Aardvark's Concert Aarchives
Rock Show
Tell me, what's that man moving cross the stage?
It looks a lot like the one used by Jimmy Page.
It's like a relic from a different age, could be, oo wee
Written by Paul McCartney
From the Paul McCartney and Wings album
Venus and Mars
1970's
During the 1970's I was blessed enough to see any number of bands who have either a) turned out to be world
renowned artists, b) had a second shot at fame with these early days looked back upon with a certain kind of reverance by
newer fans or c) ceased to be.
Rush falls into the a) column, Aerosmith into the b) and, tragically, Queen into c).
It was a time of musical discovery; a time to
see what was what and who was who as it were. Every generation
grows up reveering the bands that first introduced them to a
certain form of music. I count myself blessed to have grown up
with bands like Aerosmith, Queen, Rush, The Rolling Stones et
al; bands I might add that kids from future generations have
embraced.
Shit, they must have been doing something
right.
Hell, I suppose I don' need to mention Genesis, Max Webster, Thin Lizzy, the classic lineup of Styx, Emerson, Lake and Palmer... well, need
I go on?
So check out, if you dare, all the concerts that, for me, the
70's had to offer.
Concerts Attended in the 70's
Bond, 1975-04-20, Civic Auditorium, Opening for the Stampeders
The Stampeders, 1975-04-20, Civic Auditorium, Steamin' Tour
Mendelson Joe, 1975-06-14, Iroqouis Park Arena, Opening for Rush
Rush, 1975-06-14, Iroquois Park Arena, Fly By Night Tour
Heart, 1976-04-11, Oshawa Civic Auditorium, Opening for April Wine
April Wine, 1976-04-11, Civic Auditorum, The Whole Worlds Going Crazy Tour
Max Webster, 1976-06-16, Oshawa Civic Auditorium, Opening for Rush
Rush, 1976-06-16, Oshawa Civic Auditorium, 2112 Tour
Spirit, 1976-08-10, CNE Grandstand, Opening for Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton, 1976-08-10, CNE Grandstand, Frampton Comes Alive Tour
The Beach Boys, 1977-01-16, Maple Leaf Gardens, 15 Big Ones Tour
Thin Lizzy, 1977-02-01, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Queen
Quen, 1977-02-01, Maple Leaf Gardens, A Day At The Races Tour
Max Webster, 1977-03-18, Oshawa Civic Auditorium, Opening for Rush
Rush, 1977-03-18, Oshawa Civic Auditorium, All The World's A Stage Tour
Budgie, 1977-07-10, Nathan Phillips Square, NORML Benefit Show
April Wine, 1977-08-31, CNE Grandstand, Opening for Kansas
Kansas, 1977-08-31, CNE Grandstand, Point Of Know Return Tour
Queen, 1977-11-21, Maple Leaf Gardens, News Of The World Tour
Rick Derringer, 1977-12-10, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Aerosmith
Aerosmith, 1977-12-10, Maple Leaf Gardens, Draw The Line Tour
Emerson, Lake and Palmer, 1978-02-03, Maple Leaf Gardens, Works Vol II Tour
Zon, 1978-04-12, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for The Tubes
Rough Trade, 1978-04-12, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for The Tubes
The Tubes, 1978-04-12, Maple Leaf Gardens, What Do You Want From Live Tour
Max Webster, 1978-05-18, Oshawa Civic Auditorium, Mutiny Up My Sleeve Tour
Brand X, 1978-07-10, CNE Stadium, Opening for Genesis
Max Webster, 1978-07-10, CNE Stadium, Opening for Genesis
Genesis, 1978-07-10, CNE Stadium, ...And Then There Were Three Tour
Eddie Money, 1978-08-06, CNE Stadium, Opening for The Eagles
The Little River band, 1978-08-06, CNE Stadium, Opening for The Eagles
The Eagles, 1978-08-06, CNE Stadium, Summer Tour
Sammy Hagar, 1978-08-21, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Boston
Boston, 1978-08-21, Maple Leaf Gardens, Don't Look Back Tour
Zon, 1978-09-01, CNE Grandstand, Opening for Styx
Styx, 1978-09-01, CNE Grandstand, Pieces Of Eight Tour
Queen, 1978-12-04, Maple Leaf Gardens, Jazz Tour
Max Webster, 1979-04-14, Iroquois Park, A Million Vacations Tour
Triumph, Winter 1979, Oshawa Civic Auditorium, Just A Game Tour
1980's
The 80's afforded me the oppertunity to see bands which I had always loved but never managed to catch in
the previous decade. The Who, J. Geil's Band, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton and, at long last, The Rolling Stones (for two
consecutive nights no less).
