Live music just isn’t what it used to be. Things were simply back in the 1970s. Productions weren’t as big and showy as they are today. And some performances from that era are criminally underrated in the world of rock and roll. Let’s take a walk down memory lane with these five underrated live rock performances from the 1970s!
1. The Who in Leeds, England (1970)
The Who knew how to put on an exciting set. So exciting, in fact, that a few tragedies have struck here and there during their heyday. By the time they pulled up to the University of Leeds Refectory in England on February 14, 1970, they were already hailed as one of these greatest live acts of the time. Their subsequent live album Live At Leeds, which featured recordings from that particular performance, became an overwhelmingly successful hit.
The Who kicked off the set with “Heaven And Hell”. The meat of the show featured “Young Man Blues”, “Chrismas”, and more. They also played “Pinball Wizard” and a total of 32 songs in all. They closed with “Magic Bus”, and the rest is history.
2. Allman Brothers in New York City, NY (1971)
Allman Brothers Band performed two sets at Fillmore East in New York. One kicked off on May 12, 1971, and the second kicked off the next day. That latter show was featured on their live album At Fillmore East.
It was a simple set that included the songs “Statesboro Blues”, “One Way Out”, “Stormy Monday”, “Hot ‘Lanta”, and “Whipping Post”. They also performed “Mountain Jam”. In conclusion, they played “Drunken Hearted Boy” with Elvin Bishop. The album has since become legendary and was even included in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.
3. The Rolling Stones in New York City, NY (1972)
The Rolling Stones are known for putting on some killer shows. But they were a whole ‘nother beast in the 1970s. Their set at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 26, 1972 is hailed as one of their very best. Although, it is still quite underrated compared to their most costly productions in later years.
This incredible set started with “Brown Sugar”. The 16-song set included a ton of hits, including “Gimmie Shelter”, “Sweet Virginia”, and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”. In conclusion, the set ended with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”. It was Mick Jagger’s birthday, so the show ended with confetti, balloons, and a wild pie/cake fight between the band and the audience.
4. The Grateful Dead in Veneta, Oregon (1972)
This is one of the most underrated and best live performances from the 1970s, and it was even featured in a documentary. The Grateful Dead put on over 2,300 shows during their heyday. However, we’d say that their set at Old Renaissance Faire Grounds in Veneta, Oregon on August 27, 1972 deserves more love. The live show was featured in the documentary Sunshine Daydream.
Split into three sets, the concert kicked off with “Promised Land” and “Sugaree”. It ended with 19 songs, and The Grateful Dead closed it out with “Casey Jones”. Any Deadhead alive at that time knows about this concert or was present, and that documentary is essential viewing for new fans.
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5. Led Zeppelin in London, England (1975)
Would this even be a list of underrated live rock performances from the 1970s without mentioning Led Zeppelin? Led Zeppelin kicked off this legendary show at Earls Court Arena in London, England on May 25, 1975. Many fans consider this particular concert to be the best Led Zeppelin ever put on. In fact, the late John Bonham said that “they were the best shows that we [Led Zeppelin] ever put on in England.”
The set began with “Rock And Roll” and ended with “Stairway To Heaven”. The encores were particularly great, too. Bonham, Dixon, Plant, Jones, and Plant performed “Whole Lotta Love”. Bonham, Jones, and Page ended the concert for good with “Communication Breakdown”.
Photo by Ian Dickson/Redferns
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