OT: Best "Live" Band Ever?

[Rockindeano]

Seeing Paul was a dream come true and it was fantastic....


Yes it was, thank you so very much!

Love the Replacements, but never saw a sober show. I have seen so many different live shows, difficult to say which was best. U2 has always been great, Journey with Perry, Bruce, The Who, The Clash... those are a few of my faves.

Pfft. Next month, Lula is hittin the BA show in Sactown.

[Saint John]

Seeing Paul was a dream come true and it was fantastic....


Yes it was, thank you so very much!

Love the Replacements, but never saw a sober show. I have seen so many different live shows, difficult to say which was best. U2 has always been great, Journey with Perry, Bruce, The Who, The Clash... those are a few of my faves.

Pfft. Next month, Lula is hittin the BA show in Sactown.

Post the tour dates, dude. Seeing that you already have BA's pecker tickling your tonsils you may as well post and tout them.

[STORY_TELLER]

There's so much grey area in this question that's it hard to answer. I think this question really boils down to what an individual finds attractive about a live show. Is it the energy and showmanship in the performance of the songs? Or is it how well they reproduce their studio recordings in a live setting?

If it's the former, bands like Kiss, Queen or any band involving Jeff Scott Soto would win.

If it's the latter, Queensryche is reputed to practically reproduce their studio sound live. So are the Allman Brothers. Anyone who has the Captured album knows how amazing Journey was in that era. Rush simply kicks ass live. Hagar era Van Halen was pretty damn good too.

And what about style of music? Does that play into the question? Very tough to answer.
Best melodic rock live show

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

Seeing Paul was a dream come true and it was fantastic....

but...best ever...for me...and I'm old...was the Ronnie Van Zant led Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will be in Corpus in Feb and panther and I need a date. come pick us up?? it's not THAT far.....

JSSB is best live for me. Soul SirlUS was unbelievable. And I did enjoy STYX quite a bit.

this is besides Journey riight?

[Ehwmatt]

There's so much grey area in this question that's it hard to answer. I think this question really boils down to what an individual finds attractive about a live show. Is it the energy and showmanship in the performance of the songs? Or is it how well they reproduce their studio recordings in a live setting?

If it's the former, bands like Kiss, Queen or any band involving Jeff Scott Soto would win.

If it's the latter, Queensryche is reputed to practically reproduce their studio sound live. So are the Allman Brothers. Anyone who has the Captured album knows how amazing Journey was in that era. Rush simply kicks ass live. Hagar era Van Halen was pretty damn good too.

And what about style of music? Does that play into the question? Very tough to answer.
Best melodic rock live show

For me, the best lies in the realm of what bands blend those aspects best - yeah, Yes reproduced note perfect representations of 20+ mins of Close to the Edge etc and showcased their arrangement skills w/ a Jazz-acoustic Roundabout, but they stood there looking about as animated as the desk this computer sits on. Then of course theres plenty of bands who leave you wondering where the real performers that recorded the album are. But yeah, there's a lot of grey area... I always weigh showmanship against the material being played. I'm not going to penalize Rush for having to focus during parts of YYZ when Queen is jumping around during one of their simpler songs like Fat Bottom Girls.

I guess what it boils down is how much I feel the performers are "feeling" the show. Pretty intangible and subjective for sure, but I always feel like I can tell the guys who are enjoying their job out on that stage. If they love it (and the talent is there), you're gonna get a good show.

[brywool]

Green Day
Paul McCartney
Styx' current incarnation
U2
Cheap Trick

[Pstburp]

Kiss
Pink Floyd
Genesis
Peter Gabriel
Wasp
Alice Cooper
Jethro Tull
Rush
Aerosmith
Rolling Stones
The Who
Scorpions
Iron Maiden
Judas Priest
Van Halen
ZZTop
Ramnstein
Guns&Roses
Metallica
Phil Collins
Ozzy Osbourne
AC/DC
lED zEPPelim
Motorhead
Electric light Orchestra
Queen

Pop=

Blue Man Group
Madonna

[Deb]

There are a group of bands out there which I consider in the "elite" group which ALWAYS deliver (or delivered) live. They are (in no particular order),

1) The Who
2) The Stones
3) Journey (SP era)
4) The Boss
5) The Kinks
6) The Knack
7) The Replacements (when they were sober enough to stand up on stage)
Midnight Oil (see comments below)
9) Queen (w/ Freddie)
10) Hendrix

Re: Midnight Oil...Peter Garrett was such an "electric" persona and performer that he just drew you in. He was weird, granted, but POWERFUL. Alot like Jagger in his prime, or SP even. His amazing, unique, powerful delivery coupled with the INCREDIBLE dual-guitar attack and ROCK-SOLID drumming made The Oils an act that is darn hard to beat live! Plus, they had a very focused, controversial, rebellious, politically-charged, drive that few bands have ever matched.

Simply put, they blew me away each and every time I saw them.

