Jim's 10 Favorite Concerts
The Who - Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe AZ, Oct 31, 1982
Despite Keith Moon still being dead, this was the musical acme of my high-school years.
Still, Isle of Wight 1970 is the definitive document on this band and live music
in general.
Van Halen - Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, AZ May 11, 1984
An entire generation of Arizonans will testify that this was the rowdiest concert that
they've ever been to. I've never been more blown away by amplitude than the first
chords of Unchained blasting out when the lights went down.
Suicidal Tendencies - Out of Water, Guadalupe AZ, November 1987
Great band, great dive, great show.
Meat Puppets - Sun Club, Tempe AZ, Mar 17, 1989
I'm fortunate that I lived in their home city and have been afforded numerous
opportunities to catch them in intimate settings. It's tough to pick my fave MP show
out of the dozens I've attended, but this one stands out. Maybe it was the green beer.
Sidewinders & River Roses Homeless Benefit - Club Congress, Tucson AZ, Nov 29, 1989
Along with MPs and EPE, these two bands comprise the AZ essentials of the 80s.
El Pollo Elastico - Mudbuggs, Tucson AZ, June 1990
The best band in Arizona never to hit it big. Kind of a James Brown meets April Wine.
U2 - ASU Activity Center, Tempe AZ, April 10, 1992
Of all their shows I've seen, this was my favorite. So far.
Gipsy Kings - Reno Hilton, Reno Nevada, July 1994
An apparent surprise pick given the flavor of the above choices. Though most of their
albums make for good background music, live these guys completely jam. Muchas chicas
to boot.
Page & Plant - AmericaWest Arena, Phoenix AZ, April 95
I went to this with minimal expecations. I figured that it'd be a strung out
guitarist and a shot singer. I was completely wrong. They both performed at
peak level -- the intro to Song Remains the Same was virtuoso.
The Egyptian musicians and the symphonic orchestrations seemed
perfectly natural at a rock concert. The final performance of Kashmir was
out of this world.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - AmericaWest Arena, Phoenix AZ, Oct 15, 1999
No comment necessary.
Last Modified 12/26/02
Back to Favorites Page
Back Main Page