Who did you see open before they were huge?

[JD10367]

Since music threads seem popular, it got me thinking. If there's a thread like this, merge away.

Who did you see as an opener before they were famous or very famous?

I'd have to say Metallica opening for Ozzy Osbourne back in the mid 80s ("Master of Puppets"). They weren't exactly unknown, but they were far from mainstream yet. I also saw Queensryche open for KISS around that time (KISS was on their "Animalize" tour and Queensryche was brand new).

[NewChief]

I saw Dave Matthews Band open for Phish in 1994 in Pelham, AL. I thought they sucked, and even back then their fans were a bunch of idiot frat boys.

[Bob Dole]

Bob Dole saw Steve Bob and Rich (multiple times) before they were the Rainmakers.

Saw Van Halen open for Sabbath in September 1978.

[MTG#10]

I saw Marilyn Manson open for NIN before he was huge. He had a following, but most people didnt know who he was.

[JD10367]

Oh, I forgot, back in the 80s I saw Yngwie Malmsteen open for... oh, wait, never mind, he opened for everyone. (I remember a radio jockey joking that his name was Swedish for "opening act".)

[movinbones]

I saw Stone Temple Pilots open for Megadeath... They blew Megadeath out of the arena!!!

[talastan]

Define huge? Even though they only had a few really big hits I saw POD several years before they broke out on Atlantic Records. Played a concert that was just them at a hole in the wall here in Springfield. They were on their way to St. Louis IIRC.

[blaise]

I also saw Metallica open for Ozzy, it was in Rochester, NY. It was Master of Puppets tour for them. I still remember they had headstones on stage like a graveyard. They were known by the more die hard metal heads back then, but they weren't mainstream. I actually shot a bottle rocket onstage during the show (yes, it was stupid and idiotic and I don't know why I did it. I was young). I snuck it in and shot it from a plastic cup with a top on it. It landed right next to the drummer and blew up, and they didn't miss a beat or even flinch or look at it.

[Great Expectations]

I saw Pomeroy open for Papa Roach in Pittsburg, KS. Circa 2001.

[Duck Dog]

Scorpions and Def Leopard opened for the Nuge at Kemper.

[blaise]

Oh and when I saw Pearl Jam at Lollapalooza they were like the second act on. They got billing behind Soundgarden, Jesus and Mary Chain, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ministry and Ice Cube.

[JD10367]

I also saw Metallica open for Ozzy, it was in Rochester, NY. It was Master of Puppets tour for them. I still remember they had headstones on stage like a graveyard. They were known by the more die hard metal heads back then, but they weren't mainstream.

Yeah, IIRC they had a nice little moshpit going on right at the front of the stage, while the rest of the arena was sort of bewildered at the high-speed thrash and were out getting concessions, LOL. I think I saw them in Springfield MA. (At that time, the venue rotations out here were Springfield MA, Worcester MA, and Providence RI. Bands rarely played the Boston Garden.)

[MOhillbilly]

I seen christ on a crutch. easter sunday sometime early 90s. foo fighters bassist was in the band.

[CoMoChief]

I saw Emerson Drive play at some hole in the wall bar in Minneapolis, MN. Way back before they ever sold an album etc. My buddy worked there as the main bartender, partied with them afterwards.

[siberian khatru]

I saw .38 Special open for Peter Frampton (J. Geils actually was second on the bill) in 1977.

Oh, and since I haven't broken this out in a long time: I was best friends with Ben Folds in 7th grade. So I guess you could say I saw him before he was huge.

[JD10367]

Oh, and since I haven't broken this out in a long time: I was best friends with Ben Folds in 7th grade. So I guess you could say I saw him before he was huge.

Oh, the responses you'll get. LMAO

[siberian khatru]

Oh, the responses you'll get. LMAO

Well, he probably has shrunk a bit in recent years.

Wait, we ARE talking about his stature as a performer, no?

[crazycoffey]

Mr Big opened for Vanhalen, Lita ford opened for the crue,
And Bowling for soup opened for a nobody in a small bar in the dallas area, A girl I knew grew up with one or all of the band members. She was all about how awesome they would be. Guess they're not "huge" still, but did get some playtime nationally with a couple songs.
Posted via Mobile Device

[MTG#10]

I saw .38 Special open for Peter Frampton (J. Geils actually was second on the bill) in 1977.

Oh, and since I haven't broken this out in a long time: I was best friends with Ben Folds in 7th grade. So I guess you could say I saw him before he was huge.
Nice. Ben Folds is one of my guilty pleasures. Im a metal head for the most part but I have a soft spot for the piano.

[SPATCH]

I saw Fall Out Boy on a side stage about 6 or 7 years ago. They really blew up about a year later.

I remember walking away from it after a few songs thinking that a thirteen year-old girl would really enjoy that crap... pretty much nailed that one.

[Al Bundy]

Nine Inch Nails in 91

[MOhillbilly]

Seen The Rev. early 90s open for Social D.

Maybe the greatest battlefield/punk show ive ever attended.

[Sully]

I saw Bill Engvall open for John Michael Montgomery and Reba in 94 or 95. That's all I got.

[BigChiefFan]

Yngwie Malmsteen when he was with Alcatrazz, opened up for Ted Nugent.
The Crue opened for Ozzy.
Metallica played the Cain's ballroom, I believe during their Ride the Lightning days. I remember the shirt said Metal up your ass.
Extreme opened for ZZ Top.
Pride n Glory
Audioslave
No Doubt, I think they opened for Bush, who opened for STP. That recollection is a little blurry.
I'm sure there are countless others, but I can recall them all at the moment.
Back in the day, concerts were my thing. I've seen over 100 bands, easily.

[Frazod]

I saw Great White open for Night Ranger in Hannibal back in '86 or '87, and Melissa Etheridge open for the Eagles on Hell Freezes Over in '95. Can't think of anyone else.

[DaneMcCloud]

In my first year after leaving KC for Los Angeles, I spent three months in the Bay area. I worked at a Guitar Center in Berkeley. All kinds of big time artists would drop in nearly every day. Linda Perry (4 Non-Blonds), Joe Satch, guys from Testament, James, Lars and Kirk from Metallica, peeps for Tony Toni Tone - You name it. Just about anyone associated with Bay Area music. It was a freaking BLAST!

Well, I worked the guitar floor and often jammed when it was slow. There was a kid who came in almost every day to hang out that was recording a record for Warner Brothers (yeah right!). No one in the store actually believed him because he was such a little dork but I was always polite. He'd watch me play and when I'd offer him a guitar of his choice, he'd say "I'll never be able to play like that! I'm not touching it!". As it turned out, he was a cool guy and I set up (Guitar Tech'd) several of the store's guitars for him to play on the record.

Things didn't go as planned for me in NoCal (long, long story) so I decided to move back to Hollywood. His band was playing Berkeley Square and invited me and my roomy to come down. He brought me up onstage to say goodbye, and told the crowd I was leaving Berkeley for L.A. to join Stryper (which got a laugh. And no, it wasn't true). That was the last time I saw him and the guys.

You can only imagine my surprise when they went on to sell 8 million copies of their debut record, "Dookie".

[Bugeater]

Motley Crue opening up for Ozzy in '85, they blew Ozzy out of the water.

[The Franchise]

In my first year after leaving KC for Los Angeles, I spent three months in the Bay area. I worked at a Guitar Center in Berkeley. All kinds of big time artists would drop in nearly every day. Linda Perry (4 Non-Blonds), Joe Satch, guys from Testament, James, Lars and Kirk from Metallica, peeps for Tony Toni Tone - You name it. Just about anyone associated with Bay Area music. It was a freaking BLAST!

Well, I worked the guitar floor and often jammed when it was slow. There was a kid who came in almost every day to hang out that was recording a record for Warner Brothers (yeah right!). No one in the store actually believed him because he was such a little dork but I was always polite. He'd watch me play and when I'd offer him a guitar of his choice, he'd say "I'll never be able to play like that! I'm not touching it!". As it turned out, he was a cool guy and I set up (Guitar Tech'd) several of the store's guitars for him to play on the record.

Things didn't go as planned for me in NoCal (long, long story) so I decided to move back to Hollywood. His band was playing Berkeley Square and invited me and my roomy to come down. He brought me up onstage to say goodbye, and told the crowd I was leaving Berkeley for L.A. to join Stryper (which got a laugh. And no, it wasn't true). That was the last time I saw him and the guys.

You can only imagine my surprise when they went on to sell 8 million copies of their debut record, "Dookie".

That's fucking sweet dude.

[The Franchise]

I went to a concert back in 97 where the headliner was Megadeth. They had two opening acts with them and I'd never heard of them before....Sevendust and Monster Magnet.

Monster Magnet was meh. The lead singer kept humping the microphone stand the entire time and they really weren't that great.

Sevendust on the other hand put on a better show than Megadeth. I got to meet their lead singer after the show (Lajon Witherspoon) and he was a fucking awesome dude. He was laid back and really cool.

Needless to say....I've bought every one of their CDs that they've put out.

[MikeMaslowski]

madvayne and 30 seconds to mars..... not sure if they were ever condsidered "huge"

[BigChiefFan]

In my first year after leaving KC for Los Angeles, I spent three months in the Bay area. I worked at a Guitar Center in Berkeley. All kinds of big time artists would drop in nearly every day. Linda Perry (4 Non-Blonds), Joe Satch, guys from Testament, James, Lars and Kirk from Metallica, peeps for Tony Toni Tone - You name it. Just about anyone associated with Bay Area music. It was a freaking BLAST!

Well, I worked the guitar floor and often jammed when it was slow. There was a kid who came in almost every day to hang out that was recording a record for Warner Brothers (yeah right!). No one in the store actually believed him because he was such a little dork but I was always polite. He'd watch me play and when I'd offer him a guitar of his choice, he'd say "I'll never be able to play like that! I'm not touching it!". As it turned out, he was a cool guy and I set up (Guitar Tech'd) several of the store's guitars for him to play on the record.

Things didn't go as planned for me in NoCal (long, long story) so I decided to move back to Hollywood. His band was playing Berkeley Square and invited me and my roomy to come down. He brought me up onstage to say goodbye, and told the crowd I was leaving Berkeley for L.A. to join Stryper (which got a laugh. And no, it wasn't true). That was the last time I saw him and the guys.

You can only imagine my surprise when they went on to sell 8 million copies of their debut record, "Dookie".

