Mike Johansen
From Clairemont (Electronics Tech)
It was Wall of Voodoo opening up for Oingo Boingo. This was at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. It was an old opera house at one time. They have these lights that look like tiny stars in the ceiling. It’s like the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Wall of Voodoo started with their cover of “Ring of Fire.” I was only 14 and didn’t even know the original version of that song. They played “Factory,” which sounded great.
Philippe Cesson
From San Diego (President of French-American Chamber of Commerce)
My first concert was U2. That was in Nice, France. It was in the early ’80s. It was a venue called Parc West, and they would bring some big-name bands there in the summer. Pink Floyd played there, Madonna, a lot of artists. When I saw U2, I was 16.
Indriyas McDowell
From Ocean Beach (Artist)
I am almost embarrassed to say. It was Whitney Houston, up in Oakland at the Coliseum. It was on a date. Oh wait…in high school, at our grad night at Disneyland. That was my first. We saw Samantha Fox and New Kids on the Block. I didn’t know much about music. I was focused on my sports and things. And back then, your opinions have a lot to do with what others like. The guys all thought Samantha was hot, so we enjoyed the show.
Ali Spencer
From South Park (Humane Society)
The first concert I went to wasn’t for fun. My mom and her hippie friends dragged me to an Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger concert. That was in Michigan. The first one I went to on my own was Bryan Adams. My friend just got her driver’s license. I wasn’t much of a fan. He’s a Canadian weenie, and we lived half an hour from Canada. Actually, he still is a weenie.
Kristi Sindelar
From Mira Mesa (Waitress)
It was a Santana concert at the Music Theatre in Michigan. I was 12 years old at the time, and my babysitter took me. I’m sure most kids don’t get to go to concerts when they have a babysitter watching them. Our seats were great. At that time, I didn’t know any of the songs.
Sally Hoffman
From Georgia (Hotel Industry)
It was Billy Joel, around 1985, at the Sports Arena in San Diego. Well, it was called that then. And I’m going to see him again next month. I knew most of his songs, since I was 16 and he was popular then. It was on a date with my future husband. Our first dance wasn’t to one of his songs. I’m not sure if we played any Billy Joel at the wedding.
Comments
rickeysays June 30, 2008 @ 1:48 a.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
My first was a free 91x concert, and the opening band was a group called "The Darling Buds". I liked them and bought their CD, but lost it years ago. Anybody remember them? I'd like to get some of their music again.
Russ Lewis June 30, 2008 @ 12:09 p.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
Hey, Rickey, was that at the Sports Arena before or after some basketball game? Too Much Joy was on the bill too, with one other act. That was a fun show. You could find the Darling Buds on CD on half.com for cheap.
sddoug June 30, 2008 @ 12:10 p.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
Mine was Iron Maiden at the meadowlands in NJ in the mid 80's. You could not walk in the parking lot without stepping on broken glass. I believe 9 cars were turned over and lit on fire. I also believe this was the reason no alcohol was allowed in concert parking lots in NJ.
Josh Board July 2, 2008 @ 12:29 a.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
I saw a Doors cover band called "Strange Daze" at SDSU's "Back Door". I was 13. It was awesome. I was too young to realize the singer was a cheese ball. He had this beard, and some goofy swagger, trying to pull off the Jim Morrison vibe. The guitarist went on to join Wild Child, which is a great tribute band (if you like tribute bands).
When I was 14, I talked my friend into driving up to L.A. to see The Guess Who with Steppenwolf. Loved that show. They were coming here, but to the Bacchanal. Under 21 (as Save Ferris sang), so we couldn't get in and had to make the trek up there.
bluenwhitegokart July 23, 2008 @ 9:43 a.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
The early '70s were a blur, but I did see Don Ho in Hawaii. Also saw Marshall Tucker Band/Doobie Brothers in old Balboa Stadium. What else? Anyone remember Organ Power Pizza in PB? That was a solo concert...that thing was just amazing. Can't remember which one came first...I'd have to say Don Ho.
wanderboss Nov. 6, 2008 @ 9:01 a.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
I saw KISS when they decided to wear their make-up again. The Plasmstics opened. I really went to see The Plasmatics, but KISS turned out to be a great show.
MsGrant Nov. 6, 2008 @ 9:08 a.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
I was nine. My mother took me to the New Paltz College campus in New York to see Joe Cocker and Jefferson Airplane. It was outdoors and we sat on the grass and listened. There were a TON of people there. My first concert as a teenager was Aerosmith and Rick Derringer at Madison Square Garden. I was 13.
inactive Nov. 6, 2008 @ 11:58 a.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
June, 1972 when I was 15. I saw Zeppelin not once but twice. First time was at the Sports Arena and then a couple of weeks later I was visiting my cousin in Az. and he got tickets from some radio station. I can still remember the arena being dark and hearing Plant's wail from The Immigrant Song. Saw Zeppelin 4 or 5 more times and still the first 2 were the best. If I remember correctly, the original lineup of the James Gang was the opening act.
nomar66 Jan. 15, 2009 @ 8:48 p.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
@Mike Johansen: That same Wall of Voodoo & Oingo Boingo show was my first concert too. I can still hear the pulsing of the the opener Ring of Fire. I was just back in SB last weekend and stopped into the Arlington for the first time since '83. You'll be pleased to know, everything is as it was... stars and all.
cece5650 May 31, 2009 @ 3:10 p.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
Let me date myself...my first concert was The Turtles at the Civic Center. Several years after that, the really good concerts started. Crosby, Stills, Nash at Balboa Stadium, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, the Who(the tickets were 4.50/5.50/6.50...if any higher, definitely NOT over 10.00!) My son's first concert (that I took him to) was the Scorpions at the Sports Arena.
cece5650 May 31, 2009 @ 3:11 p.m.
What's the first concert you saw?
Ooopss...I forgot Jan and Dean. Saw themm at the zoo when they were filming some kind of film for a tv special. We got free tickets (it was at the Civic Center also) Aaahhh...the good old days!
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