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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...
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Showing 1 response by rzemkoski

rzemkoski
80 posts
 
My first worst experience was also at a Jethro Tull concert around '78 in Miami. I went primarily to see UK as I've seen JT several times before. Between acts the crowd acted like unruly children throwing frisbees, balls and toilet paper at each other. A fellow appeared onstage and warned the worthless that Ian Anderson was hit by a flying object at the last venue and would stop the night's performance if such things occurred again. As soon as JT manned the stage, a barrage of junk hit the stage. It's a wonder they didn't pack up and leave.

Two years ago, I saw the Moody Blues at a local venue and seated behind me was a group of aged land apes singing along to Justin Hayward's beautiful voice. Well, this ain't no party; I paid to hear the Moodies not some white trash drunks. In the middle of a serene flute solo, the whole house was hushed, as quiet a rock concert ever got. A guttural "YEAH" was shouted from the middle of the mezzanine, ruining the peaceful setting.

Audients and their assholian ways can make or break a concert for me. Bad seats or sound can be tolerated. And I thank Christ for my stereo.
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