Exclusive Insights: Regrets and Elusive Concerts of a Lifelong Rock Fan

As a lifelong rock enthusiast, the experience of seeing live concerts is a cherished memory. However, it is not uncommon for even the most passionate music lovers to miss out on incredible opportunities due to unforeseen circumstances. In this article, we will explore some of the regrets and unseen bands that a dedicated fan of rock music often reflects on.

Personal Regrets and Missed Opportunities

One of the saddest missed opportunities for many rock fans is The Velvet Underground. Despite numerous impressive live performances, John Cale and Jerry Harrison were not part of the band's original lineup, and their lineup changes could have made their concerts even more memorable. Although I was young, my timing was off when I should have seen The Beatles. Although I did witness a performance by Swinging Blue Jeans supported by the Applejacks in 1964 or 5, there were countless other 60s bands whose live shows I missed.

My concert-going routine didn't pick up until the 70s, where bands like Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and others held prominent places in my musical journey. Sadly, I missed some crucial performances in the past due to unfortunate circumstances or personal choices. For instance, I had tickets to see Led Zeppelin in Buffalo NY in 1977, but the tour was cancelled due to the death of Robert Plant's son. Similarly, I had tickets to see them in DC in 1980, but the death of John Bonham led to the end of the band's live performances.

Favorite Voice - Chris Cornell

Another significant regret relates to the live performances of Chris Cornell with his bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. It wasn't until after his bandmate, Brett Scallions of Fuel, that I truly appreciated the vocal talent of Chris Cornell. The first time I listened to Tony Iommi's "Black Hole Sun" from Soundgarden, I didn't pay much attention. However, it was the track "Stone" from Audioslave that transformed my perception of Chris Cornell's singing style, showcasing his raw emotion and depth.

Unseen Legends and Highly Regretted Misses

There are several legendary bands that I have missed out on, largely due to geographical and logistical reasons. I live in Australia, a continent with limited access to international touring artists. Even so, several influential bands have toured Australia, but for various reasons, I missed their performances. For example, the Irish folk group Altan, while a great promoter of Irish folk music, performed in Australia, but I was overseas at the time.

Another case in point is the Black Crowes, who I consider to be one of the great rock and blues groups. Although the band's internal conflicts might have affected their public image, the quality of their music remains unchallenged. Sadly, this band also toured Australia, but again, circumstances led to a missed opportunity for me.

Additional Missed Performances

There are many more bands that I have always regret missing, including:

These artists are just a starting point for a long list of bands that many music enthusiasts long to see in live performances.

Final Thoughts

The music world is vast, and it's inevitable to miss out on legendary live concerts. However, the memories and experiences we receive from the ones we do attend remain priceless. If you are a lifelong rock fan like me, it's essential to reflect on these missed opportunities and ensure that you make every effort to see as many live performances as possible.