worst performances live acts

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: RichM
Date: 07 May 02 - 06:13 PM

I first saw Jerry Jeff Walker live in Ottawa at the fabulous "Le Hibou" coffeehouse. I was always in awe of the place whenever I walked in; it was a local icon of folk talent. That night I was prepared to be blown away, my hero was here, live! The first set was great...but in between sets, he went across the street to a no-nonsense working man's tavern, and proceeded to get royally hammered (Le Hibou served only coffee and no alcoholic bevs).
Ditto after the second set.
In the third set he began to insult the audience... and slur his words, and mess up his chords. Still I liked his music, but I never felt like seeing him live again.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: GUEST,WyoWoman at Work
Date: 07 May 02 - 07:08 PM

Best of Show, definitely goes to Petit Glory. But I wondered if it was the guys in lab coats who got to live, or the roaches. I know this story is awful, but it's so hilarious I'm raising my co-workers' eyebrows.

I saw Chuck Berry in Albuquerque in the early 1980s, like maybe 1981. I had only been a reporter for a year or two and was working for the Albuquerque Journal. Wrote a story about Chuck Berry -- don't think I got an interview with him, just one of those icky stories you have to do on deadline because the damned subject never called you back and there's a hole in the paper with your name on it so you have to come up with something. And I did. But my fella at the time was a radio announcer whose station was sponsoring the show, so we got free tickets and I was really looking forward to the performance. I couldn't figure out where, exactly, on the horseracing track they were going to do this performance.

Well, time came and went for the show to start and after about 45 minutes, the audience was getting loudly restive. The bleachers were set up by the track and all of a sudden out of Gates 4,5,6,and 8, a big truck hauls ass, pulling a flatbed trailer behind it. And there was Mr. Berry, holding onto a sort of large guitar stand for dear life -- I honestly think they just tied him to the mast -- and trying not to fall off the trailer.

The truck comes to a dusty halt in front of the bleaghchers and Mr. Berry springs, sort of, into action. He was so completely wasted it didn't matter what song he was singing, since no one could have picked out two complete words in a row. He just sort of stayed in one place, cradled by the man stand. Then, the pathetic part really started. He got out of his little stand and did a couple of passes along the front of the trailer doing a hollow shadow of his famous "duck walk." The backup band was good -- it also was a bunch of local pickup musicians -- and the show would have been fine if they'd just stuffed a sock in ol' Chuck and partied on. The really sad thing was that a bunch of kids had come to the show and they left thinking THAT was the old-time rock 'n' roll.

Notice how much substance abuse has to do with the worst of the worst here? Small wonder. I have one itsy bitsy drinkie poo and my pitch slides south and the lyrics go to the bottom of the glass. Two drinks and I'd probably be reciting nursery rhymes in an unknown tongue.

WW

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Nemesis
Date: 08 May 02 - 06:56 PM

Dare I say it? Bob Dylan on Saturday at the Brighton Centre was incomprehensible, baffling, meaningless and ultimately very boring - and a rip off for GBP27.50 standing room only

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: van lingle
Date: 08 May 02 - 07:12 PM

At the Warner theatre in Washington, D.C. in the mid -70's Bonnie Raitt was doing a superb show on acoustic and then a drunken Stephen Stills ambled out, seemingly uninvited and joined in for one or two numbers playing some very sloppy slide guitar and then slithered off and the show then got back on track. The one and only time I saw John Prine, also back in the 70's he was so drunk that he mostly guffawed his way through his short set preceding Steve Goodman (talking about sublime/ridiculous). vl

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 09 May 02 - 06:33 PM

Just caught up with this thread.

Re Petit Glory's post... the Old Pull and Push's Flying Cockroach circus went down a storm when I saw it at Sidmouth about 20 years ago. Mainly because the audience already had an idea of what to expect from the Old Pull and Push. And also because they were actually very funny.... and also because Caroline was dressed in black leather hot pants, so not many people were looking at the cockroaches

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 May 02 - 09:37 PM

According to Spaw, I believe, *** ANDY KAUFMAN *** should get top billing for consistently doing the most rotten performances in history!!!

You don't agree? Take it up with Spaw.

- LH

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: pict
Date: 09 May 02 - 09:48 PM

John Martyn has put on a few famously bad gigs one of which he arrived 3 hours late for played for 5 minutes then proceeded to vomit into a bucket before collapsing on stage in a state of total stupefaction.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 May 02 - 10:17 PM

petit glory

i recall [nearly said re-member] that 'act' with the cockroaches. it was disgusting. a lot of the audience, including me, were horrified; and some children were terrified of these large insects.

the part that sickened me most was the heartless way the handlers treated these creatures,by 'accidently' on purpose walking on the ones which had fallen onto the ground and producing loud cracking noises as they were squashed underfoot

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 10 May 02 - 12:40 AM

I hate to say it, but Bob Gibson performed terribly the one time I saw him. I was a college student and looking forward to hearing him. I had heard about him for years, about what a dynamic performer he was. He was filling in for Jamie Brockett (who had cut his hand and couldn't play) at Amazing Grace Coffeehouse in Evanston. The first show was sold out, so we came back for the second show. Gibson was acting like he would rather have been anywhere else but on stage. I suspect ingested substances played a role, as he was swaying through the entire performance. After hearing what Art said about how good a performer he was, I wish I had seen him when he was in top form.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 10 May 02 - 03:27 PM

In the rock arena, one of the worst concerts I saw was at the famous Marquee club in London in 1975. The group Strider played. They were loud, I didn't think the guitarist could play, but he did spit on the ceiling a lot. I wondered how I let myself be dragged out to this. A couple years later a friend got some free passes in Chicago to see a triple bill of The Fabulous Poodles, The Godz, and The Ramones. The Godz bass player was slugging down southern comfort and slurring his speech by the end of the night. A bunch of drunken children (to borrow a phrase from Rosalie Sorrels) amused themselves by throwing beer cups at the band. I don't know why a bad biker type band was booked with two new wave bands. But, I didn't feel sorry for them, they were so bad.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 10 May 02 - 03:54 PM

As a lifelong Newcastle United fan I've seen my share of shite performances over the years, but musically I have to add to the list of Bob Dylan duds: Isle of Wight. Good grief.

I walked out on the Walker Brothers and Mott the Hoople, but I have to add myself to the list for an embarrssing performance in the Bolivar, Darlington, circa 1969. And take note of this lest you are tempted to try something similar. Don't EVER sing Fleetwood Mac's 'Long Gray Mare' without the band playing the intro first so you can hit the right key. I was off by a mile and never got it back. The audience AND the band pissed themselves laughing. I still have nightmares ...

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Ballyholme
Date: 10 May 02 - 04:38 PM

Can I add yet another Dylan gig to this thread? I've seen him three times and despite being a life-long fan of his recorded work, his live performances have always been, er ...... disappointing?

The worst experience was when he played the Dondonald Ice Rink in Belfast. He was awful - out of time, out of breath, and out of order. To make matters worse, it was a stand up concert and the organizers had placed a layer of carpet over the ice rink. It was fine at the beginning of the gig but was the night wore on, the chill from the ice began to creep up our legs. By the end of the evening my nether regions were in serious danger of frost bite.

As usual, on his visits to Ireland, Dylan's ass was saved by Van Morrison, who came on and sang a few songs with him. Never again!

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 May 02 - 05:49 PM

Ya... but who saved Van Morrison????

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 10 May 02 - 11:13 PM

Ballyholme,

You mean there's a way to see a concert without standing on a covered ice rink?

Steve (who's seen too many shows at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens).

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: van lingle
Date: 11 May 02 - 07:24 AM

I forgot(or rather repressed)a performance I gave at the Folkarts Festival at Koreshan State Park in Estero, FL about 5 years ago. My partner at the time and I had been rehearsing for this gig for weeks as someone who booked "folkie" acts in SW FL was going to be there. A few days before the show I came down with a nasty strep throat and went on and sang ( or croaked) anyway at the insistence of my partner. I must have sounded like Wallace Beery with a burlap sack over his head. At any rate the instrumentals were well recieved but we never heard from that agent.vl

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 May 02 - 12:59 PM

A number of the finer live performances I've ever seen have been by Bob. I seem to miss his off nights. "I can't help it if I'm lucky..." :-) I agree that Isle of Wight was godawful (judging by the recorded material), but I wasn't there to see it.

- LH

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Cockroach
Date: 15 May 02 - 05:49 PM

I must take issue with Petit Glory (11.4.02) and his rather ungenerous remarks about the Cockroach Spectacular. I was there, I was a member of the cast and little of what he/she said bears any resemblence to the actual events that night. We were fantastic, the audience loved us (no slow handclaps/crying children) and furthermore we were extremely well looked after by our handlers. In fact we stayed at a very 'swish' hotel yards from the festival site.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 02 - 06:10 PM

As to Dylan as a live performer, I think that with Dylan, as with any of the mega superstar types, how much one worships/loathes the artist in question seems to color most people's perceptions of the quality of their performances.

Very few people are able to objectively evaluate musical performances of those they either love or loathe, IMO. But then, if you go into a performance without the extreme emotions one way or the other, but just with anticipation for someone you heard good things about, or enjoy their recordings, I think it is much easier to give objective reports on the performance.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Yorkshire Tony
Date: 15 May 02 - 08:02 PM

I think the worst that I have ever been involved in was on a ship coming out to Australia. We had a concert night and a few of us put together a scratch folk group. We were on early and the spot went pretty well BUT ....

We indulged in a beverage or twenty while watching the other acts, then the MC decided to call us back for an unscheduled second spot - we were terrible - it reminded me of the line from Eddie Baker:

There were different tunes in different times and all in different keys ...

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Ballyholme
Date: 16 May 02 - 10:15 AM

Guest,

I regard myself as an avid Dylan fan, and much as I'd love to say that I've seen him give a great performance, I have to be honest and say that I haven't. In fact, I'm currently 3-0 in that respect. Nothwithstanding the fact that he is Bob Dylan, I wouldn't offer him a gig at my local folk club on the basis of what I've seen.

That said, I know that he can give powerful live performances. Enough people have testified to that down the years.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 16 May 02 - 10:44 AM

Ballyholme,

I'm sorry to hear that. I saw him in the eigthies and vowed I'd never go again. I then heard positive feedback on his shows in the nineties and I've seen him twice in the last few years. He and his band were outstanding.

Little Hawk, I guess by now you've heard he's coming to the Molson Amphitheatre on August 16th.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 16 May 02 - 01:30 PM

Anne Murray in the late 80s - she was drunk and got into a verbal altercation with a couple of hecklers to the right of the stage. Then she told us that if we'd really clap loudly she'd dance for us. I think that is when I left.

My worst was the night I got drunk in self-defense up at Challis in the Custer Saloon. Last song was Tennessee Stud and the guy who requested it and I both passed out at the same time. To my credit I fell backwards and did not injure my faithful guitar.

Steve

The other side of this is I've only had the one negative experience in seeing folks. But then I've only been to 3-4 concerts in my life.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 May 02 - 01:46 PM

Heh... Anne Murry, drunk... I'd pay money to see that!

LOL!!!!

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 16 May 02 - 02:53 PM

Well CH - it was funny - and that is a fact. And I don't think she can dance LMAO

Steve

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 May 02 - 03:02 PM

Steve - I had not heard. Hmmmm... Maybe I'll go this time, and see ol' Bob again. I'm sure my friend, Johhny Death, will be there. Gotta give him a call and see...

Thanks!

- LH

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: GUEST,The Jester
Date: 17 May 02 - 08:22 AM

You got a lot of nerve to say you are my freind when I was down you just stood ther grin'in

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: GUEST,Guest Baillie
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 08:34 AM

...about 25 years ago I witnessed a dreadful but very amusing floor spot by a scotsman at the Bradshaw Tavern Folk Club near Halifax, West Yorkshire. He got up to sing with his guitar and (unfortunately) a drum machine that he'd made himself, he started off OK but as his song progressed the drum machine took on a life of it's own and began to go faster and faster, rather stupidly the guy tried to keep up with it until the roars of laughter from the audience eventually drowned him out and he made a hurried and embarrassed exit! laugh! I thought me pants would never dry!

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 01:22 PM

LOL! I wish I'd seen that one. Sounds like what might happen if Malcolm Buggeroll did a live sex show in Amsterdam.

Subject: RE: worst performances live acts
From: GUEST,Lash LaRue
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 06:44 PM

Memorable and awe-inspiring to my 15-year old self.
Village Corner, Toronto, mid-'Sixties.
Paul Clayton, may he rest in peace, drove up to the gig in a little sports car with Mississippi plates. During intermission, he came out to find the tires slashed (probably by someone who thought they were making a civil rights statement).
Proceeded to sing "Sam Hall."
At the point in the song where the lyric is "Goddamm your eyes, you muckers all" (if I remember it correctly) he violently rips a string off the guitar. And continues to rip another string off after each line
until the bridge was torn off and pieces of the top lay at the audience's feet.
Then he actually said it was a borrowed guitar and walked off stage.

Gotta travel on . . .

Lash LaRue