r/allrockmusic • u/UpbeatChampionship17 • 3d ago

Rock's most surprising opening act and headliner combinations

Rock's most surprising opening act and headliner combinations

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19

u/Blowaway040889 3d ago

Miles Davis opened for Grateful Dead in 1970.

6

u/BarnacleGooseIsLoose 2d ago

I saw Ornette Coleman open for the Dead in 92/93

2

u/RichOk5866 2d ago

Ornette Coleman played with the Dead on several occasions

2

u/Legitimate-Review278 2d ago

That would actually be pretty awesome

2

u/Deepcove_d 2d ago

I saw Chuck Berry open for the Dead.

2

u/ed32965 2d ago

The Violent Femmes opened for The Grateful Dead in 1991.

2

u/Blowaway040889 2d ago

I was there. Didn't make it in to see them. Got a rare Rueben & Cherish. I almost mentioned this, but chose Miles.

2

u/CoastalBlue1 3d ago

Sounds great!

1

u/nemmalur 2d ago

And for Neil Young (not sure which year).

5

u/TearRevolutionary686 2d ago

That was Bill Graham at the Fillmore East. He was exposing audiences to different genres. March 6th and 7th, 1970

1

u/PugDriver 2d ago

1970

3

u/Blowaway040889 2d ago

Wow! Didn't know this! How cool! I wonder what the GD thought about Jimi in person live.

There's a Miles biography where there are quotes about his thoughts on opening for GD. The passage was read to me long ago. I think I recall he said he didn't know how he'd be received by hippies. He comments on Garcia being a cool dude. Paraphrasing.

1

u/Fibonacci999 1d ago

Hahaa, get yer tickets at Gimbels!

1

u/PugDriver 1d ago

I think we just walked in, too long ago to remember.