This is an attempt to document my live music history. After investing about three hours in this (last night and this morning), it may become an ongoing project with its own “page” here at PDB.
I started this list because I kept getting tagged in that Facebook note “50 Bands/Concerts,” list note thingy.* When I noticed some people were calling it “99 Bands/Concerts,” and extending the original number, I knew it was time for me to jump in and go for the overkill. I’m hesitant to post, because this must be evidence of mental illness, lack of a real life, or having missed my calling as a librarian.
It’s far from complete. And in evidence is just what a lousy concertgoer I am. All the shows I’ve missed. All the bands I wish I’d seen. (There’s another list to work on.) I know there were plenty of nights where I could have been out seeing something memorable and the only thing that kept me from going was a failure to check the listings. Now I’m old and married and have kids and a mortgage—the full catastrophe. I don’t get out much. I know, some of my friends in a similar position still manage to make the scene. I guess I’m just lazy and my feet hurt.
Thanks to my friends whose Facebook lists were invaluable in jogging my middle-aged memory: Lisa, Carl, Walter.
I excluded bands I played in: Twig, Mayfirst, Hex 49, ExVegas, Prosolar Mechanics, The Evolutionaries. Some of these bands I was on bills with, but I’m going to pretend to be less conceited and not name them out of false modesty. But I’m calling myself out here. So maybe I should just go and do it. No, it may make me look even lamer when you see that list. Nothing personal, bands I’ve shared bills with. Shit, this hole is getting really deep.
A great many of these bands I saw multiple times, especially in the 1990s when I was active in bands and on bills or out at a show to support friends at least one night a week, if not three or four. I’ve forgotten more bands off those bills than make up this list. If I saw you and you’re not here, it’s because you weren’t memorable. If you were, then my memory must suck, as you can tell from all the bands I don’t list.
I’m posting this nightmare now so I can go do something worthwhile. I may come back later and work on it some more.
If you like the idea of anally keeping track of this sort of trivia, check out the concert history tool at: http://songkick.com
Also, this is barely in any kind of order. Chronological only by decade. Sort of. I’ll work on it. And you don’t really care, so piss off.
The List
1970s
- Bruce Springsteen – Jadwin Gymnasium, 1 November 1978 tour for Darkness on the Edge of Town. My first real concert, and though I’m not a huge Springsteen fan, this was an amazing show. Still ranks as one of the best concerts I’ve seen. Top 10 for certain. Thanks to my friend Peter for inviting me to to go along for his 14th birthday.
The rest after the jump.
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