I got to open a few... Thin Ice opened Dirty Looks (like a lot of bands did at that time) and the bass player tried to pick up my wife while I was standing there with her (Jack Pyers, I haven't forgotten ,you putz!). In addition, they sucked...really bad AC/DC ripoff, and the singer was so wasted he wasn't sure he was even onstage.
On the other hand, we opened Foghat at Carlsbad Tavern in '90, which was awesome. We absolutely slayed that night... one of those rare combinations when you need to hit the mark, and do so in spades. Their drummer took me aside after the show and said, "You can't open for us anymore." I was devastated. "Why?" "How the fook do you expect a bunch of old men to follow something that good? We had to play our asses off!" I've never been prouder. I used to sit and listen to their live album, and look at the live photos inside the cover, and wish it was me. Too cool.
We also opened Savoy Brown (English blues rock band that actually gave birth to Foghat) at Swizzle's in York. Their guitarist, Kim Simmonds, was flat-out awe-inspiring. They played a slow blues, and I managed to tear myself away from what was happening onstage, and looked at the guys in my band and some friends we brought with us. I swear to you as I stand here today... we ALL had tears in our eyes. Not one lyric had been sung, just a beautiful, haunting series of notes on a Les Paul Black Beauty. It changed me. I then fully understood how profoundly someone could express themselves on guitar. Our set was average at best, but I still came away with the best feeling ever.
We also did an opener with minor hairband Heaven's Edge, with Reggie Wu in guitar. He was great, they were all very nice guys, but I wasn't into the choreographed dance moves they did. Thier vocals were good, and the band's work ethic was top-notch (only band other than mine I ever heard actually rehearsing vocal harmonies in the dressing room).
Oh yeah, there was a shot with a nobody band from Philly named Von Damien at the Empire Rock Room in Philly. That band was forgettable, but I met the guys in Cinderella right before they broke national, as well as Punky Meadows from the 70's band Angel (and also Giuffria, I think), and Tommy Conwell.
Boy does this thread take me back to the glory days. I told BadDazeRob not long ago that everybody should play in a rock and roll band for at least a little while. I'm sure you all know what I mean.
--->JMS
So I spent Warrant's set BSing about professional wrestling with a guy from the other opening band!