Not sure if you've seen this. Clip of Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett joining JSS on stage for a Boogie Medley. (Melbourne Australia)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FjhaTxp ... re=related

[Deb]

I guess what it boils down is how much I feel the performers are "feeling" the show. Pretty intangible and subjective for sure, but I always feel like I can tell the guys who are enjoying their job out on that stage. If they love it (and the talent is there), you're gonna get a good show.

Same.....exactly how I feel too. I'm a major Bon Jovi fan, but truth be told I enjoyed the JSSB shows I saw last year and the MRfest show, more than the Bon Jovi concert I saw. And it added more to the show (MR) to see all those performers enjoying the hell out of themselves singing with some of their peers, when they all came out for the end numbers. Was an absolute thrill for this fan to see JSS and Eric Martin share the same stage.

[daytrpr]

You guys will kill me for this, but Pearl Jam was awesome live each time I saw them.

Best 5 live acts I've seen were Journey, Pearl Jam, McCartney, Don Henley, and Los Lonely Boys. Honorable mention to Beck, BB King (not rock, I know), and Cracker.

Worst 3 were the Wallflowers (boring and couldn't keep a steady tempo), Sting (annoying voice and self absorbed), and Glass Tiger (Perry even mocked them after they opened the Cowe Palace show in 86).

[Ehwmatt]

You guys will kill me for this, but Pearl Jam was awesome live each time I saw them.

Best 5 live acts I've seen were Journey, Pearl Jam, McCartney, Don Henley, and Los Lonely Boys. Honorable mention to Beck, BB King (not rock, I know), and Cracker.

Worst 3 were the Wallflowers (boring and couldn't keep a steady tempo), Sting (annoying voice and self absorbed), and Glass Tiger (Perry even mocked them after they opened the Cowe Palace show in 86).

I wouldn't kill you for Pearl Jam.. I haven't seen them live but I've seen some of their stuff, performing with Neil Young and such... great stuff. Plus a lot of their studio stuff is pretty good to boot. Grunge gets a bad rap from Nirvana's musical simplicity, but there was some serious talent there... Alice In Chains was great and unbelievable live and Soundgarden had some serious talent (Chris Cornell is a seriously underrated singer).

I haven't seen Sting alone but I'm not surprised, The Police were a snoozefest and probably the most overrated re-union this side of Led Zeppelin playing their songs two steps down. I can see the Wallflowers being boring live... their studio stuff is pretty decent, but some of the 90s "alternative" doesn't translate live. I still maintain that the Counting Crows are one of the worst bands I've seen live and I know a lot of people go crazy over them.

[Red13JoePa]

Dunno.

Best I'VE witnessed was Genesis @ the late, GREAT Vet in spring, '92.

The Stones kicked my f'ing ass at the Vet in the Voodoo Lounge, too.

Of course my favorite as it pertains to crowd energy is Journey in '99 in front of 15 K in Camden, NJ.
Crowd was fired up as the Phila. area/Delaware Valley hadn't seen Journey in a good, what, 13 years (save for the theater gig @ The Tower in fall '98).

[sniper16]

hey rip, dont listen to deeno, he has issues, bruce put me to sleep in 84.
ive seen great white about 12 times , never a bad show.
some who are always good
tesla
cinderella (as long as toms voice is ok)
boston
MR BIG

[Tomulator]

There are a group of bands out there which I consider in the "elite" group which ALWAYS deliver (or delivered) live. They are (in no particular order),

1) The Who
2) The Stones
3) Journey (SP era)
4) The Boss
5) The Kinks
6) The Knack
7) The Replacements (when they were sober enough to stand up on stage)
Midnight Oil (see comments below)
9) Queen (w/ Freddie)
10) Hendrix

Re: Midnight Oil...Peter Garrett was such an "electric" persona and performer that he just drew you in. He was weird, granted, but POWERFUL. Alot like Jagger in his prime, or SP even. His amazing, unique, powerful delivery coupled with the INCREDIBLE dual-guitar attack and ROCK-SOLID drumming made The Oils an act that is darn hard to beat live! Plus, they had a very focused, controversial, rebellious, politically-charged, drive that few bands have ever matched.

Simply put, they blew me away each and every time I saw them.

Not sure if you've seen this. Clip of Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett joining JSS on stage for a Boogie Medley. (Melbourne Australia)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FjhaTxp ... re=related

Cool! Thanks, I'll check it out when I get the chance.

[Deb]

hey rip, dont listen to deeno, he has issues, bruce put me to sleep in 84.
ive seen great white about 12 times , never a bad show.
some who are always good
tesla
cinderella (as long as toms voice is ok)
boston
MR BIG

Wish I'd seen a Mr. Big concert back in the day. After seeing a lot of concert footage on dvd, they kicked butt live. Lots of talent in that band.....and of course EM's voice goes without saying. Tesla is another one I would like to see live.

[belar]

Well, the JSS band set at the MRFest was one of the best acts I've ever seen.

