15 of the Most Memorable Live Concerts Ever

While recorded music has made the overall experience even more memorable and wholesome, we believe that nothing competes with a good session of some rocking live music. It is through these live concerts that we have had some of the most memorable and melodious memories from music.

Here GSDiamonds collected 15 of the most memorable live performances ever, and delve deep into what makes these concerts truly amazing.

James Brown at Boston Garden

Imagine being James Brown, walking with your black suit and hair tied in a ravishing pompadour to the boisterous crowd of 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Boston was burning under the protests, and local authorities started bracing for riots similar to those of the Boston Tea Party.

However, April fifth marked a concert for James Brown and his band at Boston Garden. During that moment in time, Brown was like a canoe calmly sailing through the rough tides of the audience. His screams rattled the rafters and his palpable command over the audience made everyone a fan.

Elvis’s Comeback Special

Elvis was never found wanting; he was hardly ever nervous. But, as recalled by drummer D.J. Fontana, he was nervous during that fateful night on NBC that re-launched his career. The crowd went home pleased and millions of viewers enjoyed the melodies at home.

Johnny Cash at Saint Quentin’s Prison

It was on February 24, 1969 that Johnny Cash formed an eclectic bond with the inmates at Saint Quentin Prison. Cash, who had always fostered a connection for prisoners, realized the gravity of what was at stake, and delivered a performance that every one of the 2,000 inmates present in the arena would remember for the time to come. The sight of 2,000 death row inmates hollering in the arena might have been a bit too much for any other performer, but Cash let his natural performance flow by as he captured the arena for himself.

Led Zeppelin World Tour

Before the mountains of cocaine, private planes, and allegations of black magic could tarnish their image, Led Zeppelin performed the awesome World Tour of 1968-69. They hit America in late December, and fascinated everyone with the four-hour performance at the Boston Tea Party. The environment was eccentric, and the audience just wouldn’t go home.

Black Sabbath’s Tour of America

Black Sabbath entered America with Ozzy Osbourne saying he believed in Satanism. Just when the audience couldn’t tell what to make of these rookies, they did an enthralling live performance at New York’s Filmore East, and won everyone over.

Elton John at the Troubadour

Elton John entered Los Angeles’ Troubadour as a little known musician with thick glasses. He left the six-day residency as the latest sensation, and the poster boy of music in the era. The performance won over many, and made a mark for him as one of the best in business.

B.B. King at Cook County Jail

When B.B. King entered the stage at Cook County Jail, he was booed by inmates wanting a better performer. He left having made the inmates cry, sing along with him, and dance to the wonderful melody of his songs. B.B. King mentions that he connected with the inmates on a whole new level.

Bob Marley at Lyceum Theatre London

Bob Marley didn’t perform as a mere mortal at the Lyceum Theatre in London. He performed as someone propitiating the Gods through the means of melody and music. The arena was packed, and Marley tingled quite a few spines with the opening of "No Woman, No Cry."

The Wall by Pink Floyd

Pushing the limits of concert technology Pink Floyd created a wall on the stage of his concerts immediately following the release of his most ambitious album, The Wall. The band would play music, hidden behind a wall, waiting for it to tumble down near the end of the concert. The crowd would just love the mini tumble.

Madonna in Blond Ambition Tour

Madonna faced a lot of criticism after she mixed religious and sexual imagery in the video for "Like a Prayer." However, Madonna wanted more of it, and decided to infuse the idea within her next Blond Ambition Tour. She had a set made by German expressionist Fritz Lang, which allowed her to create her own amalgamation of religious and sexual fantasies on stage.

Pearl Jam American Tour

Pearl Jam was about to disband during the mid-nineties after some tensions within the band. They soon entered America with a rookie drummer and took everyone by storm with their latest album, which was aptly named Yield. Everyone in the crowd was blown away by their live performances, and Eddie Vedder even told the crowd that they were making over for lost time.

Brian Wilson at the Royal Festive Hall

Smile was one of Brian Wilson’s most controversial albums, which he even avoided talking about. But, in 2002, Wilson walked on stage and delivered his symphony for God. The music was revolutionary and Wilson himself was unstoppable. Not only did Wilson re-create his amazing album, but he rekindled a lot of flames through his voice.

Daft Punk Alive Tour

Daft Punk revolutionized electronic performances in Coachella in 2006, where they unveiled a dazzling spectacle that would change EDM for the time to come. The band’s leading men stood atop an aluminum pyramid decorated with LED lights. The performance was powerful and out of this world.

Jay Z and Kanye West Watch The Throne Tour

Jay Z’s and Kanye West’s tour together was just the culmination of superb concert technology and brilliant deliverance. “I’m sorry if this is your first concert,” Kanye West mentioned while speaking to the audience in the concert. “It’s all downhill from here.”

Queen at Live Aid

Overpowering perhaps every other live performance is Queen with the most enthusiastic front man you’d ever see; Freddy Mercury. On July 13, 1985 Queen created a masterstroke through their Live Aid performance. Freddy Mercury jumped up in his white vest and ethereal style. The stage was lit, and Mercury started with "Bohemian Rhapsody" to set the crowd on fire.