douglish

Elton John & Ray Cooper at the Rainbow Theatre in London, 1977... I was 14 and begged my parents to take me. Was a royal performance, I think Princess Anne, so I had to wear a suit and all the adults wore tuxedos & dresses.

Ozomatli, especially off of their first album from 1998 called Ozomatli

One of the best bands to come out of LA... members really mirror the city... mexican, el salvadoran, japanese, african american... with a sound that combines salsa, rap, funk, reggae, you name it. many songs in spanish.

Radiohead opening for PJ Harvey at the Hollywood Palladium in 1993

The Alarm opening for U2 at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas in 1983

Rusted Root opening for The Allman Brothers in Allentown in 1995

Stew (of the Negro Problem) opening for the Eels at the El Rey Theater in 1999

Andrew Bird opening for the Decemberists at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007

Dramarama opening for the Smithereens at the Roxy (I think) in 1988 (I think)

More recently... Monsters Calling Home opening for HoneyHoney at the Roxy last month... an all Korean band with the sound and energy (at least live) of early Arcade Fire believe it or not.

I try to never miss an opening band, it's a great way to discover new music.