This is a great thread that deserves resurrection.
Some of my high points. I'll likely leave out worthy shows due to the sheer volume over the decades and early onset dementia.
Gonna try and tackle roughly a decade at a time. This is Volume 1.
Kinda long-winded but hopefully entertaining on a marginal level...
1973 - Hibriten High School Battle Of The Bands, Lenoir, NC - My parents, the squarest of the square from a musical standpoint, took me to this show because I really wanted to go and they were the greatest parents ever. I saw a ragtag outfit cover 'Paranoid' by Black Sabbath and this whole ridiculous mess was set in motion..
1976 - Elton John - Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC - My first real show. Two hip sisters that lived across the street kept tabs on me after school and made sure I didn't burn the house down. They took me to this show. Pam and Deenie, I can't thank y'all enough. True queens.
1978 - Electric Light Orchestra - Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC - My first of 3 ELO shows. 'Out Of The Blue' tour with the full-on spaceship. This was back in the day when you started calling in to buy tickets when they went on sale, or you mailed in to get them. My mom called in while at work and scored me 10th row center. She was just the best.
1979 - AC/DC - Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC - 'Highway To Hell' tour. Molly Hatchet opened this show. Both bands were blazin' hot in '79, but it was the era of Bon Scott, baby, and he owned it. He'd sadly check out 4 months later.
1981 - Elvis Costello / Squeeze - Carmichael Auditorium, Chapel Hill, NC - I grew up in a culturally stunted blue collar town of 19,000. Going to college expanded my musical vocabulary exponentially. Indie record stores and shows like this made me what I am today. Squeeze as they were achieving liftoff and Elvis at the height of his power punk prowess. Much obliged, Declan.
1982 - R.E.M. - The Milestone, Charlotte, NC - This is a historic venue that's hosted every great band before they were recognized as a greet band. Capacity is about 150. After this show R.E.M. slept on the stage because they didn't have money for a hotel. I think they're doin' OK today. People, your small, locally owned clubs are your best bet for great music, intimacy and writing your aural history,
1982 - Neil Young - Carmichael Auditorium, Chapel Hill, NC - Finally, my first NY show. A solo affair that was just sublime. Career spanning set. That would change a year later.
1982 - Sonic Youth - Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC - And now for something completely different. Wow. This along with the R.E.M. Milestone show cemented my love of small clubs.
!983 - Talking Heads - Carmichael Auditorium, Chapel Hill, NC - Put on your big suit - it's the Stop Making Sense tour. Such an incredible experience. However great you think this tour was in person, I'm sad to say you're wrong - it was even better. Bernie Worrell - maestro.
1983 - U2 - Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC - This was the first US show of the War tour. Benefit show for children's charities headlined by Todd Rundgren. Rained like hell all day long. Crazy-ass Bono climbed the 40 ft. high lighting rig with a flag anyway.
1983 - Neil Young - Carmichael Auditorium, Chapel Hill, NC & Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC - Saw two NY shows that year. The CH show was totally solo supporting Trans. Outstanding. The Durham show a few months later still highlighted Trans in the main set but at this point Neil had done a 180 and added a full band Shocking Pinks rockabilly set at the end. This man has no fear. And that's why I love him.
1984 - The Clash - Carmichael Auditorium, Chapel Hill, NC - I feel so privileged to have had an encounter with Joe Strummer in my lifetime. Top-shelf musician. An even better human being. Miss you, man.
To be continued...