Yesterday Feministing and Matthew Yglesias asked the more general questions “what is the first concert you ever went to?”, which elicited numerous cool and a multitude of embarrassing and amusing answers.
I figured this would be a good question to steal borrow for my blog, but since my blog is about Portland, I’ll ask:
What is the first concert you ever went to in Portland?
I’ll go first.
Back in 1987 I saw Arlo Guthrie perform at the seminal, though now defunct, Pine Street Theatre. The version of Alice’s Restaurant he sang at that show included snarky verses about the Iran Contra scandal.
Throughout high school I saw several shows at the Pine Street, and then later at the legendary X-Ray Cafe (most notably my friend Ryan’s band Hog Wild).
How about you?
(I guess readers who have never been to Portland or have never seen a show in Portland can share their first concert ever.)
Hey Dave — Looks like you mean Arlo Guthrie, not Woody!
My first Portland concert was probably either Liz Phair at the Aladdin or R.E.M & Sonic Youth at Memorial Coliseum — the show that made me never want to go to another arena show.
Lionel Richie with tina turner as opening act, 80’s
Jonny – Thanks – fixed! 😉
Trevor – Quintessential 80s; awesome!
The Crazy 8’s with New kids on the Block as opening act, also in the 80s, on the Waterfront.
My first concert was Tori Amos at the Schnitz in 1994 (I was 13) but my first LOCAL show was that December when I saw Hazel and the Third Sex. It was life-changing…
Anna – I used to have one of the Crazy 8s albums (i.e. a cassette tape) and I *think* I also saw them live at the Waterfront during some festival once . . .
alley – Hazel is one of my favorite bands; I saw them play a few times in college . . . a long time ago (eek, before you were 13)
Testament, Propane, and Green Jello @ The Roseland – What GJ lacked in musically quality they made up in a great performance
Or maybe it was Sonic Youth, what ever drunk girl band, and a wanna be rapper opened for them @ La Luna. It was horrible, both bands were too drunk to play anything… the sad thing is the rapper was the best performance of the night.
Johnny – Arena shows with the arena being completely general admission (Oregon hardly has) are way better. The crowds are more electrified which means the bands feel the energy and put on a better show.
Portland usually sucks when it comes to bands and performances. Don’t get me wrong there is great music here, but when I go to a concert, I also want to be entertained not just listen to what is basically the same thing that is on the cd.
I was deep in the woods of Massachusetts for my first concert. It was 1987, Aerosmith on New Year’s Eve at the Worcester Centrum. Actually, it was more like an armpit than the woods.
Neil Diamond baby
Heart with Stephen Bishop back in late 1977. The Wilson sisters were wonderful. I had a crush on both girls….oh la la
I saw Hazel and Sweaty Nipples at La Luna. I think it was 1993? Or 94? I’m not sure.
Hazel was awesome.
Butthole Surfers at the Pine Street in 1989, my first year in Portland. Went with my much hipper freshman dormies.
Shane – I’ve not heard of any of those bands except Sonic Youth.
Heather – They have woods in Massachusetts?
Kristie – Is he that dude in Saving Silverman?
Cotrane – The Wilson sisters were kinda cute in a 70s kinda way. Stephen Bishop, not so much.
Kiala – I saw the Sweaty Nipples once. They were horrible. They did that stupid band joke where they said “Hello Seattle!” despite being in Portland.
Is Hazel the band that had “dave” (not sure of his name) that would dance up on the stange and do crazy sh*t?
Dave – Testament and Propane are harder metal bands. Green Jello is most known for the ‘3 little pigs’ song and their crazy cartoon/claymation/animation video.
Shane – yeah, Hazel had the “interpretive dancer”; his name was Fred Nemo according to Wikipedia.
Taj – Ah, the good ol’ days at Reed . . . that’s where I saw Hazel a few times.
Kiala – I was at that Hazel show too. That was a great show.
I remember begging my mom to let me go to the Beastie Boys/RunDMC concert back in ’86 (88?) but my first concert in Portland ended up being Public Enemy in ’91 I think. “The Afros” opened up for them. The crowd was mostly white kids.
