Bands You've Seen In Concert The Most?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:01AM The other day, our very own Christian asked me which band I've seen the most times in concert. I said "Um, let me think" and then I realized I honestly have no idea how many times I've seen each particular band live.
This surprised Christian. See, he's seen Iron Maiden live nine times and he said "Surely, there must be a band you've seen live at least nine times." And there probably is...especially festival bands like Slaughter and Skid Row. Still, it's hard for me to keep track. I don't keep ticket stubs or anything - or really a master list. I have a rough list buried somewhere on this site but it doesn't list the number of times I've seen each band. That said, there are a few I do know...
I've seen Aerosmith three times. Those concerts are ingrained in my memory. I've seen Kix six times (at least) and maybe they are the band I've seen live the most times. There's Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Poison, too course...all coming in at five times live (at least, each)...but no one like Christian's ever-growing Iron Maiden track record.
Which band have you seen the most times live in concert?
Reader Comments (33)
The winner for me would most likely be Metallica, with approx. 20+ shows (from 1987-2001, missed them in 2003). Back in the day, they had the best live show, and played a full 2+ hours every night. None of this "we'll play for 90 minutes and tell rock journalists that we play a 2-hr show every night" nonsense...
A close 2nd would be Sevendust, the best rock band of the last 10-15 years. Love their music, and the live show is always powerful and intense. Counting festival bills, including Ozzfest '98 and Woodstock '99, I have seen them around 20 times. There will be more added to this number.
Third place is a little more difficult, but off the top of my head it would have to be Poison. Saw them 4 times 'back in the day', and nearly every reunion/summer tour since '99. I would put the number at approx. 13, plus a few of Bret's solo shows. Even though they can be a tad derivative live (same 15 songs, in order, every time!), I'm sure I'll catch them again this summer. Say what you want about Poison, but their live shows are always FUN. A lot of bands could pick up on this in their live shows.
After that, the list gets more difficult, but due to the resurgence in all things glam the past several years, I have caught up with many bands that either I never got to see live, or haven't seen since the 1980's:
Ozzy: 6 Ozzfests, including 2 where the original Black Sabbath played. Sabbath was awesome.
Ratt: 5x
Dokken: 5x
Night Ranger: 5x
Jackyl: 4x
LA Guns: 3x
Queensryche: 3x, plus 4x in the past.
Non-metal shows: Elton John and Billy Joel, 5x each (4 times they were playing together). Two absolutely incredible showmen, who know how to put together kick-ass bands and musicians when they tour.
Who have I missed? After more than 150 bands/solo acts live, I keep missing Judas Priest - and it's starting to annoy me. Must see them soon!
You couldn't pay me to see 'em once.
Still, I know there are lots of characterz on this site who love 'em. I witnessed it, myself, on Shiprocked! While they were jumpin' up and down in the audience, I thought about jumpin' over the side of the ship, I thought they were so UNROCK! Sorry, folks!
Yet, that exception aside, I DO generally agree with your comments, Gator, and I mean your comments other than the scope of this particular topic. Thanks!
Other than that bit of criticism, I do appreciate your analysis and enthusiasm for all things glam.
But as I said, I just don't get it.
That duzn't mean you all shouldn't.
And let's not forget, we DO agree on most of the old school style stuff, old and new.
So, I agree!
Let Metal Bygones be Metal Bygones!
o,s, You should have seen Al and Kari lookin' at me like I was crazy when I facitiously asked them, "What kind of music is this?" as we were watchin' or rather while they were heads down and Metal horns up pogoing to Sevendust on Shiprocked!
At least people do appreciate the fact that they put on a hell of a live show! A buddy of mine from high school saw them at Rocklahoma last year. Suffice to say that he is not a fan of them at all, and primarily loves ONLY the glam metal stuff from back in the day. But even he said their show was intense and impressive. So bottom line is, he's still not a fan, but he did respect the Sevendust live show.
Rock on, all.
Gator! You gonna be at any of the shows and fests we been talkin' 'bout on here?
If we can get tix and make it happen, I will let you know. We definitely need to set up a 'BBG meet-and-greet'!