Hear what you’re saying about opening acts - seen quite a few great openers - Michael Penn opening for Tears for Fears, Michael Penn and Wilco opening for Sheryl Crowe, World Party opening for 10,000 Maniacs. I’m sure I can think of a few more given a little more time.

My listening to rock is a relatively new thing. Mostly started in college and was relegated to new bands, so most of my big faves are bands I can still see or could see if I still wanted to.

My list of wish I could have seen includes the obvious
ones that either broke up or died before I had a chance
to see them: Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Nick Drake,
Doors, Jackie Wilson.

As for the Velvet Underground, when they reunited for
that European tour in 1993, I prayed for Lou Reed and
John Cale to get along long enough to do a US tour; alas,
it was not to be and I have cursed Lou ever since, hehe.

Spence, sometimes the opening bands you see end up
being more memorable than the headliner you went to
see in the first place.

My first Radiohead show was when they opened for
PJ Harvey at the Hollywood Palladium…I saw them
again later that year with Belly.

My first Stevie Wonder gig was opening for the Rolling
Stones in 1972.

Oh, and if you’re wondering where Michael Penn is on
my list, he just missed the top 10…he’s in my next 10,
though…Top 20 all-time is still pretty good in my book.

You’ve seen 47 of my top 50? And honestly - your top 10 is truly amazing. A lot of the artists I would never have had a chance to see - but wow. I’m actually going to try and see Ambulance LTD tomorrow night at the North Star here in Philly.

I wish I could keep track of when and where I saw bands - but I never did, and probably should have. There are bands I know I’ve probably seen, and don’t remember - especially if they were opening acts.

I’m holding out hope for Spoon being really good - I’ve heard good things. In looking at my top 50 - I’ve seen about 26 (including the 3 bands I’m seeing in the next week). All of the acts I really “have to” see, I’ve seen. I’m planning to see REM this year. I think I’d like to see the Doves and Elbow. I’m thinking M. Ward, Andrew Bird, and Sufjan Stevens might be cool to see; but I’ve seen my musts.

Of course there are acts I wish I could have seen, but never did, and never will be able to led by Jeff Buckley - who I could have seen open for Maria McKeee but bailed at the last minute

Here’s my all-time rock/pop Top 10 and with date of my first
time seeing them in concert, followed by total number of shows
seen.

1. Beatles…err, sadly, too young to see them. Did see Paul, George and Ringo as solo artists.
2. Led Zeppelin…June 25, 1972…14 times.
3. Neil Young…March 24, 1973…22 times.
4. Velvet Underground…like Beatles, broke up before I had a chance…seen both Lou Reed and John Cale a few times.
5. Marvin Gaye…1973 or 74(not sure of date)…4 times.
6. Bob Dylan…February 14, 1974(afternoon show)…21 times.
7. Aimee Mann…August 22, 1985…43 times.
8. PJ Harvey…November 25, 1992…11 times.
9. Radiohead…July 13, 1993…15 times.
10. Curtis Mayfield…January 27, 1973…3 times.

Scarlet - yes she is (Janet Weiss) - she is one of the best drummers I’ve ever heard. Very powerful - I’m not in love with the new Stephen Malkmus CD yet; there are some great songs on it, but I think she’s kind of wasted in the Jicks.

You’re doing pretty good I think - Radiohead is amazing in concert. I don’t think there’s a bad concert in the bunch. Wilco probably wouldn’t be for everyone - but I love their shows.