First gig I ever went to was at Deeside Leisure centre in 1981.
Whitesnake were on their 'Come and Get It' Tour, and support was from Billy Squier (who had just released his 1st album and I'd never heard of at the time, but was impressed by him live and bought his album a few days later)
Whitesnake were incredible...this was at a time when David Coverdale had an AMAZING voice ...plus they were still a great blues rock band and hadn't gone all 'hair rock'.
This thread is also an excuse for me to post the music video that never fails to make me laugh. Let me introduce you to Mr Billy Squier (a few years after I saw him) dancing in a way that you all will after watching it
D'you know I am not really sure who my first gig was. It's a bit strange. The first one that I really, really remember was KISS with Iron Maiden as support in 1980.
But I saw a few minor German bands before that including some weird German punk stuff
Martin Curtis BA (Hons) ELL (Open)
(status accurate from 3 August 2010)
A world without heroes
Is like a world without sun
You can't look up to anyone
Without heroes
I still vividly remember seeing the ad in Kerrang!, pestering my mum to write a cheque and sending a letter with a SAE to Kennedy St Enterprises. I think the tickets were £7.50. Her only provision was that I had to go with my Dad. I remember none of my friends wanted to go.
14th October 1984. I'd just turned 15.
Travelled from Norwich in our battered old Vauxhall Victor. We arrived at about 3PM and I bought a rubbish bootleg T shirt. I didn't realise merch would be for sale inside and regretted my purchase when I saw how superior the shirts inside were. I was in awe of many of the fans - all grown up with big hair, make up and tight jeans looking incredibly cool. I couldn't really compete in my C&A sensible bomber jacket, Wrangler sweat shirt and Kays catalogue jeans.
We were seated on the arena floor and were only 3 rows from the front. I remember being scared when the lights went down and the volume being deafening. I also remember thinking Gene looked odd only to later realise this was due to his new wig. My Dad, who nothing about KISS loved it and caught one of Paul's picks for me.
Iron Maiden - Grimsby Central Hall - April 11 1980 the day before their first album was released. Still remember seeing the green godess parked at the side of the venue looking like one of those vans the police used to take criminals to jail. Great show, Maiden were unstoppable back then.
KISS at Donington 2008 was my first live gig.. unless you count seeing JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet (Gospel group who backed Elvis in the 70s) at a community center in Kentucky.. lol
...plus they were still a great blues rock band and hadn't gone all 'hair rock'.