Green Day. Pretty cool story.

[JD10367]

In my first year after leaving KC for Los Angeles, I spent three months in the Bay area. I worked at a Guitar Center in Berkeley. All kinds of big time artists would drop in nearly every day. Linda Perry (4 Non-Blonds), Joe Satch, guys from Testament, James, Lars and Kirk from Metallica, peeps for Tony Toni Tone - You name it. Just about anyone associated with Bay Area music. It was a freaking BLAST!

Well, I worked the guitar floor and often jammed when it was slow. There was a kid who came in almost every day to hang out that was recording a record for Warner Brothers (yeah right!). No one in the store actually believed him because he was such a little dork but I was always polite. He'd watch me play and when I'd offer him a guitar of his choice, he'd say "I'll never be able to play like that! I'm not touching it!". As it turned out, he was a cool guy and I set up (Guitar Tech'd) several of the store's guitars for him to play on the record.

Things didn't go as planned for me in NoCal (long, long story) so I decided to move back to Hollywood. His band was playing Berkeley Square and invited me and my roomy to come down. He brought me up onstage to say goodbye, and told the crowd I was leaving Berkeley for L.A. to join Stryper (which got a laugh. And no, it wasn't true). That was the last time I saw him and the guys.

You can only imagine my surprise when they went on to sell 8 million copies of their debut record, "Dookie".

You just HAD to upstage the guy who did a film with Matt Damon, huh. :shake:






:D

[MOhillbilly]

greenday killed punk rock. i hate them.

[bogey]

I saw Steve Martin open for Helen Reddy. I remember his performance, I don't remember hers.

[DaneMcCloud]

greenday killed punk rock. i hate them.

I've never been a "fan".

I fully respect Billy Joe's songwriting and their appeal but it's not my cup of tea. I'm glad to see they're still going strong and appreciate their passion.

But they've never been more than a pop-rock band IMO.

[KCrockaholic]

madvayne and 30 seconds to mars..... not sure if they were ever condsidered "huge"

I think you mean "Mudvayne" :D

[MikeMaslowski]

I think you mean "Mudvayne" :D

I did, i'm in the streaming porn thread so typing one handed is killing me! ;)

[blaise]

I saw Kirstie Alley on Cheers.

[Sully]

I saw Kirstie Alley on Cheers.

Winnah!!!

[KCrockaholic]

I did, i'm in the streaming porn thread so typing one handed is killing me! ;)

Don't poke your eye out.

[Fish]

I saw Pomeroy open for Papa Roach in Pittsburg, KS. Circa 2001.

I lived on the same block as the guys from Pomeroy in Manhattan when I was going to school there. Back in 98 or 99. My buddy lived in their apartment building, so we hung out with them on occasion. They always jammed out with the door open. We got pot from the same guy. Allegedly....

[Buzzsaw]

Saw Sublime in Long Beach a few times way before they were popular. Maybe 1991, 1992?

[DMAC]

I saw Soundgarden open for ...Skid Row, I believe.

[gblowfish]

REM with about 50 other people.
Elvis Costello with about 100 other people.
I had the band "X" in my car in Columbia, MO. Picked them up from a Chinese Restaurant to go to a radio inteview.

[The Franchise]

My sister in law got to see Papa Roach before they were huge. They're from the town that I live in now and she went to high school with Jacoby Phoenix. Apparently they claim San Francisco though....bunch of douchebags.

[QuikSsurfer]

hmmm before they got big? Cool thread.
Bush
Muse
evanescence
finger eleven
the black keys

[ChiTown]

Bob Dole saw Steve Bob and Rich (multiple times) before they were the Rainmakers.

Saw Van Halen open for Sabbath in September 1978.

I loved the Rainmakers (aka, Steve Bob and Rich)! I saw them in Manhattan several times.

[QuikSsurfer]

Papa roach got huge??

[Duck Dog]

Motley Crue opening up for Ozzy in '85, they blew Ozzy out of the water.

I saw that show in KC. I agree with your assessment.

[The Franchise]

Papa roach got huge??

Among 16-18 year olds......yes.

[Chiefnj2]

NIN at Lollapalooza one - only album was Pretty Little Hate Machine. They were great.

Maiden warm up for Priest. Queensryche open up for Maiden many times. Motley Crue and Metallica warm up for Ozzy. Black Crowes (Shake Your Money Maker) open for Aerosmith. Faith Hill for Tim McGraw.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

I grew up in Seattle during the early 90's during the whole grunge era. I saw all of those guys before they got famous. I was pretty young too. Luckily, I had some cousins who was wrapped up in that scene and knew just how huge it was going to be. They were hell bent on me experiencing it despite an overprotective mother. God bless those guys. Very cool experiences for a youngster.

[Consistent1]

I've never been a "fan".

I fully respect Billy Joe's songwriting and their appeal but it's not my cup of tea. I'm glad to see they're still going strong and appreciate their passion.

But they've never been more than a pop-rock band IMO.

This statement makes your story even better IMO. Honest opinion despite the knowing somebody fairly well that got huge. It's not like he is going to give a shit now anyway. Interesting story for sure.

I would have to say Nine Inch Nails myself. Remember going to that first Lollapalooza show and myself and friends being pretty blown away. I don't really think much of NIN now, but listened to them for several years before thinking Reznor's act was getting kind of tired. Pretty Hate Machine was a damn cool record.

