Bucket lists are the dreams that are birthed on a lazy day. Your mind wanders to fulfilling those dreams by laying out a plan. It might be visiting cities around the country or even the globe. It could be attending the championship games of major league sports or visiting the Halls of Fame of those major American professional sports. For me, it was to create a list of living artists who I have never had the chance to see before, and see them! Should you have such a Bucket list, please share it here!

Nine years ago, I was reflecting about artists who I still haven’t had the good fortune to see live. I eventually came up with seven artists that fit the bill and I began my journey to see them all.  Here’s how it all unfolded for me:

1)First up was James Taylor in Charleston at the No. Charleston (SC) Coliseum late in 2014. I recollected that he gave a perfectly good performance but I left the show without a desire to see him again. I’m happy to report that I saw him a year ago and the show was more upbeat and enjoyable.

2)Next was Steve Winwood who I got to see open for Steely Dan at the Amphitheatre in Charlotte, NC in July of 2016. His voice and organ playing was still first rate, even after fifty years performing live.

3)A few weeks later it was Dave Matthews in Charleston, performing at the No. Charleston Coliseum. Being the middle of a southern summer, Dave remarked how much he enjoyed playing indoors for a change! He throws a great party and is surrounded by a tight band.

4)Two years went by and I traveled to Scranton, Pa. in September to see Van Morrison as part of Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music festival. He was proceeded on stage that night by the Tedeschi-Trucks band, who I have enjoyed seeing several times. Van sang and played sax with passion and conviction. It was a great double bill.

5) A month later, I was fortunate to catch the Foo Fighters at the Carolina Coliseum, October, 2018 in Columbia, SC. The band delivers a three-hour, high-energy performance all night. That was just about the LOUDEST sound I have ever experienced.

Now I was down to two artists from my original list, Paul McCartney and either Roger Waters or David Gilmore of Pink Floyd fame.

6) It took nearly four years, but I finally got to see Paul McCartney last May and wrote about the experience at this blog.  I missed his previous tour in 2019 and wondered if I would get another chance. After all, Paul turned 80 in June,2022. He performed 35 tunes in just under three hours of non-stop hits and rarities. It was more than I was expecting!

7) It was April of 2021, on a tip from a friend, that I learned about tickets to Roger Waters next tour that were going on sale (again!). I was able to procure two seats for his show in Atlanta.  Sixteen months later, on August 20,2022. I saw the last of the Magnificent Seven.  In more than fifty years of concert going, I have never bought tickets for a show that far in advance. Roger and band delivered great renditions of Pink Floyd music with a heavy dose of his political leanings.

Over the years, I racked my brain for any other artists who I have not had the opportunity to see live. There were some whom I was saddened to have learned of their passing before seeing them. John Prine was such an artist. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2020, a COVID casualty and of the first celebrities to succumb to the virus.

I added three recently: John Fogerty (77 yrs. Old) of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame, Jeff Lynne (74) of the Electric Light Orchestra and the Traveling Willburys fame and Tom Waits, a 72-year-old gravelly voiced songwriter who rarely tours and generally only hits the largest of cities. In fact, he has not toured since 2008. He recently announced that he would perform at Neil Young’s Bridge concert this October in California, an annual event curated by Neil for the school where his special needs son attended.

It remains uncertain whether my path will cross with any of these three but I will make the effort if they will tour somewhere nearby! Now, if given the challenge, what would your bucket lists of artists include? Tell us here! Like/Subscribe and receive an email each time a new post is published! Never miss an issue…

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