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What Memories Do You Have from Your First Concert?

By: Caitlin Goebel (View Profile)

Let’s take it back to the fifth grade. It’s my best friend’s birthday. The night started out with all of us going over to her house. We did each others make-up, picked out the “perfect” outfits and practiced the lyrics over and over again until we had them memorized. As we walked through the doors of the Rose Garden Arena we felt ten times older than we were. All five of us including her mom stood up a little taller than normal. We took our seats and then the music started “Ohhhhh … I’m just a girl …” the crowd went crazy. The lights, the sound, the audience, lit up and didn’t stop for two hours. We felt like we were on top of the world and all grown up.

Everyone has vivid memories about the first concert they’ve ever gone to. Whether it was Michael Jackson, Eddie Money, or Poison, chime in to tell us the first concert you went to.

The giveaway ended June 27th, but you can still add your story to this chit chat. Look for more giveaways and stand by for an announcement about our winner.

 

06.04.2008 Report
I was 11. My best friend/cousin (we're Italian -- our best friends are always our cousins) and I were dying to see Van Halen. We promised both sets of parents it would be clean, safe, family fun. After many weeks of begging, first my parents, then hers, relented. Her dad chaperoned.

David Lee Roth came out in assless chaps.
A guy next to us grabbed his girlfriend's boob in time with the beat.
A girl who borrowed my binoculars thanked me and added "and fuck you Valerie Bertinelli!".
Many joints were offered.

And as we exited the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, a guy with a mullet ran past me and swiped my jacket.

Not only did our parents ban us from all future concerts, we weren't even allowed to tell our friends about our experience. I assume, 27 years later, that the ban has lifted. I hope so, as I saw David Lee Roth strut his stuff with Van Halen just a few months ago, and it was as fantastic -- though perhaps a bit tamer -- as the first time.
06.04.2008 Report
My first concert was Three Dog Night when I was 8 or 9 at one of the local amusement park's amptheater. My mom, uncle and cousins went too. I remember this really hippie looking couple was on a funky colored blanket in front of us and I was totally intrigued by them. They seemed to be having such an awesome time. Then out of nowhere my mom was like "OMG they just lit a joint!"
Needless to say, the adults made us move and I don't really remember much else about the concert except that and when they sang "Joy to the World" which at that point was the only song I knew. Kinda bizarre!

My favorite concert was seeing Bon Jovi at the Ford Center in OKC....love 'em!!!!

06.04.2008 Report
I was 14 at my first concert and saw Journey - their opening act was The Babys (led by John Waite). I remember my Dad asking (in front of me and my friends) if they were going to put a lot of babies on stage and he thought he was so funny. I was embarrassed at the time but now it is funny. Had a great time at the concert - love Steve Perry's voice! Danced and sang along with all the Journey songs and hooked up with the cute 16 year old brother of a friend from school. Bought the 3-qtr sleeve concert shirt and wore it to school the next day and thought I looked so cool!
06.04.2008 Report
I remember my first concert. My feet didn't even reach the floor. We sat on folding chairs. I
practised my clarinet for month's . I was so afraid it would squeak when I played the high notes; and the concert was at night, I was afraid of the dark. I was afraid my Mom wouldn't be there when I was finished playing. The concert went well though everyone applauded.
06.04.2008 Report
Willie Nelson @ age 5 at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. I remember being miserable and I think I made my parents miserable, too! Funny!

Beyond that...my favorite experience was seeing the Doobie Brothers at the Magic Kingdom for a private party with my dad. It was a great bonding experience.
06.04.2008 Report
Ouch... first concert was blind date that my father arranged with a friend's son... went to aerosmith. We had seats behind some big pole...couldn't see the stage. The guy had the worst breath imaginable.... and armor-all'd his trucks seat before we went! haha
S T S T
06.04.2008 Report
At the Cleveland Stadium back in the 70's, there was Fleetwood Mac, J. Geils Band, Chicago and Peter Frampton. It was really loud and I couldn't hear for 3 days after the concert! There was people making whoopi under blankets on the lawn, there was a certain aroma in the air and if that same concert where held today, there would be plenty of arrests!
06.04.2008 Report
My first concert was the Osmond brothers some 30 years ago and we wrote letters to Donny , hoping to get back stage.
06.04.2008 Report
It was KISS! That was in the 70's when they were just coming out with the hits that made them famous!
06.04.2008 Report
Def Leppard when I was 16! I'll never forget my friend wore a Union Jack shorts and tank top outfit - it was awful even back then!
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