[Free Ben Hur!]

1. Led Zeppelin - Ahmet Ertegun Benefit - London O2 (2007) Quite likely the last time these musicians will perform as Led Zeppelin. So many memorable things packed into a one week stay on London: the camaraderie at the ticket / wristband / merch queue on the day prior, the exaltation of so many people when they got their actual tickets in their hands, meeting random fans from across the world (on the tube, in the hotels, at the pre-parties), the amazing atmosphere at the gig, media everywhere, other rock stars where everywhere, and how GOOD the music was. To see my favorite band live after so many years of resigning myself to never seeing them this, for me, was the event of a lifetime.


2. Queen (with Thin Lizzy) - Calgary Jubilee (1977) My second ever concert and an amazing show from the sixth row - stage centre. Thin Lizzy were awesome as well.


3. Elton John - Houston The Summit (1980) Sir Elton before he got heavily drugged-out and the dreary 80's took its toll (anyone remember 'Little Jeanie' ach!). This was 2 maybe 2 1/2 hours of Elton John at his best with the original band plus Ray Cooper on percussion. Live Lies Bleeding to open and it included long versions of Bennie and the Jets and Rocket Man (I think).


4. The Eagles - Hotel California Tour - Calgary McMahon (1978) For all the reasons previously stated. Eagles still in the period where they cared as much about the show as the dough. Felder and Walsh on double lead guitars. A beautiful Calgary summer day for an outdoor show with a huge crowd and a very fun atmosphere.


5. Prince - Edmonton Rexall (2011) I echo the comments of the others that attended Prince shows last year. The performance and the energy in the crowd were something amazing to be a part of.


HM's:

Leonard Cohen - Edmonton Rexall (2009)
Bruce Springsteen - The Rising Tour - Edmonton Rexall (2003)
Coldplay - Twisted Logic Tour - Irvine CA - Verizon Ampitheatre (2005)
Neil Young - Edmonton Rexall (2009)
Roger Waters - DSOTM - Edmonton Rexall (2007)
Roger Waters - The Wall - Edmonton Rexall (last night)
The Who - Endless Wire Tour - Edmonton Rexall (2006)
Bruce Cockburn - Fort McMurray Keyano College (1990 something)


Worst:

Alice Cooper - Calgary McMahon - 1977? (major wind / rain storm; huge delay; speaker stack blew over during Atlanta Rythym Section's set; Alice had almost no sound due to the wind; brutal show).