The other day I was thinking about what I would do if I had a time machine. Would I travel back in time? Or would I travel forward? Or would I travel sideways? I don’t even know! But then I got to thinking: what if I could go back and be at some awesome and/or strange events in the world of music? Which events would I choose to visit? And that is the question that got me started on this list. It’s not a Top 10 List. Or even a Top 20. I’m just going to start running through some events that come to mind…mainly ones where I can find a picture to share. I’m going to try to update this list on a monthly basis. Feel free to share in the comments. I’m sure you all can think of some great moments to go back and visit (if/when possible). (Note: I’m sure I’m going to leave out a lot of amazingly-important events in the history of music. And I’m probably going to leave out your favorite musicians and bands. Sorry about that. It’s just the nature of lists. Feel free to comment with your own would-be entries for this ongoing list. Thanks!)
- Pink Floyd & The Who (New Year’s Eve, 1966, Manchester)
Admission 1 pound?!?! Honestly, if I only had a time machine for 1 trip, I’d have to use it to go back and see this show. I mean, SERIOUSLY?!?
Pink Floyd with The Who (New Year's Eve, 1966, Manchester)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers with Nirvana and Pearl Jam (New Year’s Eve, 1991, San Francisco)
Three of the biggest bands from my childhood together on New Year’s Eve. Wow.
Red Hot Chili Peppers with Nirvana & Pearl Jam (New Year's Eve 1991, San Francisco)
- The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show (1964)
If *anyone* has a time machine, I’m pretty sure this is a mandatory stop. This is one of those moments that changed our music world forever.The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show (1964)
- Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Portland, Oregon – June 29, 1986)
I got this picture in a forwarded email. Apparently, someone found these ticket stubs in a book they checked out at a local library. Pretty sweet deal, I’d say! Anyways, I bet that was a kickass concert.
Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers concert ticket stubs (June 1986 - Portland, OR)
- Bob Marley, Mick Jagger & Peter Tosh (1978)
Peter Tosh is one of my all-time favorite musicians. I’m not exactly certain of where this picture was taken, but I’m going to assume that it was during the recording of Tosh’s album Bush Doctor because both Jagger and Marley contributed to that album. I would have LOVED to be in the studio during those sessions!
Bob Marley, Mick Jagger & Peter Tosh (1978)
- Charles Barkley hosts SNL with musical guest Nirvana (1993, Saturday Night Live)
I’m a big fan of Saturday Night Live. Yes, I know. It’s terrible these days, right? Well, that’s what everyone says every year. But I’ve stuck with it this long. What’s another year? Anyways…back in 1993, there was an episode that featured Charles Barkley as host and Nirvana as the musical guest. I could probably find this on Hulu or YouTube, but I would have loved to be in the audience that night. I’m sure the chemistry was magical. And to make things even more awesome, there were cameos by RuPaul and Muggsy Bogues. Now that is outstanding.
Charles Barkley and Nirvana on Saturday Night Live (1993)
Charles Barkley, Nirvana, RuPaul & Muggsy Bogues on SNL (1993)
- Madonna, Sting & Tupac (1994, Tribeca dinner party)
Not much to say here. Just an odd grouping. I miss Tupac.
Madonna, Sting & Tupac (Tribeca dinner party, 1994)
- Michael Jackson & Freddie Mercury (circa 1980)
I’m not sure when or where this picture was taken. All I can find out is that Michael Jackson stopped by the studio in 1980 when Queen was recording The Game. And from there, the legend goes that Michael and Freddie struck up a friendship. And apparently, they collaborated on some duets that have yet to be released. Some websites are reporting that the Michael Jackson/Freddie Mercury duets album will be released in 2012.
Michael Jackson & Freddie Mercury (circa 1980)
- Mick Jagger forms group
“I hope they don’t think we’re a rock ‘n’ roll outfit.” Classic!