[Consistent1]

NIN at Lollapalooza one - only album was Pretty Little Hate Machine. They were great.

Maiden warm up for Priest. Queensryche open up for Maiden many times. Motley Crue and Metallica warm up for Ozzy. Black Crowes (Shake Your Money Maker) open for Aerosmith. Faith Hill for Tim McGraw.

A couple of cool ones there. The funny thing with me is that I never really got into listening to Maiden in HS because I thought all the covers and t-shirts were teh ghey. I listen to them quite a bit now.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

In my first year after leaving KC for Los Angeles, I spent three months in the Bay area. I worked at a Guitar Center in Berkeley. All kinds of big time artists would drop in nearly every day. Linda Perry (4 Non-Blonds), Joe Satch, guys from Testament, James, Lars and Kirk from Metallica, peeps for Tony Toni Tone - You name it. Just about anyone associated with Bay Area music. It was a freaking BLAST!

Well, I worked the guitar floor and often jammed when it was slow. There was a kid who came in almost every day to hang out that was recording a record for Warner Brothers (yeah right!). No one in the store actually believed him because he was such a little dork but I was always polite. He'd watch me play and when I'd offer him a guitar of his choice, he'd say "I'll never be able to play like that! I'm not touching it!". As it turned out, he was a cool guy and I set up (Guitar Tech'd) several of the store's guitars for him to play on the record.

Things didn't go as planned for me in NoCal (long, long story) so I decided to move back to Hollywood. His band was playing Berkeley Square and invited me and my roomy to come down. He brought me up onstage to say goodbye, and told the crowd I was leaving Berkeley for L.A. to join Stryper (which got a laugh. And no, it wasn't true). That was the last time I saw him and the guys.

You can only imagine my surprise when they went on to sell 8 million copies of their debut record, "Dookie".

I've never been a "fan".

I fully respect Billy Joe's songwriting and their appeal but it's not my cup of tea. I'm glad to see they're still going strong and appreciate their passion.

But they've never been more than a pop-rock band IMO.

That is an awesome story! And I agree with you whole heartedly, they're a pop rock band. They may have been embraced by the wannabe grunge kids in the 90's, and that's transitioned to a lot of success for them. I'm happy for them. They're an awesome 3 chord band. But it's still pop rock. Period.

[Fat Elvis]

I loved the Rainmakers (aka, Steve Bob and Rich)! I saw them in Manhattan several times.

At Brothers, right?

[CosmicPal]

I saw Pearl Jam perform at the first Day on the Hill show in Lawrence. Their debut album was just released at the time.

The Who perform at Shawnee Mission South in 1967.

The Who at SMS
http://members.cox.net/jritland1/Who/who.html

[ChiTown]

At Brothers, right?

Hell yeah! I used to love that place - they brought some fantastic bands through that place..

[rockymtnchief]

I had tickets and backstage passes to Brooks and Dunn after they'd just released their first album. They were playing in Lewistown Mt. for their fair. The opening act was a hot blonde in a short skirt and tall black boots...and she could belt out some songs. Anyway, went backstage to meet B&D and ended up talking to the hot blonde since everyone was schmoozing B&D. She was gorgeous, funny, and very nice. Faith Hill.

[NewChief]

In my first year after leaving KC for Los Angeles, I spent three months in the Bay area. I worked at a Guitar Center in Berkeley. All kinds of big time artists would drop in nearly every day. Linda Perry (4 Non-Blonds), Joe Satch, guys from Testament, James, Lars and Kirk from Metallica, peeps for Tony Toni Tone - You name it. Just about anyone associated with Bay Area music. It was a freaking BLAST!

Well, I worked the guitar floor and often jammed when it was slow. There was a kid who came in almost every day to hang out that was recording a record for Warner Brothers (yeah right!). No one in the store actually believed him because he was such a little dork but I was always polite. He'd watch me play and when I'd offer him a guitar of his choice, he'd say "I'll never be able to play like that! I'm not touching it!". As it turned out, he was a cool guy and I set up (Guitar Tech'd) several of the store's guitars for him to play on the record.

Things didn't go as planned for me in NoCal (long, long story) so I decided to move back to Hollywood. His band was playing Berkeley Square and invited me and my roomy to come down. He brought me up onstage to say goodbye, and told the crowd I was leaving Berkeley for L.A. to join Stryper (which got a laugh. And no, it wasn't true). That was the last time I saw him and the guys.

You can only imagine my surprise when they went on to sell 8 million copies of their debut record, "Dookie".

An old school Little Rock punkster is their touring guitarist (Jason White), and has been since 1999. He was in a lot of bands that I used to see all the time around here.

[Whoarethechefs]

Back in 79 or 80 I got to see Quiet Riot at a disco club in Albuquerque called Grand Central Station.

The memorable part about it was that Randy Rhodes was their guitarist at the time, and he was fantastic that da,y and I remember he played an early version of the song "Dee" that would later be released on Blizzard.

[angelo]

I worked at the Shadow and Hurricane from 1988-1993 in Westport.

I saw
Smashing Pumpkins open for Pearl Jam who opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

NIN open for Ministry.

