2011 – That year was my first time seeing Red Hot Chili Peppers on their I’m With You tour. I thought it was a great show and Josh Klinghoffer delivered just fine. In addition, I saw Stone Temple Pilots while Scott Weiland was in the band. Scott Weiland blew me away with his stage presence and talent. Also in 2011, I saw Chris Cornell for the first time. It was a solo acoustic show. That show blew my mind and can still feel the booms that shook the theater when he played Blow Up the Outside World.

2013 – Stone Temple Pilot fired Scott Weiland.

2014 – I saw Soundgarden with Matt Chamberlin filling in on drums. It was a great show. Also in 2014, I saw Nothing More open for Chevelle a month before their self-titled album came out. The crowd was mesmerized wondering who this band was.

2015 – Scott Weiland passed away at the age of 48. But, this was the year I saw Foo Fighters for the first time, which was a religious experience to see Dave Grohl with my own eyes.

2016 – I saw Chris Cornell’s solo act for the second time. Easily one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.

But Wait! There’s More!

2017 – I saw Soundgarden with the iconic lineup of Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, and Matt Cameron. That was my 4th time seeing Chris Cornell – I already knew he was phenomenal. Matt Cameron, on the other hand, delivered a power I didn’t know was missing from the 2014 show. Also in 2017, Chris Cornell passed away at the age of 52. I also saw Red Hot Chili Peppers for the second time, still with Josh Klinghoffer. I thought Josh Klinghoffer was better this time around and was eager to hear the band was meshing well.

2018 – I saw Stone Temple Pilots for the second time with a friend who had never seen them before. He thought the show was phenomenal. Truthfully, I also thought Jeff Gut performed very well. While this is not fair to Gut at all, I simultaneously thought something was missing – that extra oomph Scott Weiland provided. Also in 2018, I saw Foo Fighters for the second time. It was as fun and mind-blowing as the second time.

Present Day

I sit here writing this in 2022, after seeing Red Hot Chili Peppers for the third time, and this time – John Frusciante has returned to the band. I remember his return was announced in 2019. That was the moment I knew I HAD to see Red Hot Chili Peppers with John Frusciante. That day came in 2022.

When Red Hot Chili Peppers opened with their opening jam, my jaw hit the floor and it took my breath away. Hearing the man, the myth, the legend play Snow (Hey Oh) and Under the Bridge sent literal chills down my spine. It’s the kind of performance you just have to see it to believe it.

John Frusciante is the kind of performer where videos of him do not do him justice.

You just had to be there.

Don’t get me wrong – I still enjoyed myself at a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert with Josh Klinghoffer, but I was mesmerized by John Frusciante…

…in the same way, I was mesmerized by Matt Cameron

… and Chris Cornell.

…Dave Grohl.

…Nothing More.

…Scott Weiland.

See That Artist.

This post is not meant to discourage you from seeing artists if they don’t have prominent members. The point of a concert is to enjoy yourself, and if you enjoy yourself, mission accomplished!

I saw The Who with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. The rhythm section was Jon Button and Zack Starkey – I still enjoyed myself a lot and it was a phenomenal show.

I’ve seen Alice In Chains twice with William Duvall – fantastic both times.

What I AM saying is to see that artist while you can and if you can.

I was not a human on this earth at the same time as Keith Moon. Of course, I was never going to witness Keith Moon. John Entwistle, even if I had parents who were keen on taking their littles to concerts, chances are, it would have been The Who with only John Entwistle. But still – John Entwistle.

I’m young enough that even IF I managed to go to an Alice In Chains concert in the 90s, I likely wouldn’t have appreciated Layne Staley as I would today if he was alive, performing, and got to see him. But, I am thankful I can still see Alice In Chains today with a similar-sounding singer and still enjoy myself at an Alice In Chains concert.

Equally, I am so glad to have seen Chris Cornell four times while he was alive.

I also need to get my butt to a Pearl Jam concert.

See That Artist.