By Mark Pukalo
The lights came on and the show was over. After a few seconds, large speakers in the auditorium began to play John's Lennon's classic "Just like starting over" while fans bounced out of the building, some arm and arm, into the night.
A great live show doesn't always need a tune like that to help you leave with a jump to your step. It can stay with you for a long time, sometimes forever. They can remind you of an easier, less stressful time in your life.
For someone who has loved music so much, I've been somewhat deprived when it comes to concert attendance. I didn't go see the Grateful Dead 50 times, never saw the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, U2, Led Zeppelin, Queen, James Taylor, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Prince, Bob Dylan, R.E.M, Crosby, Stills & Nash and many others in person. It's disappointing. I was going to see Coldplay in Florida when I first moved here, but they canceled. My luck.
Still, whenever I have a few free moments, I watch memorable performances on YouTube from the greatest show ever - Live Aid in London - among others like Live 8, Live Earth and the Sandy concert for New York, and it transports me there. Hopefully, I can scratch a few favorites off my list in the next decade before they retire.
Something I saw on twitter a few months ago caused me to put together a list of the best live concerts I ever attended. I expected to let it sit in my blogspot forever, but watching a documentary of "Woodstock" last night made me decide to make my list public. Yeah, you will see I haven't been out enough. LOL. But some of my friends may remember being with me on these memorable nights, and some days.
Here's the top 20 of my lifetime:
20. The Cars at the Hartford Civic Center in the 1980s - You can say that their shows are like putting an album on the turntable, but I thought they sounded great that night.
19. Bruce Springsteen at the Hartford Civic Center in the 1980s - The Boss put on a patented long, spirited show at the Mall.
18. Todd Rundgren at the Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Casino in the late 1990s - The future Hall of Famer (why isn't he in already?) put on a fun free show as I played a little video poker at the bar.
17. Elvis Costello at Lake Compounce in Bristol in the early 1990s - Had great seats up front as Elvis put on quite a nuanced performance after the "Mighty Like a Rose" album came out.
17. Elvis Costello at Lake Compounce in Bristol in the early 1990s - Had great seats up front as Elvis put on quite a nuanced performance after the "Mighty Like a Rose" album came out.
16. The Indigo Girls at the Yale Tennis Center in the early 1990s - Interesting venue and an awesome concert from the girls as I enjoyed a great time with a group of friends. Can't remember who opened.
15. Eddie Money at a New Britain (CT) Night Club (can't remember the name) in the early 1990s - Eddie's eyes looked bloodshot, but man he put on a super show. He summoned plenty of energy somehow. I had a ticket to paradise.
14. Ben Folds and Missy Higgins at UConn in 2008 - Still annoyed that I didn't bring my printed picture of me and Missy for her to sign, but the Aussie opened with a solid set before Folds had a ton of fun with his songs - and fake copies of them - from the "Way to Normal" album.
13. The Ramones following the S.O.S. Band spring weekend at UConn in 1984 - The S.O.S. Band had the crowd swaying to "Take Your Time" among other hits before Joey and the gang came out with their guitarists rocking it while standing on top of giant speakers.
12. Neil Young at the New Haven Coliseum in the 1980s - The king of distortion was amazing in the old barn, and I was as petrified as ever leaving in a car down the tight, winding lane in that hellish parking garage.
11. Bruce Springsteen at Meadowlands Arena in the 1990s - It was a traffic-filled drive from Manchester to East Rutherford, NJ, which included a jaunt down the Palisades Parkway (miss you Billy C), for a signature show from the Boss which came after the "Human Touch" album. He even played "Pony Boy" so everyone could have a quick bathroom break. LOL.
11. Bruce Springsteen at Meadowlands Arena in the 1990s - It was a traffic-filled drive from Manchester to East Rutherford, NJ, which included a jaunt down the Palisades Parkway (miss you Billy C), for a signature show from the Boss which came after the "Human Touch" album. He even played "Pony Boy" so everyone could have a quick bathroom break. LOL.
10. Lilith Fair at Hartford Ampitheater in the 1990s - Sarah McLachlan headlined the show that included Natalie Merchant, the Indigo Girls, Bonnie Raitt, Aimee Mann and many others. The group ended the show with an absolutely amazing rendition of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin On."
9. Missy Higgins at The Hi Hat in Providence in 2008 - The small jazz club was a beautiful venue for a fun concert from Missy, who I discovered when I taped Live Earth's Australia show over night. She worked with a small piano and acoustic guitar to play songs from her brilliant first two albums.
8. Crowded House at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Fla. in 2010 - Neil Finn and the boys were right on target with a two hour-plus show after their 2010 "Intriguer" album came out. Hope to see another concert at that venue.
7. Billy Joel at the Hartford Civic Center in the 1990s - I had great seats behind the stage thanks to old friend Eddie Pacheco and Billy put on the type of show you'd want to see from him in one try.
6. Rush at the Florida State Fairgrounds in 2012 - Geddy, Alex and "the Master" Neil Peart gave the fans a treat with a show that spanned the best of the trio's Hall of Fame career. It was more classics, less newer stuff in this performance.
5. Joe Walsh at the Jersey Shore in the 1990s - Me and my cousin Joe took the ride north from Seagirt, N.J. to spend the day before a terrific show at a relatively small venue. Who opened for the great Mr. Walsh? The band headed by Knicks/Rangers owner James Dolan. No joke.
4. Aimee Mann and Michael Penn at Toads in 2000 - Part of the married couple's "Acoustic Vaudeville Tour," they played sets both apart and together, and could not have sounded any better. Michael's version of "Me Around" might have been the highlight.
3. J Geils Band at UConn (freshman year) in 1981 or 82 - My roommate Jack Roche camped out with his friends over night to help me get a seat in the first few rows left of the stage for an amazing show after the group's "Love Stinks" album. With huge speakers right next to us, my ears were ringing for the next few days. This is the show where Lennon's song made for a joyous departure.
2. Bruce Springsteen at the Florida State Fairgrounds in 2011 - It was supposed to rain heavily all night, but after some pre-concert sprinkles the skies cleared for a predictable fantastic show. Yes, the Boss made the clouds go away. I hung with some college kids from Stetson who I met that night and had a great time.
1. The Eagles at Amalie Arena in 2013 - Any of the top 12 could have taken this spot because they were so close, but I have to go with my favorite band of all time. It was my first and last chance to see the great Glenn Frey in person before his death and the group sounded perfect as usual through a two hour-plus show.
High Honorable Mention: Aerosmith at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Aimee Mann in Providence at a small club, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at UConn, Bad Company/Joe Walsh at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Missy Higgins in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Others, all fun and unique in their own way: Aimee Mann at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Bruce Springsteen at the Florida State Fairgrounds 2013, Barenaked Ladies/Blues Traveler at the Florida State Fairgrounds, The Bodeans at Toads, Howard Jones at the Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun, Thunder Road (Springsteen cover band) south campus UConn, NRBQ at UConn, Rush at Amalie Arena, Dave Matthews Band at the Florida State Fairgrounds, The Clancy Brothers at the Melody Tent on Cape Cod, Eddie Money and Buster Poindexter at UConn, Santana at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Huey Lewis & the News in Wallingford, CT, Sheena Easton at the Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun.
Note: I might have also seen Jackson Browne in Wallingford, but can't be sure. ... I do not remember who played the other spring weekends at UConn. Somehow, I think Stevie Nicks and/or Lindsey Buckingham might have been there at some point. ... I'm pretty sure I saw Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow at Lake Compounce, either together or separately with others involved (Don Henley solo?). ... I also saw Keith Sweat for a few songs at the Wolf Den and met Missy Higgins at Borders Book store in Boston after she did a four-song set. ... Oh man, and all those great bands at the Irish Festival in Glastonbury.
High Honorable Mention: Aerosmith at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Aimee Mann in Providence at a small club, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at UConn, Bad Company/Joe Walsh at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Missy Higgins in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Others, all fun and unique in their own way: Aimee Mann at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Bruce Springsteen at the Florida State Fairgrounds 2013, Barenaked Ladies/Blues Traveler at the Florida State Fairgrounds, The Bodeans at Toads, Howard Jones at the Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun, Thunder Road (Springsteen cover band) south campus UConn, NRBQ at UConn, Rush at Amalie Arena, Dave Matthews Band at the Florida State Fairgrounds, The Clancy Brothers at the Melody Tent on Cape Cod, Eddie Money and Buster Poindexter at UConn, Santana at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Huey Lewis & the News in Wallingford, CT, Sheena Easton at the Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun.
Note: I might have also seen Jackson Browne in Wallingford, but can't be sure. ... I do not remember who played the other spring weekends at UConn. Somehow, I think Stevie Nicks and/or Lindsey Buckingham might have been there at some point. ... I'm pretty sure I saw Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow at Lake Compounce, either together or separately with others involved (Don Henley solo?). ... I also saw Keith Sweat for a few songs at the Wolf Den and met Missy Higgins at Borders Book store in Boston after she did a four-song set. ... Oh man, and all those great bands at the Irish Festival in Glastonbury.
