Best opening acts

[progdirjim(Admin)]

I've got a lot that I wouldn't actually call "best", but were nice surprises at least.

All time best - Larry Mitchell opening for Eric Johnson - Larry is one of the best guitarists I've EVER heard, and he's become a good friend as well.

other nice surprises - Chris Bliss, a JUGGLER, opening for Asia in 1984 (I think) - this guy did juggling with lighted, mirrored, and other special balls, all synchronized to a cool soundtrack. As someone who can juggle, I was skeptical when this guy walked out on stage (I wouldn't juggle in front of thousands of people!), but I enjoyed it immensely

April Wine opening for Styx in 1977 or 78 - that was the first time I heard of them.
Humble Pie opening for ZZ Top in the 70's.
Ben Folds Five opening for Counting Crows
Iggy Pop and Santana opening for the Stones in 1984

that reminds me something that still amuses me. Twice a year there's a 50 mile bike ride just south of the border called, appropriately enough, the "Rosarito to Ensenada Bike Ride" - there's a big party at the end and typically those of us who ride and other friends spend the night in Ensenada drinking. One time, at the end of the ride, I'm looking for my friends (this was pre-cell phone days), and there's this band playing a Santana song. All of a sudden I stop, and I think "my god, these guys are good. they sound JUST like Santana." Turns out it was Santana - well no wonder...

[Roger -Dot- Lee(Admin)]

A number of years ago, during Rush's Roll The Bones tour, they had an opening group called 'Primus'. I'd never heard of them at the time, but my gut reaction to them then was "Boy, these kids have got potential".

My opinion hasn't changed much.

Roger -Dot– Lee

[Rick and Roll]

Originally posted by progdirjim
I've got a lot that I wouldn't actually call "best", but were nice surprises at least.

Rick: That's the defining moment (pleasant surprise) of an opening act - usually makes you enjoy it forever...

other nice surprises - Chris Bliss, a JUGGLER, opening for Asia in 1984 (I think) - this guy did juggling with lighted, mirrored, and other special balls, all synchronized to a cool soundtrack. As someone who can juggle, I was skeptical when this guy walked out on stage (I wouldn't juggle in front of thousands of people!), but I enjoyed it immensely

Rick: I saw that! I had forgotten - that was cool!


April Wine opening for Styx in 1977 or 78 - that was the first time I heard of them.

Rick: A good forgotten 70's band - my high school days....

Turns out it was Santana - well no wonder...

That's a neat story...

I'll need a little time to share mine, maybe tonight....

[teermin8r]

Off the top of my head, the best opening act of someone I had never heard of before was when I went to see Foreigner on their '4' tour(Jukebox Hero). It sold out two nights in Oklahoma City(a rarity). The back up band was Bryan Adams. The next year Journey came to town and sold out 2 shows(i didn't make that one) and Bryan Adams was the back up band. I figured he must have had the best management in the business to be a new guy and his first 2 tours are with those 2 bands in their heyday.

I also remember seeing Heart for the first time and the back up band was Climax Blues Band. I had never heard of them before and they blew me away.

Another band(these are now popping into my brain) was Starz. They backed up Aerosmith and Rick Derringer and stole the show and became popular in Oklahoma City after that show.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally posted by teermin8r
I also remember seeing Heart for the first time and the back up band was Climax Blues Band.

Their hit was "Couldn't Get It Right".....aaah the 70's

[Roger -Dot- Lee(Admin)]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll


Their hit was "Couldn't Get It Right".....aaah the 70's

may they forever remain Back Then.

I lived through Disco once. I don't want to have to do it again.

[Rick and Roll]

the 70's had IMHO the best music. I was referring to the AM hits from 73-78 (one-hit wonders). That CBB song was not disco, just one in a long line of one hit bands.

I think it's neat that someone actually saw them!

ooohhhhh Jackie Blue! Maybe each day I'll give you one more roger!

[Rick and Roll]

wow, so much to pick from:

Steve Hackett and Steve Howe each doing a separate 15 minute acoustic set was very cool (before their GTR show).

Boud Deun, Cloud Nine (now Ozone Quartet), Bon Lozaga, Happy Rhodes, Candlebox, Matthew Sweet, Michael Penn, Michael Fath, Saga, Procol Harum, Galactic Cowboys, CG Trio, Percy Jones,

oh sorry....

A really neat opener was Richard Barone opening for the Smithereens. Dude had a clean, fun sound with a little Lou Reed thrown in. Very fun!

[Yesspaz]

King's X opening for AC/DC - Hello!

Saw Foreigner open for Journey a few years back. Both bands WAY past their prime, but still quite fun.


But the all-time best I ever saw was Steppenwolf opening for Three Dog Night at Jubilee Jam in Jacktown, MS.

Went to see Wishbone Ash in London a while back and the supports were:

Man - Great Welsh band who Jam beautifully, and
Ten Years After - Their rendition of '50,000 miles beneath my brain' had me dancing.

[MrMagoo]

I'll give a serious nod to Officer Jim with Chris Bliss opening for Asia, but my top pick is Journey on their Next tour opening for ELP on their Works tour.

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by MrMagoo
Journey on their Next tour opening for ELP on their Works tour.

Holy crap! Journey also opened for Kansas on Journey's self-title first album tour, in 1975. They were playing a new song on the tour called I'm Gonna Leave You, the main riff of which mysteriously appeared in Carry On Wayward Son in 1976's Leftoverture...

And I wasn't there, being born in 1979 and all, but Grand Funk Railroad blowing Led Zep off the stage had to be a killer show.

[Rick and Roll]

in the "ripoffs" post, it is identical.

However, Neal Schon ought to thank Kerry Livgren for making it into one of the greatest songs ever written.

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
Neal Schon ought to thank Kerry Livgren for making it into one of the greatest songs ever written.

Kerry Livgren ought to pay Neal Schon for making money off his riff.

[MrMagoo]

Originally posted by Yesspaz


Holy crap! Journey also opened for Kansas on Journey's self-title first album tour, in 1975.

OK, how about Journey opening for Santana & Herbie Hancock at Winterland? <grin> Rolie & Schon did double duty <big grin>