6 Rock Bands and the Stories of Their First Gigs
Even though these bands have gone on to perform in front of massive crowds, every band had to start somewhere.
Even though these bands have gone on to perform in front of massive crowds, every band had to start somewhere.
Yes, never forget that even the most popular bands in the world have humble beginnings. More often than not, these acts played in half-empty rooms in front of just a handful of people. Those people were likely friends or family. Worse, many of these bands would likely tell you some of their early shows were in front of even less than that.
However, it's in those moments where bands often remember how those very first shows really allowed them to cut their teeth. They helped bands realize their performance style and truly craft who they were. If you were among the lucky few who saw a band in a tiny venue before they blew up, those shows are often a badge of honor for the fan. There is something so special about seeing a band from its early beginnings grow into something grand before your eyes. There's a good chance that whoever was at these gigs, those people talk about them fondly and with pride.
RELATED: Rock Hall: Every Multiple Inductee in Its History
The bands highlighted in this list cover a unique swath of rock history. Three of them have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It wouldn't be outrageous for the other three bands to be inducted one day, either. The dates of these first shows span took place in the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. The youngest band on our list had their first show in 1997 when the founding members were 13 and 10, respectively. This band literally had their dad play their show with them. Now, they play arenas
With this in mind, here are six bands and the main details about their first gigs. Some of them will undoubtedly surprise you.
Aerosmith
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesAerosmith played their first show at Nipmuc Regional High School in Mendon, Mass on November 6, 1970. How did they land the gig? Joe Perry’s mom knew someone who worked for the school. Way to go, Mrs. Perry!
The Rolling Stones
Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesThe first official Rolling Stones gig took place on July 12, 1962 at the Marquee Jazz Club in London. According to UDiscoverMusic, the whole gig happened as a favor to Alexis Korner, whose band, Blues Incorporated, played the venue every Thursday night, but the band had to back out one fateful night when they had the opportunity to perform on BBC Radio's Jazz Club. To appease the annoyed club owner, Korner recruited some of his friends to fill in for Blues Incorporated. At the time, they called themselves "The Rollin' Stones," and the lineup for that first gig included Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, guitarist Elmo Lewis, bassist Dick Taylor and pianist Ian Stewart. Future Kinks drummer Mick Avory was scheduled to join them, but he ended up not making the gig, and it's still unknown whether this new band even had a drummer during their first performance. Once again, everyone -- even The Rolling Stones -- had to start somewhere.
Motley Crue
Emma McIntyre/Getty ImagesThe Crue played their very first show at the Starwood in West Hollywood, Calif. on April 24, 1981. In an interview with 'L.A. Weekly,' Nikki Sixx said of the gig, “I remember walking down the stairs onto the stage and hardly knowing Tommy and Vince and Mick, but at the same time feeling like I’d known them my whole life.”
Foo Fighters
John Phillips/Getty ImagesThe first Foo show took place on February 19, 1995 in front of just family and friends in Seattle. It was the first time Dave Grohl performed live since Kurt Cobain died. The show was recorded, and in an interview with 'Rolling Stone,' Grohl recalled listening to the recording afterward and saying, “I remember it being such a huge relief that we just made it to the end and then it was maybe a month later that I heard the recording of it – and I was f---ing mortified. I thought we sounded great and I heard the recording like, ‘Ohhh…that’s the Foo Fighters? We’ve got to practice.”
Muse
Dave J Hogan/Getty ImagesThen known as Rocket Baby Dolls, the band who would become Muse had their first gig at a battle of the bands contest at the Teignmouth Broadmeadow Sports Centre in February 1994. BTW: They won the contest.
Halestorm
Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesIn 1997, Lzzy and Arejay Hale performed together for the first time as Halestorm at the Blue Mountain Coffee House and Hershey, Pa. They were only 13 and 10 years old. At the time, they didn’t have a bass player, so Lzzy and Arejay’s father stepped up to the task to help out his kids.
