The last gig that we went to should be memorable - in my case Mama Rosin in a cramped and noisy bar in Camden Town on Friday last; it was hot, loud and wonderful and the music was great - but over the years I would guess that we all have memories of a certain show or a festival or an event that is the one that is always there in our minds when we want to remember a special time and put us in a happy place.
The reason for remembering THAT gig is ging to be different for each of us but it is those differences that make it all fun - was it the music or the atmosphere or was it something intangible that makes the memory so special?
How about you all email me or comment me back with the top three gigs that you have been to and what made them so special.
I'll kick it off with these three:
- Van Morrison at the Rainbow - I would guess July 1973 - he had his full Caledonia Soul Orchestra with him and the atmosphere was past electric - he got called back twice, very reluctnatly, for encores
- Fania Allstars at the Lyceum - Stevie Winwood was guesting and I'll never forget seeing Celia Cruz in all her finery. The place was heaving and the temperature was hitting dangerouslyhigh levels but the band was awesome and the dancing was magnificent
- Grateful Dead at Wembley Arena - Halloween 1990. The band were past their best - musically not as good as I'd seen them either at th Rainbow or Alexander Palace - and they had Warren Zevon on piano but Jerry Garcia was steaming, just out of rehab I think, and they encored with 'Werewolves Of London' and the sight of 9000 deadheads all throwing their heads back on the chorus "Awoooooooh Yeah, Werewolves of London!" was electric. The look on the Wembley locals faces as all these freaks came out singing was wonderful.
