The classic rock era of the 1960s and 1970s seemed like an incredible time for fans of rock music. I personally wasn’t alive back then, and I’m a bit bummed out about the fact that I’ll never know what it was really like to see legendary, culture-changing performances from that era in person. At least those of us who were born too late can enjoy the myth and lore that surround those famous tours. Let’s take a walk through music history’s past and look at four classic rock concert tours that were on another level!
Led Zeppelin World Tour (1969)
Before Led Zeppelin really blew up, they toured America for the first time in 1968. They hit US soil in the later weeks of the year, shortly before their debut album was released. Initially, the band’s name rarely made it to marquees.
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However, just a month into their tour, they kicked off a legendary set at The Boston Tea Party. Instead of playing for an hour, the band went on for a whopping four hours. Audiences, it seems, didn’t want to let them go. They debuted a ton of then-new, now-legendary songs on that tour, including “Whole Lotta Love”.
The Jimi Hendrix ‘Are You Experienced’ Tour (1967)
Jimi Hendrix and The Experience debuted their album Are You Experienced in 1967. To promote the album, Hendrix and company performed a whopping 200 (or possibly more) shows after it was released.
It was a liberating experience for those who got to experience his magic live. With drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding in tow, Hendrix blew the minds of the average Joe and his contemporaries alike. That tour included his iconic set at the Monterey Pop Festival, where he famously lit his axe on fire.
Cream’s Farewell Tour (1968)
Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce’s supergroup Cream was short-lived. Sometimes, it’s better to burn out fast than continue with a band that simply can’t work.
Their final tour was a wild ride. The band played an astounding 20-minute rendition of “Spoonful” at Madison Square Garden. At Fillmore in California, they played three simultaneous solos and blew the eyebrows off people in the front row. They were explosive.
The Who at Leeds (1970)
This wouldn’t be a list of iconic classic rock concert tours without mentioning The Who’s legendary tour in England. Coming off the release of Tommy, The Who got super raw and electric for their performance at the University of Leeds, where they would also record their iconic live album. “My Generation” took a full 15 minutes to complete.
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(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
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Pop group The Byrds (l to r): Chris Hillman; Dave Crosby; Mike Clark; Jim McGuinn; and Gene Clark. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)