Experiencing My First Concerts: A Journey Through Memory Lane

Back when I was a young boy, my experiences with live music were largely courtesy of my older brother Michael. Ever since he allowed me to listen to all his albums, I began to grow up immersed in the world of rock music, listening to iconic bands like the Beatles, Frank Zappa, and so many more. As I grew older, my love for live music only intensified, leading to one of my most cherished memories to this day: my first concert.

My First Concert with Yes

When I was 14, I had the privilege of attending one of my favorite bands' most beloved albums in concert—The Relayer by the British rock band, Yes. This concert, held at the Spectrum in South Philadelphia, was a profound experience that left an indelible mark on my young life. The excitement of the crowd, the sweet pungent aroma of something in the air, the grand staging and sound system; it was all as magical as I had imagined. The show was nearly flawless and held a perfect standard.

Listening to each member of Yes perform with such precision and musicianship was truly humbling. Since then, I have had the privilege of attending 800 concerts, witnessing countless performances that live up to that initial experience. Here is a select list of some of my favorite concerts over the years:

Pink Floyd Kansas Joe Bonamassa Paul McCartney and Wings Jethro Tull The Kinks Jefferson Starship Genesis Led Zeppelin Queen Journey Peter Frampton Joan Jett and the Blackhearts The J Geils Band Supertramp The Eagles Boz Scaggs Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Pat Benatar Thin Lizzy Status Quo Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band The Grateful Dead The Allman Brothers The Doobie Brothers The Scorpions Def Leppard Judas Priest Queensryche Michael Jackson and The Jackson’s

Important Concerts in My Life

Of course, there were other unforgettable concerts that shaped my life, like the time my cousin and I went to see Michael Jackson and The Jacksons during their Victory tour, and the thrilling experience of attending the Empire tour with Queesryche. These moments added even more excitement and magic to my constantly growing love for live music.

Attending these concerts with friends and family, and the incredible musicians who appear on stage, continues to be my passion. Each concert is a new adventure, a new memory, and a new reason to fall even more in love with the magic of live music. Who knows, one day I may have the chance to attend 800 concerts following this path of musical wonder and magic!