Pick a Day

Music History Events: Memorable Concerts

June 23, 1976 Paul McCartney wraps up the Wings Over America tour at the Forum in Los Angeles, marking the last time the ex-Beatle tours until 1989.

June 18, 1976 ABBA perform for Sweden's king on the eve of his wedding.

June 4, 1976 Blondie, Mink DeVille, Talking Heads, Laughing Dogs, and Tuff Darts play a show at CBGB that is packaged in the album Live At CBGB'S New York. The grimy club has become the mecca of the burgeoning punk/new wave scene in the city.

December 31, 1975 Elvis Presley sets a new single-show solo record at a concert in Pontiac, Michigan, which earns $800,000.

November 18, 1975 Bruce Springsteen begins his first UK tour at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, where he learns that his record company has gone overboard with the hype, distributing posters that say: "At last London is ready for Bruce Springsteen."

October 5, 1975 Original Wailers members Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer play together for the last time at the Wonder Dream Concert, which is a benefit organized by Stevie Wonder, in Kingston, Jamaica.

September 25, 1975 Jackie Wilson has a heart attack while performing "Lonely Teardrops" at the Dick Clark "Good Ol' Rock 'n' Roll" revue in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. When he falls, he hits his head and goes into a coma for four months. He regains consciousness but suffers brain damage that leaves him unable to walk or talk. Wilson dies in 1984.

September 9, 1975 Paul McCartney and Wings begin their historic 13-month world tour. US performances will be recorded as the double LP Wings Over America. The group plays to over two million fans total during the course of the tour.

September 7, 1975 The Guess Who perform their final concert (before the inevitable reunion), in Montreal.

July 20, 1975 Steven Van Zandt makes his first appearance in concert with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

June 29, 1975 Elton John makes a surprise appearance at a Doobie Brothers/Eagles concert at Oakland Coliseum, where he joins on the Doobies hit "Listen To The Music."

June 1, 1975 On his 28th birthday, guitarist Ronnie Wood plays his first gig with the Rolling Stones when they open their Tour Of The Americas in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is later named a full-fledged member of the band.

March 20, 1975 Patti Smith and Television begin a 7-week residency at CBGB in New York City. During these shows, Smith refines the songs that later appear on her debut album Horses.

January 16, 1975 Sly and the Family Stone fail to attract much notice with their eight-show, six-night "comeback" bid at Radio City Music Hall.

December 24, 1974 James Taylor, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell go Christmas carolling in Hollywood.

November 17, 1974 ABBA play their first gig outside Sweden, opening at the Kalkonerteater in Copenhagen on their first European tour.

October 6, 1974 While promoting their Nightbirds album, featuring the hit "Lady Marmalade," R&B trio Labelle becomes the first Black vocal group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

October 5, 1974 Randy Newman plays Atlanta Symphony Hall backed by an 87-piece orchestra conducted by his uncle Emil Newman.

October 4, 1974 At a concert in Wales, Thin Lizzy introduce their new lineup, with new additions Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson providing a twin-guitar attack.

July 4, 1974 Steely Dan (Walter Becker and Donald Fagan) give up live performing after a show in Santa Monica so they can focus on studio work, including the album Katy Lied. They don't tour again until 1993.

June 14, 1974 David Bowie's Diamond Dogs tour begins in Montreal. As part of the elaborate stage show, a giant diamond opens up to reveal Bowie.

May 1, 1974 At the request of President Nixon, the Carpenters perform at a state dinner honoring West German Chancellor Willy Brandt.

April 6, 1974 The Eagles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake and Palmer play to a crowd of 200,000 at the California Jam in Ontario, California.

March 22, 1974 Ten Years After play their final gig, seven years after their first one.

March 8, 1974 Rising from the ashes of Free and Mott the Hoople, the newly formed Bad Company play their first live gig, at Newcastle City Hall in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

February 22, 1974 Ten Years After play their final live gig, in London.

February 14, 1974 At the Forum in Los Angeles, Ringo Starr, Neil Young and Warren Beatty are in attendance for the last stop on Bob Dylan's tour with The Band.

January 26, 1974 The Doobie Brothers begin their first European tour with a show at the Rainbow Theatre in London.

January 19, 1974 Two Miami shows featuring Bob Dylan and The Band prove so popular that they cause a nine-mile-long traffic jam. Many ticket holders only get to see half of the show(s).

January 3, 1974 Bob Dylan begins a 6-week tour in Chicago with The Band, who do double duty: backing Dylan and then playing their own set. In July, the double album Before The Flood is released, featuring highlights from the shows.