Go See (Insert Aging Performer Here) Before It's Too Late

[Hamerhack]

I made the pilgrimage to see Les Paul (he played at Fat Tuesdays at that time).

Figure I should see Chuck Berry one of these days.

Who do you consider a must-see performer before they head to The Great Gig In The Sky?

[Sam]

Wish I'd seen Page and Plant during the Walking into Clarksdale era. Perhaps it's too late now.

[cmatthes]

BB King is getting up there too. He has a pretty heavy tour schedule, so your odds of catching him are pretty decent.

I got to see Les Paul with Chet Atkins 15 or so years ago for a small theatre tour. That was nothing short of awe-inspiring, and happened right when hair (MTV/pop/fluff) metal was dying and grunge was gaining a foothold. It was interesting (to me at least) that these two guys had been playing "their" music for well over 50 years each at that point and hadn't really been impacted by changing fads and styles so much.

[veatch]

Saw BB last year. Still want to catch Buddy Guy. Is Johnny Winter still gigging?

[cmatthes]

Saw BB last year. Still want to catch Buddy Guy. Is Johnny Winter still gigging?

Yes - Johnny W. and Buddy still have pretty hectic gig schedules, so you may catch something this summer.

[santellavision]

I saw BB King last year. Terrible. (Not his playing which is limited) But, he talked for more than half the show! Sharon looked at me and said, "Is this a concert or Oprah"?

[Sam]

I saw BB King last year. Terrible. (Not his playing which is limited) But, he talked for more than half the show! Sharon looked at me and said, "Is this a concert or Oprah"?

[Caddie]

I saw BB King last year. Terrible. (Not his playing which is limited) But, he talked for more than half the show! Sharon looked at me and said, "Is this a concert or Oprah"?

+1

I know, I know he's 80 something, diabetic, etc.

But BB himself was on the stage for about 40min. He talked thru most of the lyrics, and did a few signature BB King licks.

Tickets are expensive BB, give us a show! Maybe bring someone else along with you who has some energy. Maybe bring out Robert Cray or Bonnie Raitt or Lucinda Williams or Johnny Lang. Muddy Waters did it toward the end. He toured as the opening act for Eric Clapton. Johnny Winter was Muddy's guitar player. Clapton would come out and play 4 or 5 songs with Muddy & Johnny.

Might be something to look into BB. Imagine, BB King opening act for say ZZ Top. Billy Gibbons comes out to play and sing a few BB king songs at the end of BB King's set along with BB's band.

With unmistakable voices and sounds, it could make for some magical moments .

caddie

[lonote049]

Having seen both several times, Buddy and Johnny can be hit or miss. When they're on, they're on but when they're off it can be ugly.

[bobbymack]

I just saw Buddy Guy last week, and he was really good. Great shape for a 75 year old man...lots of energy, good playing, good show. Very entertaining 90 minute show.

[Steve Haynie]

Earl Scruggs (85) still plays a few shows. Doc Watson (86) is another getting up in age, but still playing a little.

[Feynman]

Definitely go see SRV. My friend in high school invited me to an SRV concert, but I passed. A couple of years later he was gone. Shit.

ZZ Top still seems to put on a good show.

After my recent birthday gift, I'm going to add Leonard Cohen to the list.

[BadgerDave]

Alice Cooper!

One of the best shows I've seen in years.

[JohnnyB]

I just saw Buddy Guy last week, and he was really good. Great shape for a 75 year old man...lots of energy, good playing, good show. Very entertaining 90 minute show.

He has a new album I just picked up as well, with several guest collaborators (e.g., Eric Clapton).

[JohnnyB]

I saw James Cotton a few years ago. He can't sing anymore (hell, you can barely understand him when he talks), but he's an engaging performer and still a monster harp player. His band was very talented with a good vocalist and they put on a really good show.

Two that I kick myself over: I lived in Silicon Valley in the '80s, and every year, a cowboy-themed nightclub called the Saddlerack hosted Ray Charles for a 2- or 3-night engagement. I always caught the newspaper ad when they were already sold out and told myself I'd "catch him next year," which I never did. I also had the chance to see Gatemouth Brown at Seattle's Bumbershoot festival in 2004, but passed on it for the expense, the crowds, and the hassle. A year later he died from the stress of evacuating New Orleans to escape Katrina.

I did, however, get to see Cab Calloway at Bumbershoot in Sept. 1993 (d. Nov. 1994) and cellist/conductor Mstislav Rostropovich in April, 2006 (d. April 2007). They were both great concerts.

[guitarzandstuff]

Caught Les Paul last year...

WOW!

[velorush]

I caught BB King in 1985 at the Dyersburg Community College. He was still standing during performance back then and the concert was great, however, the concert AFTER the concert was the best concert I've ever been to. What I mean by that is that, after everything was done and people were shuffling out, he came back out on stage with Lucille and began to talk to all us young guitar players. Here we stood, not ten feet from him and he began to talk and play and talk some more. He must have spent 45 minutes with us. We were in shock.

Best one I ever missed was Mel Torme in an outdoor concert in Chicago. I happened to be up for the blues festival and the Velvet Fog was performing in a separate, unrelated venue. I still kick myself.

[Steve Haynie]

Best one I ever missed was Mel Torme in an outdoor concert in Chicago. I happened to be up for the blues festival and the Velvet Fog was performing in a separate, unrelated venue. I still kick myself.

I saw Mel Torme in the mid 90's when he was in his late 60's. His voice was great-- no problems from age. I knew someone from the orchestra that backed him up. Torme's ego was well noticed by those musicians.

[Nichodemus]

Top of my list:

Jethro Tull (did that last year, damn they were good)

AC/DC (doing that next month)

Chuck Berry (not much chance here in denmark)

[MN Hobbyist]

Leonard Cohen is on his first US tour in 15 years. I am privileged to have caught the Minneapolis show last week. A living legend! He has a top-notch backing band, too. He is 74 years old, so who knows if he'll tour again?

[Stike]

AC/DC

Tom Jones

[Joe G]

I saw Johnny Winter with Edgar a month or so ago - great show! I had never seen them together before.

I have been fortunate to see Tom Jones several times over the years and a friend was his keyboardist for a couple of those years, so we got to meet him and hang for awhile at the hotel bar after the show. The women are still chasing him.

A couple of years ago I saw BB King with Al Green opening up. Rev. Al has to be the best showman I have ever seen. Agreed, BB can talk and maybe he even talks more now, but following for Al Green was tough and he handled it well.

Buddy Guy is one performer I really want to see. I know Robin Trower is not really up there in age, but I definitely want to see him, too.

[bubs_42]

I just saw Buddy Guy last week, and he was really good. Great shape for a 75 year old man...lots of energy, good playing, good show. Very entertaining 90 minute show.

He has a new album I just picked up as well, with several guest collaborators (e.g., Eric Clapton).

Caught Buddy last summer and man was he on!! It was a fantastic show.

[cordroad]

Saw Buddy three weeks ago in a beautiful old theater. Wow, he was incredible. Very much a showman. I was a bit surprised that he used the f bomb so liberally but I guess that's show biz these days. Near the end of the show he left the stage and began walking up the aisle main floor. We were front center balcony so we lost sight of him. Next thing we know he walks through the door to our left playing his strat. It was cool. He hung around for 10 minutes or so and just jammed. Then, at the end of the show he came back on stage and started throwing pics to the audience. Next thing you know, people are coming forward with shirts and other goodies for his autograph. He obliged them all while the band played on. He must have stayed for another 15 minutes. What energy for a 72 year old man.

My wife didn't know much about his work but really enjoyed the music. She's kinda partial to blues and jazz, which helps.

BTW, his band was exceptional. Keyboard player was like a young Leon Russell with more attitude. The drummer was rock solid as was the bass player. His rhythm guitarist was talented enough to go out on his own.

Buddy made it a point to say at the beginning that he doesn't rehearse a show. Whatever he feels like playing the band picks up on and rolls.

[Special J]

Go see Willie Nelson! I've been a fan since I was a little kid, but didn't get around to seeing him until last year. He puts on a great show! I plan on going to see him with Dylan and Mellencamp. I'd just as soon skip the rest of the show though.

+1 for Jethro Tull too. Ian Anderson is still a great performer.