Re: Which 80s & earlier bands/artists still sound the best?

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Henley can still get up there, don't know how he does it. And now, they still

Feb 14, 2024, 11:06 AM [ in reply to The Eagles*** ]

have Vince Gill in reserve, just in case he can't. I have seen them live on three occasions, first on August 3, 1975 on the "One of These Nights" tour at Carolina Coliseum in Columbia. That was the "original" lineup of Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner on bass, with the late addition of Don Felder on lead guitar, who came on board for the "On the Border" album. They were superb. Tickets were $17.50 each, best seats in the house aside from the floor, a princely sum at the time.

Next time was 2009, on the "Long Road from Eden" tour, at North Charleston Coliseum. I was mostly curious how they would still sound after all the years and personnel changes. No more Bernie Leadon, Don Felder, or Randy Meisner. But, the addition of Joe Walsh, who came on board starting with the Hotel California album, was HUGE. Timothy B. Schmitt was an able replacement on bass, but couldn't touch Randy Meisner's voice range, and to the bands credit, they didn't try to make him do that. Stuart Smith as a sideman capably played the Don Felder guitar parts, although not with the ease and flair of Felder. Again, the show was techincally superb. Tickets were $130 each, stratospheric compared to 1975.

Next was the first tour with Vince Gill on board after the passing of Glenn Frey, this time at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. Again, I was curious as to how they would look and sound without Glenn, and with the additions of his son Deacon, and Vince Gill. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they still had "it", and the show production was as slick as ever. My only letdown was that Vince Gill was almost unused on this tour, considering his immense talent. He was basically just providing background harmonies, I think "Take It to the Limit" may have been the only song he soloed on. Frey's son Deacon was still handling most of the songs that Vince would take on once Deacon left to pursue his own career in music. Deacon's voice was almost a clone of Glenn's, sometimes almost eerily so. Tickets for this show, which I had to purchase on the secondary market via Ticketmaaster, were over $400 (!) each, once all their fees were added on. That is too rich for me, so, even though they are still touring, most likely that was my last time seeing them live.

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Bongiovi never sounded good live any way. I saw him 4 times and he was about like Stephen Pearcy from Ratt, darn near tone deaf. As far as never disappointing, Metallica has always been really good live. GreenDay is one of the best as far as sounding like the LP.
I have t seen too many bands from that era lately. The Eagles were amazing at Death Valley. Great voices. Kansas was always amazing live as well.

I’ve probably seen more 90’s-present artist live lately. Alanis Morissette is incredible live. Five Finger Death Punch is incredible. Breaking Benjamin is unreal and sounds like the album. Dorothy is another. Shinedown also never disappoints.

I guess there’s a pattern there. Yes, I was a child of the 70’s and 80’s as well. I was a hair band lover. I think grunge was my sweet spot. I like them loud and heavy. Brett Michaels couldn’t sing well either. Lots of studio magic added. Vince Neil has moments of splendor. It depends how far off the wagon he’s gotten. When he’s sober, he can sing with anyone.

That’s my two cents. You and I have about a year age difference.

Which 80s & earlier bands/artists still sound the best?