I’ve seen so many. Stevie Ray Vaughan at the Variety Theater in Cleveland, Oh, USA, in 1984. He was new to the scene, and he played from his heart. It was pure and moved me in a way few other musicians have. I saw him 6 more times before he died.
Motorhead at the same Variety Theater, maybe 1985. It was the loudest show I’ve ever seen. The ceiling fell in chunks, and they had to stop the show before the building broke apart. Absolutely incredible.
Equality Rocks in Washington DC, 2000. Melissa Etheridge, George Michael, The Indigo Girls, k.d. lang, Pet Shop Boys, and more… all in one place. The entire RFK Stadium was silent for Melissa Etheridge’s Scarecrow. It still makes me cry.
Halestorm, Lita Ford, and Dorothy in Raleigh, NC, USA. We went for Halestorm- Lzzy has one of the best voices in rock, ever. I was super psyched to see Lita Ford- I’ve been a fan since her Runaways days and haven’t seen her live. But for me, the showstopper was Dorothy- an unknown who’s song Gun in My Hand echoed in my head until I was able to buy her album months later when it was released. I’ve seen her 4 times since.
Orianthi in November 2023, Detroit, MI, USA. She had incredible talent, and being able to see her in a small club with a few hundred people is an experience I will never forget. She, like SRV, plays from her heart. She rocked that place. I also saw her in Colombis, OH. I can’t wait to see her again. Ori, if you see this, I think that I know you. I had my hands up to show you.
Last was my most recent concert, 12 July 2024. Amanda Marshall and Colin James at The Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario, CA. I heard Amanda and Colin on the 96 FM from London, Ontario, across Lake Erie in 95 or 96. Amanda’s Let It Rain blew me away. Her voice is incredible. Colin’s Voodoo Thing was one of the most fun Texas Blues sings I’ve heard since SRV. I saw Amanda in 1997 or 98 when she was just starting out. She was great. Then she had a fight with Sony Music CA and didn’t record or play for 25 years. I own every album either of them have recorded. All of Amanda’s compilations and everything Colin did from blues to big band. The July show was the first big show since Amanda returned. It was pouring rain as I walked into the amphitheater. I was in the second row, dead center. Colin opened with Voodoo Thing, and it only got better. I was on my feet from the beginning of the set to the end. I sang every word. Colin was everything I hoped he would be. I’m going to see him again this month. Then Amanda took the stage. The emotion was palpable. She opened with Let It Rain and never slowed down. I, a 57 yr old guy, sang every word along with the women on my right and the couple on my left. We were all on our feet dancing and singing the whole show. Amanda’s voice, timing, sense of humor, and musicality have only gotten better. I look forward to seeing her again soon.
I bought a new microwave in 2007 to replace the 1989 model I had since college. It could boil water in under 10 minutes. It had sensor cooking and preset modes. It was life changing.