Lifetime Concerts: Recollections and Reflections

Have you ever questioned which rock concert was the best in history? I, too, have shared my Personal Opinions on some of the most memorable shows. When it comes to rock concerts, the legends reign supreme, with some of those performances being beyond sublime.

The Ultimate Rock Concerts

For me, the best rock concert ever would be a toss-up between a few incredible performances, including Queen during Live Aid in 1985 and Led Zeppelin's performance as captured on the album How the West Was Won. These exceptional shows were not just about the music but the atmosphere and the energy they exuded.

Queen: Live Aid 1985

The concert I vividly remember attending was Queen at Wembley Stadium during Live Aid. The astonishing enthusiasm and devotion from the audience was electrifying. Despite their belief that their best days were behind them, Freddie Mercury commanded their undivided attention. The crowd could have listened to him sing "Three Blind Mice," and they still would have gone wild.

My Top 5 Concerts

Attended Concerts

Psychedelic Furs - Forever Now Tour - Agora Ballroom in Atlanta with a string quartet performance, truly surreal. Neil Young - Rust Never Sleeps Tour - Madison Square Garden with an inspired acoustic set followed by a powerful performance with Crazy Horse. Genesis, Blondie, and Elvis Costello - JFK Stadium - The energy of 80,000 fans when Genesis opened with Supers Brilliant. REM - Fox Theater, Atlanta - A thrilling set of songs from Murmur followed by a powerful encore with Green. The Clash - London Calling Tour - Tower Theater, Philadelphia, a showcase of unbridled energy.

I Would Attend

Led Zeppelin 1971 tour - Captured on How the West Was Won. Lynyrd Skynyrd - 1977 tour - Featuring the 3-guitar army with Artimus on drums and the Honkettes. The Who - 1971 or 1970 - Tommy or Who’s Next - both tours were incredibly memorable. Allman Brothers Band - 1971 - Performing with another legendary figure, Duane. Genesis - 1975 Lamb Lies Down on Broadway tour - An experience that words can hardly describe.

A Personal Milestone

Saturday, August 16, 1975 was a special day at The Bottom Line in Greenwich Village, New York. Something divine brought me from the sidewalk to the better seats in the house. Watching Bruce Springsteen and his band (then not yet the E Street Band) perform was nothing short of incredible. This show encompassed every sub-genre of rock music and left a lasting impact on me.

The concert not only resonated with me but also coined the beginning of Springsteen's journey to rock legend hood, featuring on the covers of both New York and Time magazines the following month. I still can't believe how powerful and transformative that night was. If you'd like to read more about this experience, I'll post it in the comments below.

Which rock concert do you believe was the best in history? Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments. It's always exciting to read about others' personal experiences!