Steve – I saw Public Enemy play with Anthrax at the Salem Armory in 90 or 91. The crowd there, too, was mostly white kids.
I remember seeing the band Quarterflash playing at local clubs before they made it big…my 1st concert i ever went too(years and years ago) was in Boise ,Idaho at Les Bois park…Molly Hatchet, Cheap Trick ….my 1st big concert in Portland was in mid 90’s when Van Halen(Sammy Hagar version) played at the memorial coliseum…knows the 1st concert i took my sister to(sort of a family “tradition”..was also in Boise, ID …Faith No More and Metallica.
I think the very first was me happening upon Shredded Lettuce at Reed lower commons, but I think the first I bought tickets for was Jethro Tull.
My first concert was Bon Jovi and Skid Row in the Bay Area with my dad. He went to all the concerts with me when I was in high school. People laughed at me going in and always said they would see us at the new concert going out. They were impressed that he enjoyed the music, knew the songs and was down in the pit.
So what is everyone’s best and worst concert?
Best Shows
80’s Motley Crue – Dr. Feelgood tour, nothing like an arena going silent to listen to two Grand piano’s playing Home Sweet Home
90’s Everclear – Saw them opening night of the World of Noise tour under Capital Records at La Luna. I was the promotions director for KBVR, didn’t know who they were and was requested to interview them. I was probably the worst interviewer that they ever had. Art came out all alone with his Les Paul and played American Girl. They played an amazing show. I have seen lots of unknowns, few have made me go out and buy more than one of their albums.
00’s Rob Zombie – Possibly the best concert ever. He knows how to perform and put on a show.
Worst Shows
Sonic Youth – too drunk to play the noise that they make.
Pearl Jam – Yield tour. I have seen videos of these guys and excellent performances. But when they played at the Rose Garden, it sucked. They basically just stood there and played the whole night with a few images being displayed in the background.
KISS – Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter reunited… WAY TOO choreographed.
1995-alice donut &seven year bitch @ la luna back when all I could go to were all ages. Thank the gods for alcohol. The best ever was Gwar with Neurosis opening. My ears are still ringing to this day!
Wednesday the 17th of November, 1999
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy & Blue Hawaiians @ The Crystal Ballroom. That was the first time I felt the sprung floor – lots of fun!
First: Men at Work at the old Paramount Theater (now the Schnitz) in 1982.
Best: Talking Heads at the Civic Auditorium (now Keller) in 1984 or Dire Straits at same Civic in 1985.
Worst: The last Built to Spill show with Camper Van Beethoven at the Crystal. God-awful sound and not enough energy to light one of those environmentally friendly bulbs.
Oh wow…
My first concert was Black Sabbath at the Memorial Coliseum. That was the immediately post-Ozzy line up featuring ex-Rainbow singer Dio as lead singer. Dio of course went on to a brief solo career which produced the seminal heavy metal hit “Holy Diver.”
The Outlaws were the opening band for Black Sabbath. Let me see… that would have been 1980 or 81, I can’t remember which. I was either 16 or 17.
Front242 at the Pine Street (LaLuna by that time?) in ’92. The bummer was that Front242 never showed. 🙁
Depeche Mode in 1993 (or was it 1994?)
Non-native to PDX but saw a goodie.
Souls of Mischeif in 03 at Roseland.
93 til infinity……………
KNRK’s Snowball in about 6th grade:
Bush
Foo Fighters
Filter
Lit
It was awesome.
6th grade! oh I am old. Where did I put that cane.
I am old too. Reading that hurt my hip.
First concert in PDX: KISS at the Memorial Coliseum, 1977. I was ten.
Best: Way too many to say.
Hmm… those years are a little foggy. Suicidal Tendencies in 83 or 84… REM at Starry Night (now Roseland) in 84. I also remember seeing the Wipers at Satyricon around that time too.
Neil Young and Pearl Jam at Portland Meadows
Twisted Sister. Great White opened for them.