My sister dated Jello Biafra, so I spent a summer as a roadie for the Dead Kennedy's.

That whole period of time is pretty much a blur (way to much alcohol and drugs), but those are the ones that stand out.

Ang

[The Poz]

I saw Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam open for the Chili Peppers at a place that holds about 500, must have been very early 90's.

[The Poz]

I saw
Smashing Pumpkins open for Pearl Jam who opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.



Beat me to it.

[gblowfish]

Garth Brooks played a show at the Englewood Theater in Independence back in the 1980s, when it was called KC Opry. I didn't go, but know a guy who worked there. Had about 100 people in the audience. He blew up about two years later.

[The Poz]

hmmm before they got big? Cool thread.
Bush
Muse
evanescence
finger eleven
the black keys

Are Finger Eleven actually big? Especially in the States? I'm from the same area as these guys, I knew them growing up and I now work with the lead guitarist wife.

[Bugeater]

I saw that show in KC. I agree with your assessment.
I think a lot had to do with Ozzy completely sucking, that tour must have been at the height of his drug use. Crue came out with a ton of energy, a great light show and some pyrotechnics, and that was followed up by an hour and a half of Ozzy basically drooling into the microphone.

[Fat Elvis]

Hell yeah! I used to love that place - they brought some fantastic bands through that place..

The Flaming Lips used to play at the bar next door all the time; I can't remember the name right now--it was kind of upstairs. About eight people would show up for those shows back then.

[angelo]

I saw Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam open for the Chili Peppers at a place that holds about 500, must have been very early 90's.

We may have been at the same show. was it in Omaha.

Ang

[The Poz]

We may have been at the same show. was it in Omaha.

Ang

Toronto - great show except for the pumpkins. The crowd got pissed that they kept playing "soft" songs so everyone boo'd them. Pumpkins walked off stage with their guitars right up against their amps - FEEDBACK!

[siberian khatru]

The Who perform at Shawnee Mission South in 1967.

The Who at SMS
http://members.cox.net/jritland1/Who/who.html

Wow, that's ... that's just incredible.

Also, re: Steve, Bob and Rich -- saw them pre-Rainmakers at the Blue Note in Columbia, Mo.

[PunkinDrublic]

Saw Flogging Molly open up for the bouncing souls 8 years ago. Saw DropKick Murphys at Canes in San Diego before they became the band of choice for douchebags who wear red sox caps and pretend to be Irish.
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[DaneMcCloud]

Wow, that's ... that's just incredible.

Also, re: Steve, Bob and Rich -- saw them pre-Rainmakers at the Blue Note in Columbia, Mo.

They used to play out all the time, everywhere. Personally, I was never a fan but with that being said, I was shocked they didn't have more success than they did (which was very limited) because they were very much a "college" band.

IIRC, their biggest fan base was in Scandinavia.

[The Franchise]

They used to play out all the time, everywhere. Personally, I was never a fan but with that being said, I was shocked they didn't have more success than they did (which was very limited) because they were very much a "college" band.

IIRC, their biggest fan base was in Scandinavia.

You know because of Green Day....I've always felt bad for The Offspring. They came out at around the same time and Green Day became more popular.

[DeepPurple]

I saw Bon Jovi open for the Scorpions 'Love at First Sting' tour 1984. At the time their debut album had just come out and "She's a Little Runaway" was getting some airplay. Bon Jovi had the big hair and seemed like a pretty boy, so everyone in Savannah was booing and yelling for the Scorps.

I also saw Yngwie Malmsteen, it was Alcatrazz opening for Ted Nugent 1983.

Saw Bryan Adams open for Foreigner 1982.

Saw Steppenwolf open for Deep Purple 1972.

Saw REM in Savannah 1984, Michael Stipe still had long hair and they played songs like "Toys in the Attic".

Saw the Allman Bros in a club in St. Petersburg, FL 1969 before they had released any albums,

Weirdest combination I ever saw was the Fixx open for the Moody Blues.

[MOhillbilly]

IDK how i could forget this one. I seen Dropkick above the outland ballroom in 96/97 with about 10 other people. Back when they were still wearin boots & braces and there old ladies were skinheads.

[Phobia]

My ex-wife. She was definitely an attention getter in the 90's. Then she started opening for everybody.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

My ex-wife. She was definitely an attention getter in the 90's. Then she started opening for everybody.

LMAO I'm going to post this on your facebook page.

Edit: Nevermind. I just read "ex". Well, that's less fun.

[Bi_polar]

I saw Stone Temple Pilots open for Megadeath... They blew Megadeath out of the arena!!!

Megadeath is FUCKING terrible, though, in all fairness.

[The Poz]

Saw Korn open for Monster Magnet.
White Zombie open for Pantera.
White Zombie open for the Ramones - weird.
Twisted Sister open for Iron Maiden - even more weird.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Probably biggest for me was Kenny Wayne Shepherd in the mid 90s open for Van Halen.

[MOhillbilly]

Saw Korn open for Monster Magnet.
White Zombie open for Pantera.
White Zombie open for the Ramones - weird.
Twisted Sister open for Iron Maiden - even more weird.

i remember i used to get RIP magazine and white zombie had ads where they would send you a free tape. I heard em on MMMMMMetal Shop and they sucked hard.

