo is pretty hideous.

ZZTop are opening for someone ? ? ?, it must be the Beatles with Elvis singing back up !!

mojito · July 9th, 2008, 09:48 AM

The Kinks opened for Hall and Oates back in the '70s strange combination indeed.

woodman · July 9th, 2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telewilly

Did not attend but, didn't Jimi Hendrix open for the Monkees once upon a time?

this ill-fated tour played Charlotte, and Hendrix got booed off the stage -- yep, that's right, folks.

in the early '70s, i saw Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen mop the floor with New Riders of the Purple Sage ... i was a New Riders fan and had never heard of Commander Cody, but CC turned the place upside down -- what a show. the New Riders never had a chance, it was almost embarrassing.

squeezebox · July 9th, 2008, 10:01 AM

John Fogerty opening for John Mellencamp....

robt57 · July 9th, 2008, 10:04 AM

Like 100 years ago, I saw Trower Play warm up to Blue Oyster Cult.
The Capitol Theater in Passaic NJ. I walked out after the second BOC song, not that I disliked them that much, but Trower was totally ON, and BOC sounded like a garage band that night.

I also once saw Black Oak ArKANSAS play warm up to I do not even remember who, They where on fire and had all their ducks in a row.

When Your Hot, Your Hot... etc

ibobunot · July 9th, 2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodman

i saw Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen mop the floor with New Riders of the Purple Sage ...

Commander Cody was a killer live band..

mcriff · July 9th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Early seventies, I saw David Bromberg and band open for Don MacLean (solo). Bromberg must have been called back for half a dozen encores -- rightfully so -- and MacLean wound up going on 30-40 minutes late . . . not looking very happy.
You could almost feel the wind going out of the audience enthusiasm for MacLean (then at the height of his fame) . . . three or four interminable songs in, my date and I left, and we weren't alone!

Turtletwang · July 9th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Be-Bop Deluxe opening for Bad Company. Bad Co.should have remained backstage. Also, Journey warming up for the Stones. I'm sorry to say, the Stones sounded horrible.

ehren · July 9th, 2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B Valley

What did the Dead Head say when he ran
out of weed?
"Man, this band sucks"

Your favorite band sucks too, trust me.

tc6969 · July 9th, 2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SINCASTER

We've all attended concerts where the opening band eclipsed the stars.
Any interesting examples to report?
The one I recall is Johnny Winter And up to bat before John Mayall.
It was a great double bill but when Johnny, Rick and Co. left so did half the audience.

I saw Poco do the same thing to poor old John except they took 2/3 of the audience that time!

magicguitar · July 9th, 2008, 12:14 PM

The Tubes opened for Eddie Money. When The Tubes left the stage so did the audience.

Teleglide · July 9th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John

In 1975 Little Feat absolutely wiped the floor with the Doobie brothers on a Warners package tour of the UK.

I saw Little Feat open for Dave Mason in Boston in 1973, shortly after Dixie Chicken came out. They only got to play for 45 minutes, but they totally blew Dave away. I saw them again about six months later, opening for Van Morrison in Albuquerque - same story. Van was having one of his off nights, and seemed to be in a bad mood. Who wouldn't be, following 70's era Little Feat?

I also saw Bonnie Raitt open for Jackson Browne about the same time, and he even said something during his set about being blown off the stage..

July 8th, 2008, 08:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
SINCASTER Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 20 miles outta town and cold irons bound Posts: 444	Who Shouldn't Have Been The Headliner? We've all attended concerts where the opening band eclipsed the stars. Any interesting examples to report? The one I recall is Johnny Winter And up to bat before John Mayall. It was a great double bill but when Johnny, Rick and Co. left so did half the audience.

July 8th, 2008, 08:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
DavidP Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 521	Ponder this one... Many moons ago now, but I saw the Who (in their full destructive finale mode) open for Herman's Hermits--talk about a tough act to follow... __________________ barely in tune and teetering on the brink of oblivion...