*shudder*
Billy Squire and Queen, I think 1983, Memorial Coliseum
My first Portland concert…. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Memorial Coliseum. August 26, 1971. They did the “mudshark” routine.
Well, I’m a bit late to this thread but I had to comment anyway because I am currently trying to remember all of the concerts I have ever attended.
Handily, I was at 4 of the shows folks have listed above and one of them, (Alice Donut & 7 Year) I had forgotten about. Thanks!
Oh and, my first concert was The Talking Heads at the Paramount in 1978,
okay it wasnt my first but most memorable. I saw Van Halen on one day and Queen with Billy Squire the next day at the Memorial Coliseum. Van Halen was always good but Queen blew my mind! Anybody remember these shows? I think it was Sept 1 & 2 1982 or 1983?
OMG I just re-read the posts Don you saw Queen ! They were awesome – and here is the rest of my story..I didnt have a ticket and some stranger gave me a ticket to see them out in front of the Coliseum, so whoever you were THANKS!
Quarterflash was Seafood Mama before they went to LA and got signed. They used to play at Louie’s LaBamba with Nu Shooz.
I’ve been trying to remember a crazy spoken word guy (not Rollins) who opened for Rev Horton Heat and also Butthole Surfers. Saw this act at Pine Street Theater in the late ’80’s. Any clue?
Portland jam 1978 heart, little river band, Bob Welch and Randy Hanson(at that time a Hendrix impersonator.) I was 14 and so high. A great day in the sun with alot of great people. The things I did then that I would never let my boy do now.
I came down to Portland from Olympia, WA in 1999. While visiting I caught a show at Eric’s?(not sure of the name, but I believe the venue is now the Tonic Lounge .) Elf Power and The Minders. It was a real fun show and worth the trip.
Hey Dave!
I have a few questions about your first concert…Cheap Trick/Molly Hatchet at the Boise Fairgrounds racetrack (Le Bois Park.)
I was at this show also, We sat in the grandstands and the stage was built down on the track in front I think. There is a possibility that the other band on the bill was Racer X? If not who? What was the date? Dis you do any other concerts in Idaho during this time period? Styx and Head East?
Email me or post here if ya got time…I am reconstructing the old memory banks.
The very first concert I saw in Portland period was Foghat, Head East and J. Geils at the Memorial Coliseum in 1975.
The very first concert at the Paramount was Ted Nugent in 1976, which still holds the record for the longest period of hearing loss from a concert, 9 hours.
The very first club band I saw was Quarterflash(then called Seafood Mama), but I saw them at the Wreck of the Hesperus I think in 1979 or 80, those nights were kind of hazy, if you know what I mean.
Portland was a great music town during the 70’s and 80’s, lots of great memories. They used to have this rising star concert series in the mid and late 70’s, I saw AC/DC and Thin Lizzy, fantastic show. I remember seeing Molly Hatchet open for Foreigner, Orleans(Why?) open for REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar, Van Halen open for Black Sabbath, Yes (with Rick Wakeman), and more. Great times.
rolling stones at the coliseum 1966. the tradewinds, the mcCoys and a Portland band, the Live Five also played.
Live Five was a Salem band.
First show for me was Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1966. I was in the 5th grade. Birthday present from mom. Pretty cool. Then around 1972 it was James Gang, and another show was Uriah Heep with Savoy Brown and also the Miller Anderson Band.
My first concert was Ike and Tina Turner revue, I was 9yrs old. Exciting!
august 22nd 1965 at the Portland memorial coliseum my best friend Johnny Alford and I got to see the King of Soul aka James Brown….imagine two twelve year old white boys surrounded by an audience predominantly black, however no racial tension since everyone like us was totally mesmerized by his performance, his moves would have made Michael Jackson blush with envy. I will never forget as we were sitting near the stage as the King perspired profusely from his dancing he’d shake the sweat from his hair down on the stage and use it for his amazing footwork. Without a doubt the best artistic performance I’ve ever seen before or since with Jimi Hendrix’s concerts(who I saw 4x) being the second. After the concert we were jumped by a gang of six or seven black teens in the parking lot, I ended up with a cracked sternum but kayoed one guy but kept my wallet, Johnny fared a bit less as we fought our way out and ran they got his wallet and as we jumped a chain link fence he sliced open his calf and needed sixty stitches later at the hospital. But it was worth it as we both had the time of our lives.
