The first concert i remember going to was Pat Benatar. But it was really my dad going, and taking me, my sister, and my mom with him. Rhythm Corps opened. But it was cool and all. I also remember being taken to see the Bee Gees. I was never "hit" by my father, other than a few spankings as a small child. but one day, when i was 14 or so, he told me that we were going to see the Bee Gees. this was around 1988 or so. I liked some Bee Gees stuff, and figured it would be fun.
Later on that night, i got in an argument with my dad about something, and he whipped out the Bee Gee's concert as leverage! Like, "Hey, if you don't blah blah blah, then you aren't coming to the Bee Gees concert!"
I was blown away at the fact that he'd use the Bee Gees show as a THREAT. I mean, I figured it would be fun and all, but REALLY didn't give a shit about it. So I say to him "Who cares about going to see a bunch of has-beens?" and he went off on me and raised his fist like he was going to punch me in the face. He was mad as hell.
I guess he was just in a fucked up mood, maybe some shit was going on back then that had him on edge. I talked to him about it much later and it had NOTHING to do with the Bee Gees. It had to do with me coming off snotty and unappreciative. It's the only time he EVER came close to hitting me. He's an amazing father. But I just think that's a funny story. Almost getting punched in the face after insulting the Bee Gees.
anyway. What I consider my REAL first concert (the first concert that I went to, because i wanted to. it also happened to be the first one i went to without my parents) was The Ramones.
I'm really proud to be able to say that my first concert was The Ramones.
I was 14 or so and this was a year or so after Brain Drain. I was right up against the stage the whole concert. Bought a t-shirt with a pinhead skull on it. Great memory.