Were you at these shows?

The first concert I ever saw in Connecticut was U2 on the Unforgettable Fire tour at the Hartford Civic Center in 1985. After the concert, we emerged from the darkness still singing "40" all the way to the parking lots on Asylum Street. I'll never forget that. I'll also never forget the two times that I saw Pearl Jam launch into Van Halen's "Ain't Talking Bout Love" at the hallowed venue.

Music has always been a way to burn a memory into our minds. Some of my favorite musical memories were made at the Hartford Civic Center/XL Center. I took a spin through YouTube, and picked out a few superior shows that happened under that roof. Here are a few of my favorites:

 

  • Jimmy Page & Robert Plant - October 1995

    Plant and Page blew the Civic Center crowd away with a powerful set. It sends chills up your spine when Plant croons "Oh Hartford, talk to us" and Page huffs a butt, then casually throws it away to bring the thunder.

  • The Grateful Dead - March 1990

    Taking the stage with "Shakedown Street", the Dead put on a hell of a show. Featuring gems like "Little Red Rooster" and "When I Paint My Masterpiece", the show closes with a spirited version of their classic "US Blues"

  • Eric Clapton - 1990

    Slowhand brought his "Journeyman" Tour to Hartford in April of 1990. Leading off with a fantastic version of one of my favorite Clapton songs "Pretending", he follows with one masterpiece after another.

  • Paul McCartney - September 2002

    Sir Paul rocked Hartford with a 36 song set. Here you'll find footage of "Hello, Goodbye", "Jet", "All my Loving", "Getting Better", "Coming Up" and "Let me Roll it"

  • Pearl Jam - October 2013

    This was the second time that Pearl Jam cranked out the Van Halen classic "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" to a Hartford crowd, the first time they did it was at an earlier show at the Civic Center in 2010. This time, they added "Eruption" - so good.

  • Bruce Springsteen - October 2012

    The Boss has rocked Connecticut many times over the years. In October of 2012, he put on a 26 song showcase. This is why he is called The Boss.

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