Journey in 1998
Eagles in 1994 (I was VERY surprised at how good this show turned out to be)
Aerosmith in 1987 and 1997

[SF-Dano]

Well off the top of my head and no particular order.

Night Ranger - back in the 80s. No band with more energy on stage back then.
Pink Floyd - not a big fan, but great live shows.
Iron Maiden - back in the 80s and early 90s
Tesla - attitude, diversity, and musicianship
Journey - of course
Deep Purple - Reunion tour (1987?) great stage show, tight, great musicianship.
Black Crowes - great atmosphere (whether you smoke or not, it is in the air)
Steely Dan - the quiet cool

[NealIsGod]

My favorite live shows:

Kix (seen them about a dozen times - local legends)
Steely Dan
Journey with JSS

[piecesofeight]

After thinking about it and only wanting to choose one..I would have to say Def Leppard back in the 80's. You knew they would sound just like the albums..which was amazing considering what they pulled off in the studio. I am on the side of expecting songs in concert to sound just as good as the studio..especially the singing. You have to be able to pull the songs off live to be given and credit from me.

[Deb]

Journey with JSS

Saw a few JSSB shows.....great stuff! But I never got the chance to see him in Journey. Thank gawd for boots!

[lparn]

Journey with Steve Augeri
Poison
Styx with Dennis Deyoung

[finalfight]

Peter Gabriel
Judas Priest (with Halford)
Danzig (one word - BRUTAL)!

[Rockindeano]

Journey with Steve Augeri
Poison
Styx with Dennis Deyoung

You are a fucking retard and yes, I know who you are.

[Rockindeano]

and Glass Tiger (Perry even mocked them after they opened the Cowe Palace show in 86).

Really? I was there. What did Espee say?

[Liam]

Rush - Vapor Trails tour. This is #1. No order for anything else.

Styx - Return To Paradise tour

Journey - Under The Radar tour (only because it was such a nice, intimate setting in Austin @ the Backyard)

MRFest - The whole fuckin' weekend was great but JSSB was the musical highlight. I'm just sorry I couldn't make it to the Houston show the week before.

Volunteers For America - 9/11 benefit show in Dallas on 10/21/01

Dream Theater/Queensryche - I THINK this was '03?!? I don't have my ticket stub anymore and I'm too lazy to check the archives.

And that's all I can think of at the moment.

[Arkansas]

There's so much grey area in this question that's it hard to answer. I think this question really boils down to what an individual finds attractive about a live show. Is it the energy and showmanship in the performance of the songs? Or is it how well they reproduce their studio recordings in a live setting?

If it's the former, bands like Kiss, Queen or any band involving Jeff Scott Soto would win.

If it's the latter, Queensryche is reputed to practically reproduce their studio sound live. So are the Allman Brothers. Anyone who has the Captured album knows how amazing Journey was in that era. Rush simply kicks ass live. Hagar era Van Halen was pretty damn good too.

And what about style of music? Does that play into the question? Very tough to answer.
Best melodic rock live show

Exactly!
Hands down - KISS 1977
ELO, Pink Floyd, SRV, Queensryche, Judas Priest - Turbo, and the last two TSO tours were pretty darned awesome too.
There are way too many over the years...


later~

[Rockindeano]

hey rip, dont listen to deeno, he has issues, bruce put me to sleep in 84.
ive seen great white about 12 times , never a bad show.
some who are always good
tesla
cinderella (as long as toms voice is ok)
boston
MR BIG

Wish I'd seen a Mr. Big concert back in the day. After seeing a lot of concert footage on dvd, they kicked butt live. Lots of talent in that band.....and of course EM's voice goes without saying. Tesla is another one I would like to see live.

Mr Big sucked cock and Tesla swallowed. You have got to be kidding me with these right Debra?

[lights1961]

the best LIVE bands...

THE BOSS 1981 100000% amazing...
PINK FLOYD
KANSAS 1977..
MOODY BLUES... i think last time i saw them 1989???
DAMN YANKEES
JOURNEY 1980/and target center 2001 and 2004 in twin cities
REO 1979/1985
BEACH BOYS
Rightous brothers...

[conversationpc]

Mr Big sucked cock and Tesla swallowed. You have got to be kidding me with these right Debra?

As far as the musicians in Mr. Big go, it doesn't get any better than Paul Gilbert (guitar) and Billy Sheehan (bass). They are at the top of their game on their respective instruments, not to mention that Eric Martin is a helluva singer.

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

After every concert I enjoy, I walk away saying that was the absolute best live show Ive ever seen- and I usually mean it at the time.

And then, over the next week or so common sense returns and I rank the show in its proper place- usually farther down the list of acts Ive seen.

A funny thing happened when I saw Jeff Scott Sotos Band in Dudley England a two months ago. I had my usual reaction, but my usual reaction of " this was the best show Ive ever seen" hasn't faded two months down the line. My head still buzzes when I think of that show.

I always get a similar feeling from seeing Alice Cooper and his band, Aerosmith, Styx and Journey, but nothing as earth shattering as the last JSSB concert.