[Inspector]

I saw Queen open for Mott the Hoople. Had never heard of them before then and after that tour they were huge. They stole the show.

I saw Steve Martin perform in a music room down at the college in Columbia. He was a pretty much unknown. He shook every hand in the audience when he got done.

And if having a great video out on VH1, a great single being played on the radio and appearing on a hit TV show makes you huge, then yeah, I saw Vedera's very first concert - and pretty much all KC shows since (plus a bunch on the road...)

[QuikSsurfer]

Are Finger Eleven actually big? Especially in the States? I'm from the same area as these guys, I knew them growing up and I now work with the lead guitarist wife.

I'd say they got big with the album after The Greyest of Blue Skies... I only enjoyed their first two: Tip, TGOBS.
I met James Black back in 99. Super cool guy. All of the guys were really cool.

[Duck Dog]

Saw Korn open for Monster Magnet.
White Zombie open for Pantera.
White Zombie open for the Ramones - weird.
Twisted Sister open for Iron Maiden - even more weird.

I saw the Twisted Sister/Iron Maiden Show. TS got boo'd off the stage at Kemper.

[Brock]

I saw Bon Jovi open for the Scorpions 'Love at First Sting' tour 1984. At the time their debut album had just come out and "She's a Little Runaway" was getting some airplay. Bon Jovi had the big hair and seemed like a pretty boy, so everyone in Savannah was booing and yelling for the Scorps.

I think I saw that show too. Wasn't Judas Priest on the bill too?

[Bowser]

Puddle of Mudd used to play at Fred P. Ott's up on Barry Road in the Northland Fridays and Saturdays (it's 54th Street now). Of course, it was Wes and his original bandmates/buds, not the lineup today.

[Spott]

I remember a few that stick out. I saw Soundgarden in 1990 opening for Danzig and again in 1992 when they opened for Skid Row. I actually left before Skid Row played because I hated all the big hair bands. I saw Alice In Chains open for Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer back in 91 or 92. I also got to see Pearl Jam play a free outside concert in Lawrence back in the Spring of 1992.

[DeepPurple]

I saw Queen open for Mott the Hoople. Had never heard of them before then and after that tour they were huge. They stole the show...

1973 and I was living in St. Petersburg, FL and I actually had heard of Queen, they were playing the song "Liar" from their first album quite a bit on the radio. Some local promoter booked Queen to play at Sunshine Speedway, it was an outdoor race track. Apparently the promoter didn't check with the band because when Queen showed up with their equipment it was too much weight for the stage to support and the fire marshall wouldn't let them perform. I got the news on the radio as I was heading out to the show.

[DeepPurple]

I think I saw that show too. Wasn't Judas Priest on the bill too?

No, just the two bands. Savannah is small, the civic center only holds 8,000. Probably the Jacksonville and Atlanta shows had Priest if that was the case. However, after thinking about that, Priest would of been big, that's about the time that Screaming for Vegeance would of been out.

[Brock]

No, just the two bands. Savannah is small, the civic center only holds 8,000. Probably the Jacksonville and Atlanta shows had Priest if that was the case. However, after thinking about that, Priest would of been big, that's about the time that Screaming for Vegeance would of been out.

I know I saw Bon Jovi open for somebody when Runaway came out, but I couldn't remember who. I think it was the Scorpions, but I could have sworn there was another band in there. It was probably just the mushrooms.

[ChiefsCountry]

Kenny Chesney at the Missouri State Fair opened up for Alabama. This was 1995 or 1996.
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[bevischief]

Terry Clark, Alan Jackson, Gary Allen, Big & Rich, to name a few. And a few other that where just signed.

[el borracho]

Your mom.

[Over-Head]

Jeff Healey
The Head Pins
Honeymoon Suite
Brian Adams
Ann Murry
April Wine
Head Stones
Lee Arron
Platinum Blond
Matt Mingelwood
The Rankin Family

[KC Jones]

I worked at the Shadow and Hurricane from 1988-1993 in Westport.

I saw
Smashing Pumpkins open for Pearl Jam who opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

NIN open for Ministry.

My sister dated Jello Biafra, so I spent a summer as a roadie for the Dead Kennedy's.

That whole period of time is pretty much a blur (way to much alcohol and drugs), but those are the ones that stand out.

Ang

We might have known each other. I was running around midtown in that same time frame. Had plenty of friends working in various bars. I worked at TomFooleries, Venue, Veco's, and Cafe Allegro in that time frame.

I saw that same RHCP, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins show. It was great and I was sore for days afterwards from the mosh pit.

I also saw Jane's Addiction play at Lone Star '88. Their demo had just released under XXX records and they were still pretty unknown.

Not that they ever got that big, but I saw Rusted Root a couple of times around '89-'90 when I was in Pittsburgh (the real one not the town in Kansas).

[Frazod]

Your mom.

Awesome! LMAO

[CosmicPal]

We might have known each other. I was running around midtown in that same time frame. Had plenty of friends working in various bars. I worked at TomFooleries, Venue, Veco's, and Cafe Allegro in that time frame.
.

I was thinking the same thing when I read Angelo's reply. I was a regular at The Hurricane. Tommy, the curly-haired bartender, who looked like Greg Brady, always treated me well. The entire staff did. I think my name is on the wall there.

