BB King

Saw this concert only because my husband is a huge fan. I'm not really into blues. He was good though, when he played. He kept stopping to tell stories. He had a whole brass brand that was really loud. This strangely enough was one of the loudest concerts I've ever been to. It could have been where I was sitting, way up in the highest level. Of course the man can play the guitar, oh yeah.

Venue: Jubilee Auditorium
When: 2007 sometime

Jimmy Whiffen

This wasn't exactly a concert per se but he's such an amazing solo artist that I had to add him. I've seen him three 3 times now and intend on seeing him again when he comes back to Edmonton. He plays that guitar as good or better than any of the guitar legends throughout history. An extra added touch is when he plays the harmonica along with it. He also has a great voice and his song choices are awesome. They're ones everyone knows where we can all sing along. And when he sings a newfie song, the place goes wild. If you'd like an enjoyable night out, I highly highly recommend going to see him at whatever bar he happens to be playing at. His schedule can be found at: http://jimmywhiffen.com

Venue: Sherlock Homes Pub West Edmonton Mall
When: Nov 2008

Trooper

They have really good songs. Enjoyed singing along to them. The crowd was rowdy and annoying. They kept reaching up for the lead singer to try and touch him. The lead singer kept extending his scarf and seemed to be into them pawing him. It's like he and half the audience thought he was all that when he so wasn't. He was an average looking guy who was a good musician and that's it.

Venue: Red's Edmonton
When: about 1999

Kim Mitchell

Saw this show a long time ago. The venue was small and reminded me more of a gymnasium with a small stage. The place was full of long haired rocker types (my kind of people). Alot of people were toking up outside. There wasn't that much of an audience. It was a rather short show. He played all his hits. That's all i remember.

Venue: some hole-in-the-wall place in Victoria.
When: 1994

Shania Twain w/Leahy

At the time I was a huge Leahy fan and an even bigger Shania Twain fan. My seats were way up high so I didn't have the best view. Leahy did all their steps and played their fiddles in a rockin way. It seemed like they only played a few songs. Shania Twain came out in a red bodysuit thing, I think and she was carried out on a portable bed thing like on Aladdin. The stage was extended outward like a catwalk and she came out alot on that. Everyone was reaching out trying to touch her. At some point she invited a little kid to come on stage and sing a song with her. That's all I remember. I'm not a fan anymore.

Venue: Rexall Place, Edmonton
When: 1997 or 1998

Def Leppard

Pretty subdued concert for ex-80's rockers. The atmosphere was rather mellow. They didn't have the same sort of energy as one would see on their music videos. Let's get Rocked and Pour Some Sugar on me (which they played last) were the two more high powered songs. They were still really good though.

Venue: Rexall Place
When: 2007

Alice Cooper and the Scorpions

I was disappointed as to how Junkhouse cancelled out as the 3rd band that was supposed to play. I was really into them at the time. But i've always like Alice Cooper. He put on a good show, playing all his hits. He had some sort of background of a wall with graffiti on it or something. And there were dancers so it was all theatrical-like. As for the Scorpions, the only song I knew was Rock you like a Hurricane. The rest of the songs were like noise to my ears. After that one, I decided to only go to concerts when I was familiar with at least most of the songs.

Venue: Rexall Place Edmonton
When: about 2000

The Beachboys w/Jefferson Airplane, no Starship, no Airplane

Saw these groups outdoors in a big field on a hot summer's day. The beach boys were fun but at the time I was a metal head so they didn't seem that cool to see. I still enjoyed watching them and listening to their music. For old guys they could still rock. Jefferson Airplane was a surprise to see. I remember seeing my parent's old Jefferson Airplane album covers which were the weirdest things i've ever seen. I'm not familiar with their songs except for White Rabbit which i think they played. The only thing about them I remember is that there was a tall, slender woman with long dark hair who was one of the main singers. I know that Grace Slick is the female vocalist of that group, but the woman I saw looked much too young to be her. Back then, Grace would have been at least in her 40's but the woman on stage looked like maybe 30 at the most. So I was confused. However, it was still neat to say that i saw them when they're so famous.

Venue: some park in Victoria
When: about 1992

Tom Cochrane

First time I saw him was outdoors a long time ago. The second time was at a New Years Eve party. It was really crowded there. We didn't see him that well. He played until about 11:30pm then rang in the new year with all of us. He's a good rocker, but i'm not really a fan anymore.

Venue: Western Speedway Colwood (1st time), Red's Edmonton (2nd time)
When: 1993 (1st time), 2006 (2nd time)

Crash Vegas

I had never heard of them before until I went to their concert. My date (who later on became my husband), took me to see them because he was a fan. I made the mistake of drinking a paralyzer after taking a nasal decongestant so i wasn't quite all there. The only thing i remember about this concert was that there was no stage, so they performed on the floor with all the patrons and the lead singer woman was in bare feet.

Venue: somewhere in Victoria, the former Forge I think
When: 1993

Nazareth

Waited a really long time for them to come out and perform. Once they finally did, they played for about an hour and a half. It was a long time ago when I saw this one. They were older guys. They played all their hits and there was a bagpiper.

Venue: The Forge, Victoria
When: 1992

L.A. Guns

Opened for ACDC so technically this was the very first band i'd seen. The crowd didn't seem that into them. I think only part of the crowd knew who they were. I was a big fan. I especially liked the song Electric Gypsy. You may remember the video. The band is on harleys and one of them has an Alf doll on the handlebars. They also have a really good song called, "Jane."

Venue: Pacific Coliseum Vancouver
When: 1991

The Juno Awards

When it comes to the Junos, it wasn't the music that made this event memorable, it was the host Alannis Morisette's nude bodysuit with the fake pubes and nipples attached. It was too weird. Also I thought the funny little clips they had on the overhead tv were good. They were just little intros of Alannis doing funny things. She was an entertaining host. Other than that, the music was entertaining too. There were a bunch of people there, so it was like being at a whole bunch of concerts in one. There was Sam Roberts (who won a bunch of awards), Nickelback (who also won a bunch of awards), Billy Talent (which screamed during the whole performance), Avril Levigne, Sarah Mclaughlin, Bare Naked Ladies, Nelly Furtado (who had a bunch of volunteers come onto the stage carrying signs), Michael Buble, Finger Eleven (which performed on a stage completely lit up by little christmas lights). Plus Alannis sang one of her songs at the end and there were a bunch of other performers that I don't remember.

Venue: Rexall Place
When: April 4, 2004

Barney Bentall

I feel bad that this concert didn't go so well for Barney. He gave a great performance but unfortunately the audience ruined it. One girl was so drunk that she collapsed onto the floor and he stopped in mid-song to see if someone could help her. There were a bunch of rowdies there too who seemed to be more interested in getting drunk than enjoying the show. I still enjoyed it anyway because i really like his stuff and I think he rocks. Plus he is a total sweetheart. I got to meet him afterwards and get his autograph when he came out. Some people gave him hugs, which he definitely needed after dealing with a crowd like that. I wonder if he's been back to Edmonton since.

Venue: Red's before it became Ed's
When: about 1998

The Odds

One of my favorite concerts. I think it was because i was a huge fan at the time when I saw them which seems to make a difference for me. Plus I liked how they were dressed. They were in colourful suits looking like they were right out of the 60's. I love nostalgia. They played their hits like Eat my Brain and Heterosexual man. I was right at the front having a great time.

Venue: Red's before it became Ed's
When: about '96 or '97

Jerry Lee Lewis

Cagey old guy. He can still pound on the piano keys like no one else. He played all his old hits. He didn't look like the Jerry Lee we've seen on tv or in pictures. He was dressed in a suit and looked like an average little old man. It was a short concert but a treat to see the legend play that piano. After awhile I guess he got tired of playing because he got up, turned around, sat on the piano keys and left the stage.

Venue: Red's before it became Ed's
When: about '96 or '97

The Proclaimers

Fun time especially when they played 500 miles. Because it was at a bar, my friend and I were able to go right to the front and see them. We danced and sang along. They played a handful of songs that I wasn't familiar with but that is okay, they were still as good as the ones that I knew from their 'Sunshine on leigh' album.

Venue: Cowboys Edmonton
When: sometime in 2004 or 2005

Elton John

This was the best concert I've ever seen. Why? It was Elton John! A total legend right in front of my eyes. I was apprehensive about getting tickets in the first place because all they had left was behind stage. I thought that meant there would be a big black curtain up keeping us from seeing anything. I didn't want to pay over $100 to just 'hear' Elton. I was desperate so I bought the tickets anyway. Good thing I did, because it turned out to be an open stage so not only did we see Elton clearly but he was closer than if we had seats on the opposite end of the venue. The only drawback to being behind stage, is that we didn't see all the pretty lights projected on the stage too well. That was okay.
He sang a whole bunch of hits and a few songs I wasn't familiar with, but loved those too. There was alot of love in the place. Love from the fans onto him and love right back at all of us from him. He seemed to be appreciative of performing in Canada. It seemed like everyone had a good time.

Venue: Rexall Place, Edmonton
When: I think it was the summer of 2007

Brian Adams

Fortunately when I saw him it was in the 90's so he played all his older hits instead of all that newer stuff that i'm not big on. He started on the stage opposite from where me and my friends were sitting but half way through the show he appeared on a smaller stage right in front of us. That was a treat. So was seeing him play the piano on 'Everything I do I do it for you.' The sound was excellent and he had alot of energy. It was a very good concert.

Venue: Pacific Coliseum Vancouver
When: sometime in '94

Meatloaf

Was surprised to have gotten tickets for this one. Managed to get ones way in the back at the opposite end of the stage. Don't remember much about this concert since it was awhile ago. All I remember was that it was a family affair. Meatloaf's wife sang alongside him and their daughter sang back up. I think Meatloaf played the piano alot of the time which was really nice. The sound quality was excellent. Although my sister in law and I were way far away, we still had a great time.

Venue: Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver
When: 1994

John Cougar Mellencamp

I had terrible seats for this one. I was at the opposite end of the stage, way up high. John was mainly a dot. I could hear him clearly of course. The sound quality was good. He sang all his hits. I've always been a big fan so of course I had to get tickets. I didn't care where I sat as long as I was there. That's all I remember about this concert.

Venue: Pacific Coliseum
When: summer of '94

Gino Vanelli

Okay, so when you think Gino Vanelli you probably think, "Black Cars," right? Well there's much more to him than that. I wanted to hear him sing his newer hit, "It's only love." He also sang some other song that was amazing but I don't recall what it's called. He also sang a bunch of other songs that have had airplay but didn't know it was him who sang it. He has a great vocal range and lots of stage personality. I really enjoyed his show as did my friend who wasn't even familiar with him beforehand.
Afterwards I got to meet him. He's soooo nice. He signed my stuffed tiger that I won at one of the carnival games. He also told me what album that song was that I thought was amazing but of course I forget what one he said. I am so annoyed that I didn't bring my camera with me that night.

Venue: Telus Stage, Capital Ex, Edmonton
When: July 2007

Glass Tiger

Fun time had by all. The band that opened for them was a coverband (don't remember the name) but they played a bunch of favorite classic hits. When they played We're not Going to Take it by Twisted Sister, everyone in the place was singing along. It was awesome. Once Glass Tiger came out it was a hoot to see them. I'd been a fan since about '86.
The lead singer looked good in his leather grand prix type jacket. Unfortunately he kept stopping during a few songs and swore a bunch at how bad the sound was. I didn't notice the poor sound quality, but I wasn't the one on stage. Who are they not paying back there? It was still rockin' anyway especially when they got to, "Don't Forget Me." All those who knew that song was really into that.
Afterwards they had a cd signing. I'm still kicking myself for not getting a cd. I was still able to see them up close and personal while I stood in line with a friend who did buy a cd. Anyway, real good time.

Venue: Red's before it became Ed's, Edmonton
When: sometime in 2004 or 2005.

ACDC

The first time I saw this band was when I was 18. It was my first concert. They were my very favorite band and fought with my parents to get to see them (they were very protective). What an incredible experience that was. It was their Razor's edge tour. So they sang hits such as Thunderstruck and Money talks (in which the money with Angus' head dropped from the ceiling. I didn't get any though since I didn't have floor seats).
They also sang older hits like Whole Lotta Rosie in which a giant inflatable woman appeared on the stage. It was awesome to see Angus clearly since he mainly stayed on the side of the stage where our seats were. I don't know how he'd keep moving his head up and down so quickly without passing out. It was extra memorable getting a good view of my favorite guitarist. Other than that, the only other thing I remember was some guy in the section above me spitting down on my head. But who cares? ACDC was playing right in front of me!

The second time I saw them was a few years ago when I was no longer a fan. My husband bought me tickets for my birthday thinking I still was so we went to see them. They played maybe one song from the Razor's Edge album and a few classics, but mainly they were touring to promote their newest album which I didn't like. All I really remember was that I looked down from the 200's section into a pit of thousands of people wearing light up devil horns. It was a bizarre sight.

Venue: Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver (1st time), Rexall Place Edmonton (2nd time)
When: summer of '91 (1st time), March 2003 I think (2nd time)

Great Big Sea

After long last I finally got to see my favorite band. I love those rockin' Newfies. They came to Capital Ex on a day that just happened to be my night off work. It was meant to be! My husband and I had a blast. In fact, by the looks of it, the whole crowd had a blast. Almost everyone broke out in jigs and reels and sang along (especially to Merrimac and Lukey). They were so much fun, and with that native drum they used, that added just the right beat and that look of pure Canadiana. One of my favorite concerts overall. What a great time! Definitely see this band if you get a chance!

Venue: Capital Ex - Northlands Park
When: July 2008

Bob Dylan

Well, for old guys they really rocked the house. Bob played a number of his hits but you had to listen closely to the lyrics or you didn't recognize any of the songs. I guess after decades of singing the same songs the same way, he decided it was time to mix it up a little and sing things in a unique way. It was still very enjoyable though. He's a top notch musician and a legend. At first I couldn't figure out which one Bob was. After all, my seat was way up in the 200's. I thought he was one of the guitarists, but then my husband advised he was the one on the keyboards in the light coloured hat. From the distance we were at all the hats looked the same. And to me the guy on the keyboards looked like Cain from Poltergeist II. Next time I really need to be wearing my glasses.
So for the most part Bob stayed behind the keyboard but once he stepped out and rocked it with the guitar, the place went wild. It was too bad the concert ended when it did. I really wanted to hear The Hurricane but oh well. They played for two hours but seemed more like just over an hour. It was one of the quieter concerts I've been to at this venue, which was nice to not hear buzzing in my ears afterwards. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening.

Venue: Rexall Place Edmonton
Date: October 29, 2008