Old aquaintences were renewed with Max Webster, Rush and Genesis. I was also witness to the death and resurection of a true
favorite of mine, Aerosmith.
A local Scarborough boy made good during the 80's and whose videos ruled Much Music for a while. I speak of none other than
Gowan. I first saw him at the old Ontario Place Forum. That was 1985, a year notable for a number of reasons, not the least of which being my
wedding to childhood sweetheart Rhonda. Gowan holds a special place for me since that was the first concert that her and I
ever saw together.
The 80's were an interesting time as it saw the ascendancy and demise of New Wave bands, synth pop bands and big hair bands.
Yet there was still some good old rock and roll to be found in there.
Please join me now for a walk through all the concerts that I enjoyed during the 80's.
Concerts Attended in the 80's
Max Webster, 1980-05-17, Club Anreene, Universal Juvenilles Tour
John Luc Ponty, 1980-07-16, CNE Stadium, Opening for The Who
J Geils Band, 1980-07-16, CNE Stadium, Opening for The Who
Heart, 1980-07-16, CNE Stadium, Opening for The Who
The Who, 1980-07-16, CNE Stadium, Summer Tour
Styx, 1981-08-07, Maple Leaf Gardens, Paradise Theater Tour
Godo, 1981-11-24, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper, 1981-11-24, Maple Leaf Gardens, Special Forces Tour
Genesis, 1981-12-06, Maple Leaf Gardens, ABACAB Tour
Genesis, 1982-08-28, CNE Grandstand, Three Sides Live Tour
Styx, 1983-08-23, CNE Grandstand, Kilroy Was Here Tour
Asia, 1983-08-31, Kingswood Theatre, Alpha Tour
Genesis, 1983-11-22, Maple Leaf Gardens, Genesis Tour
Gowan, 1985-07-18, Ontario Place Forum, Strange Animal Tour
Gowan, 1985-08-19, Kingswood Theatre, Strange Animal Tour
FM, 1986-03-17, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Rush
Rush, 1986-03-17, Maple Leaf Gardens, Power Windows Tour
Gowan, 1986-07-19, Ontario Place Forum, Summer Tour
Emerson, Lake and Powell, 1986-09-02, Massey H, Emerson, Lake and Powell Tour
Genesis, 1986-09-02, CNE Stadium, Invisible Touch Tour
Megadeth, 1987-02-26, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper, 1987-02-26, The Nightmare Returns Tour
Gowan, 1987-05-07, Massey Hall, Great Dirty World Tour
Cinderella, 1987-07-12, CNE Grandstand, Opening for Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi, 1987-07-12, CNE Grandstand, Slippery When Wet Tour
Gowan, 1987-07-22, Kingswood Theatre, Great Dirty World Tour
Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul, 1987-10-03, CNE Stadium, Opening for U2
Los Lobos, 1987-10-03, CNE Stadium, Opening for U2
U2, 1987-10-03, CNE Stadium, The Joshua Tree Tour
Dokken, 1987-10-20, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Aerosmith
Aerosmith, 1987-10-20, Maple Leaf Gardens, Permanent Vacation Tour
Jethro Tull, 1987-11-19, MLG, Not Quite The World, More The Here And There Tour
Chalk Circle, 1988-03-08, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Rush
Rush, 1988-03-08, Maple Leaf Gardens, Hold Your Fire Tour
Gowan, 1988-06-15, Ontario Place Forum, Summer Tour
Buckwheat Zydeco, 1988-10-07, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton, 1988-10-07, Maple Leaf Gardens, 25th Anniversary Tour
Joan Jett, 1988-12-13, Copps Coliseum, Opening for Robert Plant
Robert Plant, 1988-12-13 Copps Coliseum, Now And Zen Tour
Anderson, Brueford, Wakeman and Howe, 1989-08-22, CNE, ABWH Tour
Jethro Tull, 1989-10-26, Copps Coliseum, Rock Island Tour
Living Color, 1989-12-03, Skydome, Opening for The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones, 1989-12-03, Skydome, Steel Wheels Tour
Living Color, 1989-12-04, Skydome, Opening for The Rolling Stones
The Rolling stones, 1989-12-04, Skydome, Steel Wheels Tour
Bonham, 1989-12-13, Skydome Skytent, Opening for The Cult
The Cult, 1989-12-13, Skydome Skytent, Sonic Temple Tour
1990's
As unlikely as it may seem I saw a number of "classic rock" bands for the first time two decades or more
on from when they first set out. David Bowie on his Sound + Vision tour, a tour which he swore would be the last time all of
his hits were dragged out and paraded on stage. Considering the fact that he retired from touring on stage in 1973, I took
this statement with a grain of salt, but it was still one killer show.