I have tons of memories at The Hurricane. What the hell was the name of that funky band that played every Friday and Saturday during happy hours? They were a blast.

I stopped by TF's quite a bit too.

[bango]

Puddle of Mudd used to play at Fred P. Ott's up on Barry Road in the Northland Fridays and Saturdays (it's 54th Street now). Of course, it was Wes and his original bandmates/buds, not the lineup today.

I saw them too at Rockfest 1995 in KC.

[RJ]

I saw a number of bands before they were known back in the late 70's/early 80's. I saw shows fairly often in smaller clubs like The Marble Bar in Baltimore and The Bayou and 9:30 Club in DC. Bands like REM, Simple Minds, Flock of Seagulls and Squeeze to name a few. Almost saw The Police at The Bayou right after Roxanne hit the radio but apparently Sting had the flu. Still pissed about that.

Those were fun times. The genre of music was really new and exciting and different. And it was pretty easy to get laid.

[KC Jones]

I was thinking the same thing when I read Angelo's reply. I was a regular at The Hurricane. Tommy, the curly-haired bartender, who looked like Greg Brady, always treated me well. The entire staff did. I think my name is on the wall there.

I have tons of memories at The Hurricane. What the hell was the name of that funky band that played every Friday and Saturday during happy hours? They were a blast.

I stopped by TF's quite a bit too.

Crap... I remember the band, but the name escapes me. ... and who was that smoking hot female bartender? Angie? Angel? Can't remember now, but she usually wore a black choker and had long dark hair.

Anyone else go see Sonny Kenner play at the Levee on Monday or Tuesday nights? It was always a fun show and picking up the girls from the Art Institute was never dull :D

[CosmicPal]

Crap... I remember the band, but the name escapes me. ... and who was that smoking hot female bartender? Angie? Angel? Can't remember now, but she usually wore a black choker and had long dark hair.

Oh, I know who you're talking about too. I think you got it right, I think her name was Angie.

I do remember the name of the song they used to play all the time, the song that got everyone groovin', it was "Camel Toe"


Anyone else go see Sonny Kenner play at the Levee on Monday or Tuesday nights? It was always a fun show and picking up the girls from the Art Institute was never dull :D

Another favorite bar I used to hang out at. Saw quite a few shows there. Like the Hurricane, I seem to have spent most of my time out on the patios. :D

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Who did you see open before they were huge?


Your mom

[RJ]

I saw .38 Special open for Peter Frampton (J. Geils actually was second on the bill) in 1977.

Oh, and since I haven't broken this out in a long time: I was best friends with Ben Folds in 7th grade. So I guess you could say I saw him before he was huge.


I remember seeing J. Geils back then, I believe it was with Frampton.

And the Ben Folds thing is always worth re-telling.

[RJ]

I saw Queen open for Mott the Hoople. Had never heard of them before then and after that tour they were huge. They stole the show.

I saw Steve Martin perform in a music room down at the college in Columbia. He was a pretty much unknown. He shook every hand in the audience when he got done.

And if having a great video out on VH1, a great single being played on the radio and appearing on a hit TV show makes you huge, then yeah, I saw Vedera's very first concert - and pretty much all KC shows since (plus a bunch on the road...)



Queen opening for Mott the Hoople, huh? Color me jealous, you bastard.

[Easy 6]

Metallica did a show at the Decatur Il civic center, very early on into their first headlining run behind 'Master of Puppets', with Armored Saint opening, no seating, no stage barrier, awesome.

Cliff Burton handed me his beer after a break, good times.

[RJ]

I saw Robert Palmer at a club in Baltimore the name of which I can't remember in about 1977 or 78. We sat at a long folding table directly in front of the stage and ordered pitchers of beer throughout the show. He wasn't real well known then, it was around the time "Sneaking Sally Through the Alley" had come out. There was a horn section and backup singers and everyone was dressed in black and the guys all wore ties.....noteworthy for a kid raised on 60's and 70's rock.

To this day, those may have been the best concert seats I've ever had.

[Mr. Kotter]

KISS...1974? Maybe 1975?

Opened for The Who at the civic center in Wichita, KS while I was spending the summer with my grandparents and counsins.

My ears still bleed whenever I crank Dr. Love, Rock 'n Roll All Night, or Lick It Up.....

:rockon:

[Duck Dog]

I know I saw Bon Jovi open for somebody when Runaway came out, but I couldn't remember who. I think it was the Scorpions, but I could have sworn there was another band in there. It was probably just the mushrooms.

You're right.

[Consistent1]

Metallica did a show at the Decatur Il civic center, very early on into their first headlining run behind 'Master of Puppets', with Armored Saint opening, no seating, no stage barrier, awesome.

Cliff Burton handed me his beer after a break, good times.

I lived in that area and vaguely remember that show happening. Wish I had went.

[Slainte]

I saw Robert Palmer at a club in Baltimore the name of which I can't remember in about 1977 or 78.

Palmer was one of the hardest drinking rock star son of a bitches ever. He'd go into a restaurant, literally with a chick on each arm cliche and order 4 martinis. All for him. Needless to say, he consumed no food...

[Saccopoo]

Pearl Jam at On The Hill '91. They said on stage that they never saw a crowd like that.

