For me, it has to be Liza Minelli at the Winter Garden back in the 70s. She was electrifying and I'd never seen anything like it. The Kander/Ebb songs, her amazing dancing, her comic timing all came together in one of the most amazing live performance I've ever seen.
Your Most Favorite Live Performance
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | May 9, 2021 7:03 AM |
David Byrne (twice) a few years ago for his American Utopia show. His voice was fantastic and the artistry was just simple and beautiful. The musicians were impeccable. Also LCD Soundsystem a few years ago, insanely tight band, you can tell James Murphy is a perfectionist.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | May 7, 2021 7:35 PM |
Ooops, one more amazing performance I should have added.... David Bowie at Area 1 festival about 20 years ago. His voice was absolutely perfect, I've never seen a finer singer.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | May 7, 2021 7:37 PM |
It was at the Hollywood Palladium I think. In the 80s. Diana Ross is performing on film and then, as she descends the stairs, she walks out live. The place went WILD.
Here’s a Caesars Palace version of what I saw in LA. It was pretty spectacular. (Live performance starts at 3:30”)
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | May 7, 2021 7:47 PM |
I've seen four performers who come on stage, deliver, and the audience goes wild -- no fancy lights, fireworks, just talent. Minnelli, Pavarotti, Domingo, and Lane.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | May 7, 2021 8:00 PM |
Robin Williams before Mork and subsequent fame at the LA Improv. He came on and did 15 minutes. He was SO funny! He didn't do jokes, just impersonations and interacting with the crowd. Roared with laughter the whole time. Knew he'd be big.
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | May 7, 2021 8:05 PM |
In the closing scene of 1949's "In The Good Old Summertime" MGM musical film, in between Van Johnson and mom Judy Garland holding her hands. Well, "live" as far as when she was filing the scene, and later whenever I've watched it on TV!
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | May 8, 2021 5:10 AM |
Queen, in the 80’s
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | May 8, 2021 6:02 AM |
A tie between the first time I saw Patti Smith at the ABC in Glasgow, and Kate Bush at Hammersmith Apollo. They were both astonishing.
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | May 8, 2021 7:24 AM |
No one has come close to Ella and Count Basie. I saw them and even Liza's performance couldn't match it.
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | May 8, 2021 11:13 AM |
Janet Jackson at the Superbowl. Seeing that pierced areola on the Jumbotron changed my life, and not in a good way.
| by Anonymous | reply 10 | May 8, 2021 12:17 PM |
Rex Harison in My Fair Lzdy
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | May 9, 2021 6:22 AM |
Beethovan conducting his Ninth sympony, live.
| by Anonymous | reply 12 | May 9, 2021 6:25 AM |
When he was just about deaf..
| by Anonymous | reply 13 | May 9, 2021 6:26 AM |
Jlo tonight on Vax LIVE!!!!
Oh wait.
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | May 9, 2021 7:03 AM |