The FIRST series are catch-all compilations with a very wide berth for inclusion.
THE BEATLES usually pop up because they were responsible for so many firsts in rock & roll, but their presence here is secondary. Volume 4 starts off with a track written & first recorded by CARL PERKINS that most people are better acquainted with as a track on a BEATLES album. (Carl was actually in the studio when The Fab Four laid down their version). LARRY WILLIAMS also benefitted greatly from having his song included on an LP by Liverpool’s favorite sons.
THE SHADOWS are more of the focus here, as their first recording (as THE DRIFTERS) makes an appearance alongside the first release by Marvin, Welch & Farrar after the band broke up, & (former-Shadows) Jet Harris & Tony Meehan’s Diamonds--which was JIMMY PAGE’s first session gig.
Demos are prime possibilities for the FIRST series. Included is a songwriter’s (BOB KELLY’s) demo for GENE VINCENT, & Gene’s own home demo for another song he had some success with: Lotta Lovin’. THE RAMONES’ demo for Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World brings it all home—but not before FUGAZI, PAUL SIMON & TAYLOR SWIFT supply more of the same.
First singles or first recordings by acts who took a while to find a national audience are also convenient contenders. There are first incarnations of THE MANHATTANS, THE DEAD BOYS, and the future JACKIE DeSHANNON recording as Sherry Lee. FIRST BANDS are fair game, and JEFF LYNNE’s first recording outfit THE MOVE are represented, as are THIRTY DAYS OUT which I dug down deep in my trivia sack for... the band provided THE RAMONES' tour-manager Monte A. Melnick's first touring experience.
GREGG ALLMAN performs Melissa on Late Night With David Letterman & shares that it was the first song that he wrote and kept. And there’s a dash of ZAPPA in the broth—Baby Ray & The Ferns was one of his earliest recording combos (although there is some dispute).
Some of my selections may have seen the light of day in JONDER’s excellent AS HEARD HERE FIRST series:
https://jonderblog.blogspot.com/2025/04/as-heard-here-first-original-versions.html
There’s a few of those here—tracks rock bands took and ran with that originated with Bullmoose Jackson, Tiny Bradshaw, Lloyd Brown, & Roy Milton.
That leaves only the cover photo—which was taken in Edinburgh—it's the FIRST photo of men drinking!
I urge you to check anywhere in the world for firsts, first, but be sure to check with JOKONKY, last!
Downloaders are asked to share their proudest ROCK & ROLL FIRST. That might be the first album you bought, the first band you saw., or the song that was playing when you first had sex.
ReplyDeleteI’ll go… uh, first. The FIRST rock band I saw live was LED ZEPPELIN.
Like a lot of record collectors, I’m not naturally social, so I used that question as a conversation starter for years, until someone said: “No wonder you asked. You’re almost always going to win.”
I honestly had never viewed it as a competition—I just saw it as something people were eager to talk about at length whether the first group they saw live was respected or reviled—and I was always interested in the story behind it. It often involved sneaking out of the house, for instance. So I encourage readers to (at least) let fly with who they saw and why!
Here’s the link for FIRST VOL. 4:
https://pixeldrain.com/u/Hk4HVkDX
Proudest first: a themed day at the local school, I don't know much about it anymore, the theme was black/white and we did our first (unanouncent) gig there. followed by street performances where we were send away, and then the first real gig at the local youthcentre. Then we wanted some air time and yes, within a few weeks the Belgian Flemish radio played us. What more can you want? We wanted to be on vinyl, and that was too easy. (D.I.Y) We gigged a few years and then we broke up.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stinky
"What more can you want" indeed! My youthful dreams of being in a band were unfulfilled due to geographic isolation and lack of musical ability.
DeleteStinky, no worries about duplicating any "firsts" from my series. There's no overlap. I do remember the first time I heard "Go Insane" -- the Doors' first and best record. It was all downhill from there...
Great story, Richard! What instrument do you play? Do you remember the first song you learned on it?
DeleteI used to do throat, for I could not sing and an instrument, that would never ever work. Sometimes I used my boots to stamp a rhythm. (when the stage was fit) I remember on one occasion I stepped so hard, I went through the floor with a heel
DeleteThis is a little tricky thanks to my parents--appreciate them taking me to hear music--but the first band I saw on my own was The Greek Fountains at LSU's Greek Theater when I was 7 or so...BTW, the Fountains included Danny Cohen (who babysat me) who would go on to become Casey Kelly and write a lot of hits, Duke Bardwell who among many cool things played bass for Elvis, and Cyril Vetter who wrote "Double Shot of My Baby's Love." Not bad for a local garage band...