Mick Jagger forms group (newspaper clipping)
- Nirvana casting call for Smells Like Teen Spirit video
I’ve got a few Nirvana references in this list so far. I know a lot of people hated them. But oh well. They were a big part of my childhood, as they were my favorite band. This video was huge, and it would have been awesome to be in it.
Nirvana video casting call flier for 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' video (1991)
- Willie Nelson & Snoop Dogg smoking backstage at the Glastonbury Music Festival (June 2010)
Okay. I probably wouldn’t use my time machine to go back to witness this. But I thought it was a cool picture. I wonder what they talked about. I’m pretty sure they don’t remember!
Willie Nelson & Snoop Dogg smoking backstage at the Glastonbury Music Festival (June 2010)
Like I said, I’m hoping to update this every month. Please comment and share!
I had a ticket to go with a friend and see Elton John at Madison Square Garden the day after Thanksgiving, 1974. Thanksgiving afternoon I get a call from a different friend. He’s younger than me–I was a sophomore in college then–and wants to know if I want to go with him to see Elton John Thanksgiving night. His folks won’t let him go to the show without someone older to accompany him.
It’s a rainy, dreary day. I’m going from Connecticut to see Elton John the next night. I say, nah, why don’t you call Randy–maybe he’ll want to go into New York City to see Elton John two nights in a row.
Thanksgiving night, 1974: John Lennon joins Elton John on stage to perform “Whatever Gets You Through the Night,” “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” and “I Saw Her Standing There.” Afterward, Lennon reunites with Yoko. It is the last live performance of John Lennon’s life.
He does not return and perform with Elton John the next night, the night I go to the concert.
May I borrow that time machine? I have a mistake to correct…
I would like a time machine so I could go back and buy a brand new 1959 Fender Stratocaster then attend Buddy Holly’s final performance where I’d get him to sign and date the scratchplate.
The Allman Brothers at Fillmore East is where my time machine would stop.
well,I will go and tell all the artist we lost in accidents ,don´t take that plane Lynyrd Skynyrd…don´t take that chopper Stevie Ray.
Well, this is a tough one, as there are literally thousands and thousands of things I’d want to do with a functioning time machine (for instance; I’d definitely fly out to Napoleon’s neck of the woods and pick up Uncle Rico so he could get back to the 1980’s … like many, I’ll never rest until I see if he can throw that football over those mountains). After that quick stop-off, I think I’d jet over to London and find Mr. Strummer … I’d beg him to come with me to one of London’s leading cardiologists and we’d get that damn heart defect fixed up so it wouldn’t fail and take him away from music). Since I’m limited with my text here, I’ll just add one more stop … I’d rush over to Joseph Jackson’s house, right after Michael was born. I’d find Mrs. Jackson a new good man and put Joe and his pencil-thin con man moustache into the Witness Protection Program in some distant territory. Michael would grow up normal, the Jackson 5 would never come into existence (yes, they produced a handful (but no more than that) of gems but we’d get along without Ben, Dancin’ Machine and One Bad Apple …). The planet would be far better, the children would go un-diddled, Tito could live without that heavy chip on his shoulder and, Lord Almighty, no crazy-ass Latoya selling time on the Psychic Network!) and The Osmonds would be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with ABBA and Madonna! Upon my return from this travel through space and time, I’d be welcomed back with a massive ticker-tape parade in NYC’s Canyon of Heroes and I’d really deserve it, don’t you think?
With nothin’ but love for the planet,
Chris
Byrds & Buffalo Springfield @ The Monterey Pop Music Fest in 1967.
I’d probably go to see last (or any of the last ones) concert of Joy Division.
Woodstock 1969 all days and until monday morning (To see Jimi perform).
Than wait until the end of ’69 and ito 1970 and see and hear Jimi perform the legendary live take of Machinegun @ The Fillmore East in NYC.
Go to the Dakota Building late in the evening of 8 December 1980, and crash-tackle Mark David Chapman.