It was 1982. I was in high school. The teacher’s children got in trouble at home. so they couldn’t go to Judas Priest. The deal was everyone in class had to write an essay on why they wanted to go to the concert. I won. First concert, First date with a girl. The best time ever in Portland
I can not pin the date. Cheap Trick. PDX. Paramount theater. I was in Junior High. 9th grade. I do not recall how we met but, I had an invitation to see and hear Cheap Trick live. I believe this was 1979-80-ish.
If I recall correctly, the guy’s name was Wayne.
Anyway, I grew up going to concerts.
This was the first without my mum and dad.
I could not hear anything properly for days after.
I came home stinking of sativa.
My name is John I’m from New Jersey I moved to Oregon in 1977 first concert I seen was bad company at the coliseum in Portland Crosby Stills and Nash and I seen Frank Zappa at the Paramount and I seen Led Zeppelin in Seattle Washington at the Kingdom she Musta concerts at the outside jams scene hot many times down with the waterfront Robin Trower at that place in Old Town it was a little concert hall I can’t remember the name of it but a lot of good times there I can’t remember a lot of them but I know I had a lot of good times
92… Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Nice that this thread is still going! My first concert (in Portland or otherwise) was Talking Heads at the Paramount in 1978 (my mother took me).
But I also saw Arlo at the Pine St in 1987/1988 and am curious if you know the actual date of the show. I am going through the laborious task of piecing together a list of all the shows I’ve gone to and many of the dates (such as Arlo) elude me…
Pink Floyd at the Memorial Coliseum 1973
I grew up in Pasco. My parents an I drove up to Spokane for my cousin’s graduation in 1972. Our families scraped together the money so we could fly from Spokane to Portland, not enough time to drive it, I was 15. We had an aunt and uncle in Portland. Our uncle picked us up at the airport and later to the concert which was David Cassidy, Rose Festival. Concert. Kim Carnes and her husband Dave opened for him. We then took the train back to Pasco. The following year it was the Osmond Brothers. It was years later when I saw my first rock concert in Portland.
My first rock concert in Portland was the aforementioned September 1, 1982 Van Halen concert, followed by the September 2, 1982 Queen, Billy Squier concert. Best Labor Day week ever. Tickets were $12.00 for each day.
Living in SE WA until 23 years ago, concerts over those years were split between Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, The Gorge, Yakima, Ellensburg (CWU) and Pullman (WSU) with a small handful in the Tri Cities. I now live in PDX area, but concerts are getting so expensive, don’t see many anymore. It used to be for less than.$100 you could get 2 tix, gas to drive across State, room for 1 or 2 nights and eat. Now $100 won’t even get one person in the door at most concerts.
Very first rock concert was a year or so before my Portland concerts, it was Cheap Trick opening for Heart at WSU in Pullman.
First time my husbster (not married yet) made love at a concert was Portland Jam ‘78, Heart & Little River Band. Rained buckets the following year for Greatful Dead. but we had a small tent for that one. We were married for over 25 years and went to 6-8 concerts every year. Lived on Hood and had 4 kids. He took them to even more concerts than we went to together. Sadly he’s passed. My first concert was The Beatles in 1965 at 7 years old. My dad worked for KWJJ and I grew up with free tickets to any concerts coming to Portland. as he could trade with other radio stations. Thanks you all for bringing back so many great memories.
First (two) shows: Billy Joel, 1982 and 1984 at the Coliseum.
I saw Arlo Guthrie at the Civic Auditorium in 1986 or 1987 (date uncertain); according to http://www.arlo.net/, he played Pine Street in 1988, but no venue listed for either the 86 or 87 shows.
Pat Travers Band / Rainbow – March 1981 at the Portland Memorial Coliseum