ReplyDeleteMy parents were protective, and my mom did NOT want her kids to go to concerts. She believed that the big arena rock shows attracted "perverts". One of the shows I unsuccessfully lobbied to attend was The Who's appearance in Milwaukee in 1982. "Tim the Rock & Roll Animal" (a radio DJ) had SUCCESSFULLY lobbied to bring the band to MKE by sitting on a ledge outside the radio station (which was located in one of the city's tallest buildings) for two weeks!
Deletehttps://www.wuwm.com/regional/2019-09-06/the-ledge-sit-that-brought-the-who-to-milwaukee-in-1982
I started a punk fanzine that year, and my parents would drive me to the Starship (one of Milwaukee's first punk clubs) -- where I was underage and actually DID meet some perverts, but that's parenting logic for you.
My first punk show was chaperoned by James Chance's father (long story). He took me to the Starship to see his other son (James' brother David Siegfried), who was the frontman for a rock & soul cover band called David & The Happenings (who still perform in the Chicago area!) The opening band was called the VU's. They later relocated from Milwaukee to Germany. I remember the VU's did a Wire cover ("On Returning"). It was indeed "an evening of fun in the metropolis of (my) dreams".
I'm here for the long story. I saw Chance one time in NY and was too intimidated--not my usual MO--because he seemed just way too cool, lol. The same night I had no problem approaching Jim Carroll. Who knows.
DeleteThat IS a lot of notoriety for a garage band, Eric. Thanks for sharing your story. (I've actually been to LSU!)
DeleteThe first concert I ever went to was in 1971 at the Oval in Kensington, London. It was an all day festival that was headlined by The Who, who were fantastic. Backing them up were amongst others Atomic Rooster and The Faces, a brilliant day that has stuck with me all these years later
ReplyDeleteI was also at that concert. I realized that the Who were playing to a pre-recorded backing track. At the time that upset me, later I realized that was the only way to do it. My girlfriend from America was with me, we got married later that year and will celebrate 54 years next month.
DeleteThe first record I ever owned was the 45 of "Baby Blue" b/w "Flying" by Badfinger. I stole it fair and square from my older sister Marilyn. Hoping the Statute of Limitations has past.
ReplyDeleteI think you're safe, Dr. Zhivago Feelgood. Thank you. I still have records that I lifted from my sister. Stolen vinyl has the warmest crackle.
DeleteI've been trying hard but even if my life depended on it, I can't recall the first pop/rock concert I attended, but it might have been an event in Hilversum with various bands, incl. Rob Hoeke, in the late 60s... One first I do recall vividly was my first colored vinyl album, I didn't even know about the existence of such lps at the time.
ReplyDeleteIt was the Six Two Five bootleg of Chuck Berry with Rocking Horse concert, excellent sound quality & pressed on purple vinyl!
Another first (& probably last!) was the concert I attended here in Bangkok of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra at Mah Boon Krong in 1997, which later was released on cassette & CD as "Ska Reggae Party Live at MBK Hall"...
COLORED vinyl IS great, Koen! I remember my family bought a house, and in the attic were a few LPs that were left behind, One was FAIRY TALES FOR ADULTS YOU VOULDN'T BELIEVE by a ventriloquist dummy named VELVEL on see through gold vinyl. That it was intended for adults was ALMOST as exciting to a 9 year old as the colored vinyl!
Deletehttps://www.discogs.com/release/8399610-Rickie-Laynes-Velvel-Fairy-Tales-For-Adults-You-Vouldnt-Believe
https://archive.org/details/lp_fairy-tales-for-adults-you-wouldnt-beli_velvel
DeleteI want to thank you folks for a very enjoyable blog. I had tickets for the beach boys, they cancelled. I had tickets for doobie brothers on the black water tour, they cancelled. I am happy to say that my first concert was Bob Marley, and since I was so excited they were coming I went and bought 7 tickets...3 to my sister for my birthday, 1 for my date and 2 for my brother and his date. On the night of the show I took everyone for Chinese food, paid for parking and bought a kaya T-shirt. That night in Seattle I spent $100.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's maybe the best $100 ever spent Bucephalus!
DeleteFor comparison, let me tell you about the time I took some folks to see the MADONNA/tWARREN BEATTY movie DICK TRACY when it came out--MY TREAT.
We had all done something else that ended early, and while I wasn't rolling in the dough or anything, the movie was well-hyped and it worked on me.
