Philly’s got a great music scene. Any night of the week, you’re guaranteed to find a band performing somewhere in the city. That being said, there’s been a load of great performances in Philadelphia throughout the years. Here’s a list of 10 concerts we really wish we could’ve seen.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience @ The Spectrum – April 12th, 1969
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Who doesn’t wish they were alive to see Hendrix perform? The man was and continues to be a god among guitar players, and he brought his seemingly super-human powers to the Spectrum back in ’69. Shortly thereafter, Hendrix would play Woodstock, break up The Experience and sadly pass away at the all-too-young age of 27.
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R.E.M. @ The Tower Theatre – August 28th, 1985
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Since their humble beginnings in Athens, Georgia, R.E.M. have gone on to become rock icons and heroes of the American underground music scene. In 1985, these quiet, avant-garde idealists brought their boldly-refreshing brand of alternative rock to the Tower in Upper Darby. Members in the audience surely realized they were witnessing something special.
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The Who @ The Spectrum – December 4th, 1973
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Nobody in Rock N’ Roll, nobody, put on or will ever put on a show like The Who. Audience members routinely left shows completely deaf and with shards of guitar lodged in their head. In 1973, The Who were supporting their album Quadrophenia and still featured now-deceased members Keith Moon and John Entwistle. The Spectrum surely shook that night.
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The Smashing Pumpkins @ The Electric Factory – May 1st, 2000
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For many, the Pumpkins were the quintessential 90’s alt-rock band. Their epic, double-sided Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness pumped out hits like “1979” and “Tonight, Tonight.” Their show at The Electric Factory in 2000 marked the last time the group would play in Philadelphia before breaking up later that year. |
The Jacksons Victory Tour @ JFK Stadium – September 1st, 1984
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The King of Pop is gone but not forgotten. The Jacksons Victory Tour shows at JFK in 1984 marked the last time Michael Jackson performed in Philadelphia. Attendance at the concerts routinely eclipsed 80,000.
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The Flaming Lips @ The Tower Theatre – November 25th, 1994
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Wayne Coyne and company have come a long way from their early Oklahoma beginnings. In 1994, their cult hit “She Don’t Use Jelly” was buzzing on college radio stations and blaring on the Tower stage. I wonder if Coyne rolled around in the infamous bubble.
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Pink Floyd @ The Spectrum – May 7th, 1972
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Kurt Cobain departed this Earth far too early and the opportunity to witness Nirvana was cut drastically short. In 1991, the Seattle grunge group made a rare stop in Philly and played to an audience completely unaware of the legend that would succeed this band.
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Nirvana @ J.C. Dobbs – October 1st, 1991
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Kurt Cobain departed this Earth far too early and the opportunity to witness Nirvana was cut drastically short. In 1991, the Seattle grunge group made a rare stop in Philly and played to an audience completely unaware of the legend that would succeed this band.
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Live Aid @ JFK Stadium – July 13th, 1985
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This is somewhat cheating, but Live Aid has to make this list because of all the great acts the show boasted. Live Aid, the mother of the recent Live 8, was developed to aid the terrible crises in Africa and was a two-venue venture; one gig in London and the other in Philadelphia. Notable bands at the Philly show include: Run D.M.C., The Beach Boys, Madonna, Neil Young and Led Zeppelin.
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The Beatles @ JFK Stadium – August 16th, 1966
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Seriously, does this one even require an explanation?
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