I saw the Black Crowes opening up for Robert Plant at the old Maple Leaf Gardens. Rod Stewart at the CNE Stadium anyone.
Truth be told I really wasn't that impressed with Rod the Mod. Haven't been back to see him since. Even got to see the closest
thing any of us will probably ever come again to seeing the mighty Led Zeppelin in concert when Page and Plant brought their
tour to the Skydome Skytent. I am, of course, assuming that you were not one of the lucky few that got to see LZ's reunion
at the O2 Arena in London, England in 2008.
So check out, if you dare, all the concerts that, for me, the 90's had to offer.
Concerts Attended in the 90's
Skid Row, 1990-01-06, Skydome Skybowl, Opening for Aerosmith
Aerosmith, 1990-01-06, Skydome Skybowl, Pump Tour
Downchild Blues Band, 1990-02-03, Nagshead North, Pub Tour
David Bowie, 1990-03-07, Skydome Skybowl, Sound + Vision Tour
Rush, 1990-05-16, Maple Leaf Gardens, Presto Tour
Gowan, 1990-08-12, Ontario Place Forum, Lost Brotherhood Tour
The Black Crowes, 1990-10-03, Maple Leaf Gardens, Opening for Robert Plant
Gowan, 1990-10-03, Rock Emporium, Lost Brotherhood Tour
Yes, 1991-04-23, Skydome Skybowl, Union Tour
Rush, 1991-10-25, Copps Coliseum, Roll The Bones Tour (Opening Night)
Metallica, 1991-11-14, Maple Leaf Gardens, Metallica Tour (The Black Album)
Rush, 1991-12-09, Maple Leaf Gardens, Roll The Bones Tour (Closing Night)
Emerson, Lake and Palmer, 1992-08-09, Kingswood Theatre,Black Moon Tour
The Black Crowes, 1992-08-15, G. Ross Lord Park, High As The Moon Tour
Jethro Tull, 1992-11-03, Massey Hall, A Little Light Magic Tour
The Black Crowes, 1993-04-14, Varsity Arena, High As The Moon Tour
Aerosmith, 1993-08-06, CNE Grandstand, Get A Grip Tour
Rod Stewart, 1993-08-20, CNE Stadium, Unplugged...And Seated Tour
Procul Harem, 1993-09-04, Kingswood Theatre, Opening for Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull, 1993-09-04, Kingswood Theatre, 25th Anniversary Tour
Robert Plant, 1993-11-24, Varsity Arena, Fate Of Nations Tour
The Rolling Stones, 1994-08-20, CNE Stadium, Vooodoo Lounge Tour
Lawrence Gowan, 1994-08-23, CNE Bandshell, But You Can Call Me Larry Tour
The Rolling Stones, 1994-12-04, Skydome, Voodoo Lounge Tour
Rusted Root, 1995-03-27, Skydome Skybowl, Opening for Page and Plant
Page and Plant, 1995-03-27, Skydome Skybowl, No Quarter Tour
Max Webster, 1996-01-25, The Hammer Café, Max Is Back Tour
Sting, 1996-07-19, Molson Amphitheatre, Mercury Rising Tour
Emerson, Lake and Palmer, 1996-08-19, Kingswood Theatre, Opening for Tull
Jethro Tull, 1996-08-19, Kingswood Theatre, Roots To Branches Tour
Aerosmtih, 1997-07-06, Molson Amphitheatre, Nine Lives Tour
The Rolling Stones, 1998-04-26, Skydome, Bridges To Babylon Tour
The Alan Parsons Live Project, 1998-06-18, Molson Amphitheatre, Opening for Yes
Yes, 1998-06-18, Molson Amphitheatre, Open Your Eyes Tour (Opening Night)
Aerosmith, 1998-10-24, Copps Coliseum, A Little South Of Sanity Tour
The Rolling Stones, 1999-02-25, Air Canada Centre, No Security Tour
2000's
A new decade, a new (and old) batch of concerts to attend. Chris de Burg, der Schtingle (Sting) and AC/DC
were some of the best (and worst). CdB put on a great show considering I had absolutely zero expectations. Sting was one of
the few concerts that I got bored enough during the show that I got up and walked around the grass section at the Molson
Amphitheatre. And AC/DC? Well, what can I tell you about those boys from Oz. Blew my favorite band off the stage at SARStock.
That's all.
The Tragically Hip anyone? Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, PJ Harvey and Saga. It never ceases to amaze me how, as each year goes
by, I still manage to see older bands for the very first time; and believe me when I say I'm not complaining.