July 8th, 2008, 09:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,222 3 Photos	Bi+c#'s Brew era Miles Davis opening for the Grateful Dead at the Fillmore West. Now, I love the Dead as much as anyone, but after Miles we stayed for three songs from The Dead and left. __________________ www.tuatha.net

July 8th, 2008, 09:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
bendecaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: maine Posts: 915	Telewilly, A friend of mine saw that show here in Maine in '68 before he went to Viet Nam. He said the Monkees looked embarrassed following Jimi! Rightly so, they all didn't even really play their instruments at that time(except Mike Nesmith- of course)! __________________ The Demented 7th

July 8th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
B Valley Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 401	What did the Dead Head say when he ran out of weed? "Man, this band sucks" __________________ How many guitars is enough? Just one more...

July 8th, 2008, 08:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Telewilly Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Katmandoo Posts: 152	Did not attend but, didn't Jimi Hendrix open for the Monkees once upon a time?

July 8th, 2008, 10:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
ibobunot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dullsville Posts: 3,456	T-Rex with the Doobie Brothers opening, it was the Doobie's first tour and they were on a mission. Marc Bolan on the other hand was extremely chemically impaired. (And I don't even like the Doobie Brothers)..

July 9th, 2008, 06:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
Big John Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Suffolk UK Posts: 4,388 33 Photos	In 1975 Little Feat absolutely wiped the floor with the Doobie brothers on a Warners package tour of the UK. __________________ If you are going to be a bear, be a grizzly !!

July 9th, 2008, 07:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
59TweedVibrolux Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 278	Thin Lizzy opening for Queen '77 U.S. Tour took it as a challenge to blow away the Headliners.....they did (not every night) but both bands had huge respect for each other so it was taken in good spirit. Two All time Great Bands. ( RIP Freddie / Phil ).....ah those were the days

July 9th, 2008, 07:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,529	Back in the late 60's................ I saw the ORIGINAL Steve Miller band......way BEFORE he sold out! Great BLUES band!! They opened for................. Grand Funk Railroad. No contest who was better!! Steve

July 9th, 2008, 08:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Mike Bruce Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Goderich Posts: 233	1974, Roy Buchanan opened for Soft Machine and The James Gang. Buchanan was stellar the others were mediocre. It was the concert that changed my whole way of thinking about guitar. Mike Bruce

July 9th, 2008, 08:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
castpolymer Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oklahoma Age: 37 Posts: 377	Metallica opens for Ozzy in 84' or 85'. Metallica was touring for Master of Puppets and Ozzy was at the height of his chemical abuse. McNichols Arena in Denver held about 20,000 folks. Completely full for Metallica and 1/2 full by the middle of Ozzy's set. This is what made me think that maybe this Metallica band might just be around a while. My ears rang for two days ( but in a good way ).

July 9th, 2008, 09:48 AM	#16 (permalink)
mojito Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: "Land of Pleasant Living" Maryland Posts: 362	The Kinks opened for Hall and Oates back in the '70s strange combination indeed. __________________ "So many guitars, so little time."

July 9th, 2008, 10:01 AM	#18 (permalink)
squeezebox TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 54	John Fogerty opening for John Mellencamp....

July 9th, 2008, 10:04 AM	#19 (permalink)
robt57 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lost Yankee in Nashville Age: 51 Posts: 3,205 18 Photos	Like 100 years ago, I saw Trower Play warm up to Blue Oyster Cult. The Capitol Theater in Passaic NJ. I walked out after the second BOC song, not that I disliked them that much, but Trower was totally ON, and BOC sounded like a garage band that night. I also once saw Black Oak ArKANSAS play warm up to I do not even remember who, They where on fire and had all their ducks in a row. When Your Hot, Your Hot... etc __________________ Leo's Great, Leo's Good, let us thank him for our... Twang!

July 9th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#21 (permalink)
mcriff TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 37	Early seventies, I saw David Bromberg and band open for Don MacLean (solo). Bromberg must have been called back for half a dozen encores -- rightfully so -- and MacLean wound up going on 30-40 minutes late . . . not looking very happy. You could almost feel the wind going out of the audience enthusiasm for MacLean (then at the height of his fame) . . . three or four interminable songs in, my date and I left, and we weren't alone!

July 9th, 2008, 10:45 AM	#22 (permalink)
Turtletwang Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 154	Be-Bop Deluxe opening for Bad Company. Bad Co.should have remained backstage. Also, Journey warming up for the Stones. I'm sorry to say, the Stones sounded horrible.

July 9th, 2008, 12:14 PM	#25 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 536	The Tubes opened for Eddie Money. When The Tubes left the stage so did the audience.