We get to the ticket window on opening day, and your "ticket" is printed on a promo t-shirt that read: "Admit One", and they cost $25 each. I was expecting it to cost around $30 total and it was $100! And if you've never seen the movie before, you know it wasn't evenn worth seeing, much less parting with a "C" note to see.
My first concert was a real eye opener as a couple of unknown bands in the small club set the mood in First Ave side club the 7th St. Entry set the mood then BIG BLACK began with a full BRICK OF FIREWORKS Steve Albini lit off on stage (appealing to my interest right away at the time for us all agers having fireworks) then totally shredded giving me a feeling I was in some underground factory hearing the inner machinery workings in the city where this was the normal. First First Ave show in mainroom was Red Hot Chili Peppers Freaky Stylee tour and I had used a fake ID from my older sister a regular at the club with Prince shows, etc. (first bar show) had my old red & black lumberjack thick flannel and on a school night (I had just been given my older brother's car for my McDonald's job) and got a speeding ticket on the way home! I guess when that huge black guy that was standing next to me shoved me into the pit (a first) for my improve dancing such that Anthony saw me as green behind the ears and catered directly to me as I tore it up slam dancing! Yee HAH every show after that like Fishbone that I had first saw on their very cool video played in between sets at the Ave which was also new to me I slam danced and actually felt like I was directing each show such that every single time people said after it was the best show they had ever saw....that was my calling it seemed. Other firsts related to music: First Album: Christmas present of Emotional Rescue by the Stones that I had asked for--next season it was Queen - The Game, First Album bought with my own money: AC/DC Back In Black, First CD bought: Roy Orbison - Black & White double hits CD from TV ad after seeing 'Blue Velvet' with 'In Dreams' song. First big concert with some McDonald's friends was KISS/WASP/IRON MAIDEN tour at the Met Center which was after going to all ages shows at First Ave/7th St. Entry so it paled in comparison and I only went to one more with little bro to RUSH and someone else I forget it now with extra ticket. It wasn't until the 90's when big outdoor fests began that I appreciated the bigger shows. At one of those I will admit I was having so much fun being the big log bonfire fetch boy and partying on the camping ground in Somerset that I chose to miss seeing the Ramones. I didn't have any of their music then until I finally got the first album on tape that floored me. I guess I had been overexposed on MTV and part of my whole mainstream avoidance since they had let me down on local AOR radio.
ReplyDeleteROY ORBISON is a completely respectable first, Viacom! Hats off to you!
DeleteBig Black at the 7th Street Entry is also a very cool first, and I can imagine why others would pale in comparison! My first big stadium show was RATT with Bon Jovi opening. It was before Slippery When Wet became a huge hit, so the only song Bon Jovi had on the radio and MTV was "Runaway". At that time, Ratt had several big hits, and people were yelling at Jon BJ and his band to get the fuck off the stage.
DeleteMy first concert was Three Dog Night in 1973. I believe it was the Cyan tour. Flash opened up for them. My second was Grand Funk Railroad and i got hit between the eyes with a frisbee. Ugh! From 1977 until 2004, i worked and managed record and cd stores, What a life!
ReplyDeleteI also so Three Dog Night headline
DeleteThree Dog Night performed at Borough of York Stadium in Toronto on July 18, 1971, as part of the "Beggars Banquet" festival. This concert also featured other major acts like Black Sabbath, Yes, Humble Pie, and The Grease Band. Needless to say Three Dog Night were booed of the stage. The fans where stoned on hUMBLE pIE AND bLACK sABBATH. My introduction to psychedelic drugs. Zejt
That must have been fun! Too bad they got booed off though, because they were awesome. Wrong crowd I guess😆
DeleteTwo of the biggest acts of their day, Big Dog Dave. Thank you for commenting!
Deletehttps://archive.org/details/wwww_20251119
ReplyDeletethank you Jokonky. My first concert was Delaney & Bonnie at Massey Hall. The band was delayed. We had to leave, curfew! Ha ha! But I scored big in 1971.
ReplyDeleteBeggars' Banquet Festival held at the Borough of York Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, on June 26, 1971. I was 16 years old. It happened really quickly. We approached from the back of the stadium up on the hill. Only two cops on horses for security inside at the back. Next thing I know Im running down the hill cause fans inside lifted the fence from the bottom and 50 of us crawled underneath. Bedlam as the horses charged towards. Next thing you know other fans are lifting the fence on the other side of the football field. Wild wild cheering! Steppenwolf came on last but Alice Cooper stole the show. They played the full Love It Till Death album with the hanging of Alice Cooper.
Holy crap, Anonymous. I would LOVE to see Alice Cooper hanged!
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