Famous people you saw live before they were famous?

[BernieTaupson]

[risingfarce]

I saw Extreme approximately one year before their debut lp was released. The only song that I knew by them was "Mutha". V66 (a New England version of MTV) showed the video, which only had Gary and Paul as members of the band at the time of the video shoot.

[HueyRamone]

I saw John 5 at Halford's first Two showcase, billed only as Halford, if that counts.

[DemonFilth2001]

Knew Darius Rucker in college. Hootie and the Blowfish practiced nextdoor to my band.

Drivin' n Crying. Met them before they got somewhat famous.

Saw Matchbox 20 play an acoustic show at a radio station before their first album took off.

Took guit lessons from Shane Theriot in high school. He's the musical director for Darryl Hall. Guess he's not truly "famous."

[TravisBicklesMohawk]

Marilyn Manson. Their first album has just been released and they were still slumming in the club tours.

Excellent show btw. It wasn't hard to see that their future going to be huge.

[ElectricBallroom]

Manson. It was Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids at a club on Miami Beach. Dude was pretty real and paid his dues. I guess he’s almost off the Me Too hook, now, too.

[GoodJudge]

Travis, opening a 4-band bill after their 1st or 2nd single. They've so far had 7 top 5 UK albums inc. 2x no.1s.

[GreatWhiteSnake]

Huey Lewis and Bill Gibson used to come in the deli I worked at in San Rafael CA all the time. They rehearsed in a warehouse next door. One day Huey tells me they're opening for Jefferson Starship at the Greek in Berkeley that weekend. I was like, no way I'm going to that show. Sure enough...

[Spongie]

I used to watch Godsmack playing sports bars for girlfriends and staff around Salem MA.

[VicStelly]

I banged Terri Schivo. Not a musician but still noteable

[HueyRamone]

I banged Terri Schivo. Not a musician but still noteable

Before or after her heart attack?

[Sleek]

I meannnnn...like, every hair metal band from Hollywood.

Also saw Black Crowes before their album was out.

[MetalSludgeCEO]

LAGlamRocker

$tEvil

[Turner Coates]

kd lang. - A band I worked for played two nights @ the Bottom Line in NYC with her and her band. Nobody knew who she was, and it may have been her US debut. She was described to us as, "Sort of like a young Elvis in a buckskin dress."
Since we nabbed the only dressing room, and they got there late, she changed clothes in a mop closet.
Someone in her band broke a string and they didn't have any spares, so I gave their "roadie" some strings.
Geddy Lee was in the audience for the first show.

Dwight Yoakam - He opened a show for us in Santa Cruz, Ca, with no band, just him on acoustic guitar.
Some of our band members were in a car wreck after the gig and Yoakam was the first person on the scene, pulling people from the car.
A few years later, WE opened for HIM at a New Orleans auditorium, along with Jerry Jeff Walker.

Indigo Girls - I did sound for them in a small Austin bar. They traveled in a beat up station wagon.

I knew Randy Castillo and Tim Pierce and watched them play many times in our home town. I payed Tim $200 when his band, Traveler, won a local battle of the bands.

[Grendel]

Green Day when they were supporting their Kerplunk album.

[VicStelly]

I banged Terri Schivo. Not a musician but still noteable

Before or after her heart attack?

Was a piss mopper in the hospital. Got in early before she got much attention. I liked her moaning.

[Bono Nettencourt]

Sister Hazel. They opened for Eric Johnson. The crowd mocked them by yelling "Hootie" because they were such obvious HatB clones.

[DonJuanDeMarco]

A friend of mine saw the Goo Goo Dolls in the early days before "Name" and their countless other hits. I don't think anybody saw that coming!

As for me... the only one I can think of is Alex Grossi!

It was his 90's band called The Flames and I'm pretty sure Matt Starr was in the band too.

[Traxan]

I grew up in Rhode Island and must've seen Extreme at The Living Room 20 or 30 times before they got signed. When their first album came out, me and my friends knew every song on it.

[TheSurgeon]

Saw Guns N Roses in 1986, pre Appetite (opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, pre Mother’s Milk) at UCLA. Also met the entire band (minus Axl) a few months later at the KNAC 1st Anniversary Party.

If Paul Gilbert and Scott Travis qualify as famous, I saw them numerous times in Racer X.

I saw John Lowery (aka John 5) at the previously mentioned Rob Halford show.

Saw Quiet Riot at the US Festival… before Metal Health took off.

Saw Bon Jovi open for the Scorpions in 84
Saw Great White open for Judas Priest in 84
Saw Whitesnake open for Quiet Riot in 84

Edited to add: saw Warrant open for Racer X at the Troubador

[Sleek]

Another one: Andrew Dice Clay on a free Monday at the comedy store. Had never heard of him and he killed it.

[Venus Flytrap]

David Blaine graduated from my H.S. H was a year older. I didn't know until years later when someone told me. That when I recalled him and put it together. He always dressed in black and was known as the magic kid. I remember being in English class once and he walked by the door and the teacher liked him and was all excited and asked him to come in and do a trick again that he saw earlier. So he did a trick for us. Then he left and went the bathroom or wherever he was going.

[Kid-Wicked]

nickleback. opened a few shows for them.
loverboy's first ever gig opening for kiss
lots of hockey players.
mooky blaylock opening for alice in chains

[risingfarce]

I grew up in Rhode Island and must've seen Extreme at The Living Room 20 or 30 times before they got signed. When their first album came out, me and my friends knew every song on it.

My first Extreme show (at the Living Room) was supposed to be MASS headlining ("Do You Love Me"), but someone in the band was sick and they didn't play. Extreme played an extended set.

As mentioned, I only knew "Mutha". I remember them playing "Flesh 'n' Blood", "Suzi", and "Americocaine".

[Playboyliquor59]

I miss the living room and babyhead. I lived on Atwells and would walk over all the time.
My chemical romance played my parents basement twice in NJ, I think they’ve sold over 10million records at this point. Brand new and fall out boy as well.

[TravisBicklesMohawk]

Also saw Linkin Park way before they blew up. They were opening for the Kottonmouth Kings.

Another band you could instantly tell was going to be huge.

[DemonFilth2001]

Didn't think about athletes.

My workout partner in weight training class in high school was Jeff Burris. He was a 1st round pick by the Bills. Also played for the Colts and Bengals.

[daveg]

Alanis when she was a child "mall pop" star.

Also saw her album release party before any songs had been released for Jagged Little Pill. She had been gone for a few years....probably only about 100 people there. There are concerts that you remember more than others....and this one still is fresh in my mind.

Maestro Fresh Wes before Let your backbone slide.


Tragically Hip.

[Sleek]

Alanis when she was a child "mall pop" star.

Also saw her album release party before any songs had been released for Jagged Little Pill. She had been gone for a few years....probably only about 100 people there. There are concerts that you remember more than others....and this one still is fresh in my mind.

Maestro Fresh Wes before Let your backbone slide.


Tragically Hip.

"Say you're Canadian without saying you're Canadian."

[skinni]

Alice in Chains/Extreme at a small club (Thirsty Whale)