I think my first concert was to go hear the National Symphony Orchestra play at Wolf Trap Farm Park back in the early 1970's. It was a school field trip and the orchestra was great.
I love seeing Orchestras! Every time I go to the Opera I find that I am watching the Orchestra just as much as I am watching those performing on stage. Last time I went one of the members was fighting the flu, and the intermission went a little longer then it should have because of it. He came back and finished despite being incredibly ill.
One of the redeeming topics of our talk together was him living in San Francisco. I remember telling him I'd love to check it out one day, and he told me that if I do to ever visit San Francisco to do so in the spring time because its the most beautiful time of year there, and less touristy. 8 years after him telling me this, I'm finally flying down there in 2 weeks with my girlfriend for our 3 year anniversary
So thank you Aesop Rock for making my first concert so memorable, and for being such a nice person to a loving fan. I've since seen a lot better shows performance wise - but nothing will ever touch my heart like that moment.
It all makes sense now, and I understand now why you're so excited for San Fran! I wonder if you'll run in to him while you're there. I wonder if he'd remember you.
My first real concert was The Guess Who around 70 or 71. I was on the road, don't remember the city, great show but LOUD. The second one was when we were booked in Honolulu for almost a year and Santana was playing the Crater in Diamond Head. Also a great show but man, even LOUDER. Both times my ears were almost hurting and nobody had to tell me that was not a good thing. I never went to an actual big rock concert again because of that although we were one of the opening acts for ELP and that was certainly loud too.
Loud seems to be a common comment! I suppose your first concert would seem quite loud, as it's unlikely you've heard anything that loud before to compare it. I remember my first concert feeling super loud too.
There were prior concerts for me, I'm sure, but the first I really remember was going to see Doc Severinsen and then going backstage with my parents. I was about 6 yrs old and lit up like a candle. There's a picture of me on Doc's lap somewhere around here. Haven't seen it in a while though. But I remember it clear as day.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
My parents knew many country music singers and musicians so we went to many country music concerts as I was growing up. Many times the acts would visit our house while in town, my parents played many of the same clubs and concert venues so going to a concert wasn't that unusual.
One I remember included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle, Jerry Lee Lewis, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams Junior and Stringbean.
I remember Jerry Lee Lewis because he was really rough on a piano and piano bench.
Stringbean was also notable because of his stage attire. I've included a photo below. He was a remarkable banjo player and comedian. Unfortunately him and his wife were murdered in 1973 during a break-in and robbery at his home.
I seem to recall that Stringbean didn't trust banks so he kept his sizable earnings from Hee Haw in his home. That made him a great target for home invasion and, ultimately, the murder of he and his wife. Very sad indeed.
I saw Hank Snow; Marty Robins; Charle Pride and many other Country stars while in the Army and stationed in Germany. We certainly had top-rated entertainment.
As much as I like Marty, he took clowning a bit too far. While Hank Snow was performing, Marty stood in front of him making silly childish faces. Hank was a very serious performer and nearly came to blows with Marty.
Well.... the first concert ...I hate to refer to it as such..... it was at the NJ State Fair back in the 60's and we had gone to the fair (1967 or 68 most likely) .....and it just happened that a group was playing and we went in to see the show. The group was... The Cowsills. Indian Lake, The rain in the park and other things, and of course.... HAIR. 100% lip synced because these were kids and it sounded just like the record. They are still touring..... but much better than the early days.
So... fast forward a few years..... Now we're talking about actually buying a ticket to go see a band.
The show was in Philly at the Spectrum. BLACK SABBATH. Now that's a show. Ozzy before all the drugs. And their first album was freshly out..... A band called Wild Turkey was the opening act. They were touting having the bass player from Jethro Tull. They never made it in the biz beyond being the opening act on that tour. I have their album. $3 to see the show.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 04/17/1803:01 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
The last concert I went to was Weird Al. What a great show that was!
I've seen Weird Al in concert, also. He puts on a fabulous show; of course it helps that I love parody songs. He really nails it both in the studio and live.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
I've never been a fan of concerts though I've been to a few... but I was fortunate to grow up in Fort Worth & so I had the pleasant opportunity to see a lot of great musicians up close at venues like the Cellar & Panther Hall... great memories.
Right now, the only concerts I go to are symphony orchestras.
I'll go to jazz clubs, or to venues my friends are playing at, but huge arenas just don't thrill me anymore. Been there, done that, usually lousy acoustics, and I've played them, they are more fun on stage that off for me.
But a symphony by one of my favorite composers with a real orchestra is an experience that cannot be duplicated in front of a CD player to me.
Plus I like that most of the audience is there to intently listen, not party down or get wild to the point where it interferes with the nuances of the music.
Plus here in Florida, the great traveling symphony orchestras (Czech Philharmonic, Moscow, etc.) usually play on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday leaving halls open on weekends for more profitable pop shows. I gig on the weekends, so even if someone comes to town that I would really like to see, I'm probably on my own gig.
Right now, the only concerts I go to are symphony orchestras.
I'll go to jazz clubs, or to venues my friends are playing at, but huge arenas just don't thrill me anymore. Been there, done that, usually lousy acoustics, and I've played them, they are more fun on stage that off for me.
But a symphony by one of my favorite composers with a real orchestra is an experience that cannot be duplicated in front of a CD player to me.
Plus I like that most of the audience is there to intently listen, not party down or get wild to the point where it interferes with the nuances of the music.
Plus here in Florida, the great traveling symphony orchestras (Czech Philharmonic, Moscow, etc.) usually play on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday leaving halls open on weekends for more profitable pop shows. I gig on the weekends, so even if someone comes to town that I would really like to see, I'm probably on my own gig.
Notes
Notes, the Florida orchestra did an arrangment of Pan in A minot with the Tampa Bay Steel Orchestra years ago. I want to get the video so I can show it to you. Also if you ever come to Saint Pete, check the Palladium. It's is run by Saint Petersburg College but you get really great local artist and sometimes some well known names. Soince you like jazz, listen to Nate Najar. He playes great and has travled all over the world.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
I'm not the typical musician to listen to music or go to concerts but the first concert I went to was a kids band called Trout fishing in America. I had a ton of their songs on CD back in the 90s and I liked them, granted I was a lot younger. The first real concert I attended was a Weird Al concert. It was fun and there was clear evidence of really nerdy people. Now a days, I mostly gig, listen to local bands and volunteer for a local venue.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
There were prior concerts for me, I'm sure, but the first I really remember was going to see Doc Severinsen and then going backstage with my parents. I was about 6 yrs old and lit up like a candle. There's a picture of me on Doc's lap somewhere around here. Haven't seen it in a while though. But I remember it clear as day.
That sounds like quite the story! I am sure you had fun!
My parents knew many country music singers and musicians so we went to many country music concerts as I was growing up. Many times the acts would visit our house while in town, my parents played many of the same clubs and concert venues so going to a concert wasn't that unusual.
They came to your house? That's insane! I'm a little jealous.
The last concert I went to was Weird Al. What a great show that was! They sounded like exactly like they did on their records.
Weird Al is such a character! He was in a show a couple years back called Galavant as a special guest. It's a netflix show that kind of makes fun of the fantasy genre in the format of a musical. It's really entertaining! But I bet seeing him live would have been super fascinating.
I've never been a fan of concerts though I've been to a few... but I was fortunate to grow up in Fort Worth & so I had the pleasant opportunity to see a lot of great musicians up close at venues like the Cellar & Panther Hall... great memories.
Are you not a big of concerts because they are too noisy, or do you just prefer more intimate venues? I'm a fan of the latter personally.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
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SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
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MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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