That night (the night after the performance at KU), they tried to wreck the Holiday Inn (the one right off the used to be first exit off the Highway) and a buddy of my roommate, who was the night manager at the time, kicked them out, and it was pouring down rain, and the band slept under their van in the parking lot. At least they tried to sleep.

Other than that, I caught 311 at the Hurricane in Westport in '92 before they went nuts. Soundgarden played at the Bottleneck in Lawrence during their "Loud Love" tour the same year. In '92 a couple of weak ass opening bands for the Rollins Band played in Lawrence - guys named Helmet and TOOL that I kinda saw.

[Raiderhater58]

Saw Metallica open for W.A.S.P. @ The Uptown(with Cliff on Bass) and again opening for Ozzy.
Crue w/Ozzy
White Zombie @ The Outhouse in Lawrence
Ratt w/ Billy Squier
Queensryche w/ KISS

to name a few
Ive seen a ton of acts on all levels, music is life Rock On! :)

[Tylerthigpen!1!]

metro station :shrug:

[Stewie]

I was dragged to Roy Clark's theater in Branson by my parents back in the 80s. The Judds were the opening act. I had no idea who they were (as did most people at the time), but the daughter singer was beautiful... I did get that out of the show. Too bad she turned into a prima donna cow later in life.

[PRIEST]

W.a.s.p opening Quiet Riot 1983

Poision opening for Ratt 1985

Queensrych opening foe Ozzy 1985


Damn im old:doh!:

[MichaelH]

I saw Pearl Jam at Lalapalooza as one of the opening acts back in 1991 I believe. They were probably big on the West coast but were almost unheard of in Pennsylvania at that time. I saw Blues Traveler before they became big and started to suck in Philadelphia in around 1990. The were really good as I remember.

[Chiefless]

I saw Queensrych touring on their EP opening for Twisted Sister touring on You Can't Stop Rock & Roll. Awesome show. Circa 1983.

[MahiMike]

I remember when Queen opened for Billy Squire. I didn't even know Queen that well and was there to see Billy. Freddy Mercury stole the show and blew me away.

[Kerberos]

Oh, I forgot, back in the 80s I saw Yngwie Malmsteen open for... oh, wait, never mind, he opened for everyone. (I remember a radio jockey joking that his name was Swedish for "opening act".)

It was 84 or 85 when I saw Yngwie open for ACDC at Kemper Arena and I had a hard time getting into any of the music that was played.

BUT... I do remember thinking ...GAWDAMN this guy is way better than the band he is with. FAST FAST FAST hands on the guitar and the rest of the band couldn't keep up.

Then I later read what a FUGGIN ARSEHOLE he was and no one wanted to play in his band except nobody's that couldn't keep up.

Dane... what do you know about rumors back in the day that people said Yngwie would walk into a room/bar/open area and if there were guitar players there that he considered LESS than him talent wise he would turn around a leave?




Oh yea and I saw Billy Joel play at Ahearn Field House at KSTATE back in the late 70's "52nd Street" Tour. Don't remember who opened if anyone? I was in Jr High and IIRC my mom dropped me and a friend off and then picked us up when it was done. LOL

[Kerberos]

I also seem to remember when I was 19 I agreed to help a buddy out by taking him, his girlfriend and all her teeny bopper friends to see BonJovi at Kemper and Cinderella opened for him. I much more enjoyed them than Jon. Although I got to hear Sambora play a solo that was above average back then. Almost borderline impressive.

[RJ]

Have Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire been mentioned?

[MOhillbilly]

Anyone see AC/DC w/ Bon Scott?
details.

[KCUnited]

I saw Queens of the Stone Age in '98 with about 30 other people. I've seen a gang of shit that never got huge though.

[Megbert]

Saw Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins open for RHCP in 91 at Memorial Hall. At the Drive In (now The Mars Volta and Sparta) open for Jimmy Eat World. Helmet open for FNM.

[Halfcan]

I have seen too many bands to list. Some of the biggies I saw on their first tour. Scorpions, def Leapard, Metallica, Bon Jovi, the list goes on and on. I have been going to concerts since 1980 and have seen probqably 200 shows.

[Rausch]

Who did you see open before they were huge?


Kelly McNevin...

[Tits McGee]

I saw NIN around 1990 at Monty Montezuma Hall at SDSU.
I was odd watching them play basically in a cafeteria type venue with these low ceilings and flat tile flooring.
My date never returned my calls after that, I wonder why..........
On a side note, she kept calling them "Four Inch Nails." Ughhhh.

[Duck Dog]

I saw NIN around 1990 at Monty Montezuma Hall at SDSU.
I was odd watching them play basically in a cafeteria type venue with these low ceilings and flat tile flooring.
My date never returned my calls after that, I wonder why..........
On a side note, she kept calling them "Four Inch Nails." Ughhhh.

You should have fucked her like an animal.

[Nzoner]

Saw Van Halen open for Sabbath in September 1978.

I was at that show as well.

Others I saw before they were huge

INXS
John Cougar
Eddie Money

[Tits McGee]

You should have ****ed her like an animal.

She went screaming back to her old boyfriend and got married. I have that affect on women.

[The Poz]

I saw Queens of the Stone Age in '98 with about 30 other people. I've seen a gang of shit that never got huge though.

I saw Kyuss in the mid 90's.:rockon: