QUEEN

I attended two QUEEN concerts, both at the Richfield Coliseum. Out of high school, I was drawn to the guitar work of Brian May. His homemade "Red Special' had a different sound than other bands I listened to.
I believe the first show I attended was for the "News Of The World" tour on November 25, 1978:

a ticket from the show:









The second show was on September 21,1980 and DAKOTA opened:

TED NUGENT with J.GEILS BAND

The Motor City Madman rolled into Cleveland on December 17, 1982 and I was there. The venue was the Richfield Coliseum. Opening act was REX (REX SMITH) followed by J.GEILS BAND. Ted was LOUD. My seat was on the floor about 3/4 back. I remember somebody throwing a firecracker on stage....which got Ted agitated. He stopped in a middle of a song and wanted someone to bring the a$*H@&& up onstage...

Although a mild fan of J. Geils (owned a few LPs),I don't remember much their set...I'm sure I enjoyed it.

an ad for the show:

what Ted sounded like....

THE DEAD MILKMEN

On September 24th 1986 The Dead Milkmen played Cedars Lounge in downtown Youngstown. Cedars was THE place in Y-town for alternative/punk bands. This is where you could find me most weekends. Before Cedars started hosting bands in the early '80s...it was a stop for my friends & I prior to going to a show at the Agora (Tomorrow) Club...just around the corner. Cedars had bands from all around the valley as well as some national and even international. It has since closed and moved to the west side of town.

The Dead Milkmen got some play on early MTV. I think I heard "Bitchin Camaro" and got hooked!

what they sounded like:

RAMONES

I've been lucky enough to see the Ramones live 3 times. The first show was in my hometown which by the way is the first city outside of NY that the band ever played!

From Wikipedia:    At the band's first major performance outside of New York, a June date in Youngstown, Ohio, approximately ten people showed up.

The first show I saw them at was on October 4 1981.  I stood up front near the stage...which led to me not hearing well out of my right ear for 4-days!

 newspaper ad for the show:

my ticket stub:



The next show was on July 21, 1986 and was at the Phantasy night club in Cleveland. I bought a tour shirt (long gone!) and an autographed B&W promo photo. This was the ANIMAL BOY tour.

a flyer for the show:

  the photo:

The last I attended was at Kent State University. This was November 15, 1986. The thing I remember most about the show was seeing Stiv Bators in the parking lot & heading into the building.

an ad for the show:

my ticket stub:

what they sounded like in 1981....this performance is 22 days after I saw them: