The best live band??

[Bob Singleton]

Worst:

Elvis Costello at the University of East Anglia in 1980. Arrived late and drunk, then spent a further hour or so "getting ready" (ie getting even more drunk backstage) before doing a 20 minute set of country and western songs! Not what the audience were expecting given the contents of My Aim is True, This Year's Model and Armed Forces.

Maybe he doesn't like Norwich as I gather he pissed the audience off a few years ago when he again turned up late and then refused to go on stage until the football on the TV was over!


Best:

The Clash. Saw them three times and they never disappointed.


Honourable Mentions:

Led Zep at Knebworth, August 1979
The Stranglers, UEA early 1980
Cream at RAH, May 2005

[Arginald Valleywater]

Best Queen at Newcastle in 1986, ACDC at Glasgow in 1988, Ozzy at Newcastle 1986, Deep Purpel 1987 NEC......

Worst was Def Leppard at Newcastle 1987, 2 of the crappest guitar players ever to (DIS)grace the stage at the City Hall.

[davewells]

The Rolling Stones
Bruce Springsteen
U2
Aerosmith
Prince

[Ace]

Bob Singleton wrote:

>
>
> Best:
>
> The Clash. Saw them three times and they never disappointed.



Bob knows his stuff !wink!

[zigsuk]

Love Oasis's music. Certainly their early stuff was as good as anything by anybody.
However as a live band I don't think they cut it. They don't move about enough for a start and Liam Gallagher's style - standing with his hands behind his back not touching the microphone - seems to me the antithisis of how a rock star should perform on stage. All the great frontmen used the microphone.
I suppose it could be argued that Liam knew this and deliberately created his own style by not touching the mike. I suppose it IS unique, but I find it boring. Noel doesn't really do much on stage either. It seems he has to concentrate hard to play the guitar. Compare him with Pete Townshend (a fantastic showman) Jimmy Page or Kieth Richards and he's like a bloody statue.

[zigsuk]

While speaking about great guitarists/performers let's not forget the late, immensely great and criminally underated Rory Gallager.
Bought myself a couple of his dvds for Christmas and wasn't expecting that much, but this guy was not only one of THE great performers - and he didn't need any fancy effects - but just about the greatest blues/rock guitarist there's ever been.

[Ace]

Noel isn't a naturally gifted player ala Townshend or Page, his chords are basic open or barre, which is the same as mine. His lead work is above average though
However, he can play and write great songs. I think he'll be the 'next' Paul Weller and have stated here before that Noels best work for Oasis has been kept back for his own solo release whenever that will be.

[The Last Word]

BeestonBoy wrote:

> What a pile of shit!! Never seen a performer who didnt wanna be where he was, doing what he was doing more in my life!!

Not seen Dylan, but this perfectly describes Van Morrison in Chester a few years ago. I sat there thinking "Just collect your cheque and fuck off, Van, eh." Didn't even begin to try.

Also, sadly, Radiohead in Warrington 2000. Didn't project at all, though I understand they're far better at it these days.

Best - Manics, Manchester '94. Holy Bible tour. Absolute chaos from the off.

Also, Bowie, Manchester (again!) 2002 at the cricket gound. Whatever "it" is, he had it in spades. What a fucking blinder.

[Sam Slater]

[quote]They don't move about enough for a start and Liam Gallagher's style - standing with his hands behind his back not touching the microphone - seems to me the antithisis of how a rock star should perform on stage. All the great frontmen used the microphone.[/quote]

I think Oasis had there own style that set them apart from other 'Rock & Roll' bands. Can't imagine Liam strutting around like Jagger to be honest!

I found that because Oasis just played rather than performed, it made the crowd take up that mantle. This is the reason I put them as a good live act. Lack of movement never got noticed -or no one cared- because they got the crowd up for it, which created an unbelievable atmosphere.

[Chrome]

Worst for me was Fields of the Nephalim (remember them anyone?) - Just a stage full of dry ice fog and flashes of white lighting, in the whole hour's gig we just occasionally caught sight of a shadowy cowboy hat and figure at the front of stage with the microphone before the fog closed in.

Best: Clash, Stiff Little Fingers, Damned, Alice Cooper.