I have a couple, but will use this one. I believe it was back in the 70's. Went to a show at Cornell University. Deep Purple was the headliner. There were two other band, one of which was ZZ Top. They were the opening act. That tells you how long ago this was. While ZZ Top was playing, it started to rain. The band finished their song and said that they were going to stop playing till the rain stopped. Something about not wanting to get electrocuted. After about five minutes of silence, the crowd starts getting restless and for whatever reason, rushes the stage. They absolutely trash the stage, pushing pianos, speakers and equipment off the stage, wrecking everything. My girlfriend and I decide that it is probably time to go and make a quick exit. Along the way, we passed a couple of cars that had been set on fire and some very angry fans. Felt lucky to get out of there in one piece. Never did get to see Deep Purple. Probably was a blessing for my hearing though, they liked to play loud.
Best and Worst Rock Concert Moments
I will start this off. 1975 Jethro Tull concert at the Seattle Center Coliseum. About midway through the show an M-80 goes off in the crowd in the middle of a song and Ian Anderson holds his hand up in the air and counts to three with his fingers and the band stops playing in mid measure all at once as though some one had flipped a switch. The whole place goes dead quiet for about 15 seconds or so. Anderson says something like "Well, that was bloody ******* RUDE! If you want us to keep playing then you better cut that crap right out and have a little more respect for your NEIGHbor. Do you really want us to play some more?". The crowd slowly starts to applaud and then it builds to a crescendo. As the applause starts to die down, Anderson holds his hand up in the air, counts out loud to three and the band cuts back in full force absolutely mid-measure where they left off.
When the song ended I have never heard such intense applause in any arena or hall for any song at any show. I was completely dumb struck by how Anderson handled the situation and by the musicianship of the whole outfit. Maybe it was a staged event, but I doubt it. Either way, it was really something else...
When the song ended I have never heard such intense applause in any arena or hall for any song at any show. I was completely dumb struck by how Anderson handled the situation and by the musicianship of the whole outfit. Maybe it was a staged event, but I doubt it. Either way, it was really something else...