Old favs like Aerosmith, Robert Plant, The Stones, Alice Cooper and Rush... shit, it's been a busy decade thus far.
Please join me now for a walk through all the concerts that the 00's have
had to offer up to date.
Concerts Attended in the 00's
Chris de Burgh, 2000-04-11, Air canada Centre, Quiet Revolution Tour
Sting, 2000-07-07, Molson Amphitheatre, Brand New Day Tour
AC/DC, 2000-08-10, Air Canada Centre, Stiff Upper Lip Tour
Joe Cocker, 2000-09-29, Air canada Centre, Opening for Tina Turner
Tina Turner, 2000-09-29, Air Canada Centre, Twenty Four Seven Tour
Bon Jovi, 2000-11-27, Air Canada Centre, Crush Tour
The Tragically Hip, 2000-12-23, Air Canada Centre, Music @ Work
PJ Harvey, 2001-05-21, Air Canada Centre, Opening for U2
U2, 2001-05-21, Air Canada Centre, Elevation Tour
Robert Plant, 2001-06-03, Massey Hall, Strange sensations Tour
Aerostmih, 2001-06-03, Molson Amphitheatre, Just Push Play Tour
Rush, 2002-07-17, Molson Amphitheatre, Vapour Trails Tour
Styx, 2002-08-15, Casino Rama, Styxworld 2002 Tour
Saga, 2002-08-22, Molson Amphitheatre, Opening for Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull, 2002-08-22, Molson Amphitheatre, Living With The Past Tour
Run DMC, 2002-09-03, Molson Amphitheatre, Opening for Aerosmith
Kid Rock, 2002-09-03, Molson Amphitheatre, Opening for Aerosmith
Aerosmith, 2002-09-03, Molson Amphitheatre, O, Yeah! Tour
The Rolling Stones, 2002-10-16, Air Canada Centre, Forty Licks Tour
The Rolling Stones, 2002-10-16, Skydome, Forty Licks Tour
The Guess Who, 2003-07-30, Downsview Park, SARStock
Rush, 2003-07-30, Downsview Park, SARStock
AC/DC, 2003-07-30, Downsview Park, SARStock
The Rolling Stones, 2003-07-30, Downsview Park, SARStock
Cheap Trick, 2004-04-22, Copps Coliseum, Opening for Aerosmith
Aerosmith, 2004-04-22, Copps Coliseum, Honkin' On Bobo Tour
Edgar Winter Group, 2004-07-22, Molson Amphitheatre, Opening for Alice Cooper
Foghat, 2004-07-22, Molson Amphitheatre, Opening for Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper, 2004-07-22, Molson Amphitheatre, The Eyes Of Alice Cooper Tour
Rush, 2004-08-22, Molson Amphitheatre, 30th Anniversary Tour
Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation, 2005-07-06, Mighty Rearranger Tour
Cheap Trick, 2005-08-22, Docks Nightclub, Opening for Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper, 2005-08-22, Docks Nightclub, Dirty Diamonds Tour
The Rolling Stones, 2005-09-26, Rogers Centre, A Bigger Bang Tour
Lenny Kravitz, 2005-11-18, Air Canada Centre, Opening for Aerosmith
Aerosmith, 2005-11-18, Air Canada Centre, Rockin' The Joint Tour
Bon Jovi, 2006-01-26, Air Canada Centre, Have A Nice Day Tour
Queen + Paul Rogers, 2006-03-16, ACC, Return Of The Champions Tour
Styx, 2006-04-08, casino Rama, Big Bang Theory Tour
Alice Cooper, 2006-05-11, Barrie Molson Centre, Dirty Diamonds Tour
The Fab Faux, 2006-09-09, Massey Hall, Fab Faux Tour
Motley Crüe, 2006-10-02, Air Canada Centre, Route Of All Evil Tour
Aerosmith, 2006-10-02, Air Canada Centre, Route Of All Evil Tour Tour
Tom Cochrane, 2006-10-03, Club 279, No Stranger Live
Joan Jett, 2007-09-18, Molson Amphitheatre, Opening for Aerosmith
Aerosmith, 2007-09-18, Molson Amphitheatre, 2007 World Tour
Rush, 2007-09-22, Air Canada centre, Snakes & Arrows Tour
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 2007-11-26, Air Canada Centre, Christmas 2007 Tour
Alice Cooper, 2008-10-08, General Motors Centre, Along Came A Spider Tour
Tina Turner, 2008-11-13, Air Canada Centre, 50th Anniversary Tour
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 2008-12-05, Copps Coliseum, Christmas 2008 Tour