Billy Joel:
This is one where I have actually seen him three times. When I was in college up in Boston, I saw an ad in the Boston Globe that he was playing at a bar called Paul’s Mall. I had to see him as my Chatterbox; Trigger nights shot into my mind. Went there with my two New Jersey friends, Anne and Ed and sat to the left of his Piano about 10 feet away. This was a small place, maybe 50 -60 people and he just came back from California and was playing all of his future hits that did not come out yet like Miami 2017, Anthony’s Song, Only the Good Die Young, and others. It was obvious he was going to go big time as he did so in the next year. He was a great story teller and imitated Joe Cocker and Ray Charles perfectly. He drank the whole time between songs and was a true entertainer telling stories and jokes. Saw him twice afterwards, once at MSG for the first concert back after Covid shutdown and the once again at his 75th birthday bash at MSG. Was great all three times with the ones at MSG turning into sing- a- longs by the crowd.
Wings:
This one was at the Boston Garden when I was in school up there and my girlfriend, who loved Paul McCartney from his Beatle days, got us the tickets the day they went on sale. This was a really great concert and the music and singing were just perfect. I did not really follow the Beatles or McCartney prior to this but I really saw perfection this night from him and his band. Live and Let Die, Lady Madonna, Band on the Run, etc. were just fantastic. I became a fan.
Electric Light Orchestra:
Saw the original band at the Boston Garden during my college days once again at the Boston Garden. Was amazed at the depth of the music played by this band and great singing by Jeff Lynne and his crew. I remember they had a violin/fiddle player with a beard who stood out for sure as he was identifying girls in the audience that he would be inviting back stage. Mik Kaminsky was his name and he actually had a blue violin if my memory is correct. Really solid music with catchy tunes. Loved Rockaria! and Roll Over Beethoven.
Peter Frampton:
Another artist I saw twice. The first time was at the Cape Cod Coliseum during his Frampton Live Tour and this guy was great with the crowd and was by far the best guitar player that I had heard until this time. Was so congenial and his use of the voice box, for which he became famous was a totally different sound. The guy was on top of his game with Show Me The Way, Do You Feel Like We Do, Baby I love Your Way and other hits from his Frampton Comes Alive album. Fast forward 36 years and we saw him in Albany and though much older and unable to stand due to his medical condition he sounded and played the guitar like he had when he was in his 20s. The whole band sat as he did and did not miss a beat playing his songs. His guitar playing was still fantastic as he was 36 years prior. Probably the happiest, most engaging and appreciative singer I have ever seen. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recently after this.
Elton John:
First time I saw him was around 1982 or so at the Garden and he was big into costumes and theatrical stuff. Music was classic and very entertaining to say the least. A few years ago, we saw the Million Dollar Piano concert in Las Vegas which was also shown on HBO. He was much more relaxed and engaged the audience more than before. Music was actually better and he was very funny in his engagement with the crowd. I found this was a really good concert, especially knowing he was coming to the end of his career. He really was a legend. Always loved the underrated song, Tiny Dancer.
Paul McCartney Band:
Saw him a few years ago in Syracuse’s Carrier Dome and though it started a little slow he then went all out with great hit after hit. His energy was unbelievable and he played for over 2 ½ hours straight at a high-octane pace. He played all of his and the Beatle’s hits and the last hour or so was unbelievably great. I actually liked this better than the one 45 years prior in Boston as he too engaged the audience a lot and had a video superimposed of John Lennon singing during one his songs (I’ve Got a Feeling) which was a really great effect. Another true legend.
