Cancelled rock shows

[jamnolfin]

Got any good stories? My best one was in Pensacola. Pop will eat itself, Jim Rose Circus Sideshow and Nine Inch Nails. Jim Rose was through with his show and PWEI was playing and blew out the circuitry or something. All of the lights go off, emergency lights on and they work on the power for over a hour before finally cancelling. The best part was Trent Reznor just came out on the floor as everybody was leaving and just hung out and talked to everybody, very cool guy, nice as can be. All of Jim Roses freaks were out there talking to people and freaking them out. I got my picture with the Enigma, scary dude. Overall a fun time and I got my money back to boot.

Bob Marley cancelled on me twice back in the day. Everybody was mad at him because most were from the 1st cancelled concert. Later he died of brain cancer and i always felt guilty of thinking bad of the guy. He never let anybody know he was even sick.

 

[Fijimn]

I forget the year, but it was in the 1980's, this concert promoter scammed all us in Bakersfield, promoting Fat Boys concert. Probably 5 thousand people at the fair grounds for this concert that is never going to happen. The promoter keeps coming out to say that the Fat Boys are delayed, etc. Crowd starts to get crazy, knocking over stuff, a few fires. Someone yells "there's that thief (promoter) and the crowd starts to rock his town car. At that time we realize, this was going to get bad and decided to get out of there. Police come and, this being Bakersfield in the 1980's, arrest all the black kids and chauffer all the white kids home....but vividly recall the herd mentally.

 

[gemfsu]

Had tickets to see Mountain with Leslie West on 2 different occasions - both times he had heart issues develop. Never got to see them. Also had (still have, in fact) tickets to see Jethro Tull at the Grand Casino in Biloxi. Katrina hit the week of the show and we all know the rest of what happened on that horrible day.

 

[Warchant User 253]

Had tickets to see Mountain with Leslie West on 2 different occasions - both times he had heart issues develop. Never got to see them. Also had (still have, in fact) tickets to see Jethro Tull at the Grand Casino in Biloxi. Katrina hit the week of the show and we all know the rest of what happened on that horrible day.

I was working security at the Festival in Byron , Ga. and had the opportunity to "party" with Felix Pappalardi who played base for Mountain. Leslie West was upset we were having a good time and was pouting back stage. Mark Farner was also with us.....great time. I saw Jethro Tull multiple times and they were one of my favorite groups. They put on a hellofa show!

 

[seminoleed]

I had tickets to take my son to his first rock show to see Oasis; the brothers had their annual dust up with each other in Charlotte the night before and the show was cancelled. Bummed.

Bigger bummed--Dr. John was to play this summer at the Mable House Amphitheatre and just cancelled last week. Some of these guys are getting too old to cancel, or I might NEVER see them live.

 

[NoleMac]

Lynyrd Skynyrd cancelled one too many times in Jacksonville. Cost them some equipment.

 

[NoleNewsIsGoodNews]

Been lucky as I have traveled the country to see many tours and have never had one outright cancelled....now I have been to many that had major delays...saw Ozzy in 1982 in New Orleans at one of those "Day of Rock" Tours that were so popular in the 1970's in 80's....he came on stage 5 hours late and half way through the first song he ripped off a wig and was completely bald...depending on the story you believe the reason the show started so late was that Ozzy was lost..he had gotten completely drunk/drugged out on Bourbon Street the night before..shaved his head at some point and passed out in a random apartment..his people spent all day looking all over the city for him till they found him wandering around in The Quarter...crazy part was is once the show began Ozzy put on a great concert even though he had to be hurtin

 

[GatorPhin]

A well past their prime Stone Temple Pilots came to the Ford Amphiteatre in Tampa circa 2008. Opening band played. We were in the pit. Waiting.....waiting....waiting. All of the sudden about 200 cops start surrounding the place. Then the PA comes on and says "tonight's show has been canceled". My guess? Scott Weiland fell off the wagon and couldn't get up for the show. Funny sidebar: I went to that show with this new girl I met, as well as another girl I had previously hooked up with and her friend. It was awkward at first, but now the new girl is my wife and mother of my daughter.

 

[Manch.]

Think it was 1995 and we were driving to Orlando from Ocala when we found out the Van Halen show was canceled. I was on vacation from New Hampshire so I don't know if it was ever rescheduled.

I have been to over 150 Red Sox games with only 1 rain out.

 

[Bartdog]

I think it was 1985 when REM was supposed to come to Tallahassee. I had tickets, but then a hurricane blew into the gulf, turned around a couple of times and then hit Tally. Does anyone remember that? Was it Elena? Anyhow I spent two nights in a church in Marianna myself and Tally was out of power for 2 weeks IIRC.

They cancelled the show and I never saw REM live.

 

[dero316]

Widespread Panic's last cancelled show was the 2010 show here at the DLTTLCCC, no crazy reason given but they still haven't made it up or come back since.

When I went to the Georgia Dome for the Metallica/Korn/KidRock/Powerman5000/SOAD show nothing was announced until it was time for Metallica to play then they announced that James Hetfield had been in a jetski accident and hurt his back so he couldn't play. The rest of the band came out and the lead singers of the opening acts took turns covering for Hetfield on the Metallica songs which was a pretty cool experience. They honored the tickets a couple months later when Metallica came back and played a makeup date at Lakewood.

 

[FSUTribe76]

I've been to only 1.5 cancelled shows.

The only fully canceled was Robin Thicke at Universal this year when he unexpectedly cancelled the day of (I was already in Otown for the show) because he was "sick". Turns out his wife caught him with a floozie and they're in the process of getting a divorce. He did come back to make up the date but I didn't care enough to drive down for the makeup show.

The .5 is for a Tool concert in Tallahassee that was hands down the worst concert I've ever seen. It was at least a decade or so ago, but the lead singer jumps on stage obviously high as a kite on something stronger than Mary Jane and alcohol. He mumbles something about hating FSU then starts to play (horribly) before stopping midsong and throwing his guitar down. The roadie comes out and gives him a new guitar and he starts to horribly sing a different song before stopping midway through to say the guitar is out of tune and throws that one down. Then he mumbles something about hating Tallahassee, grabs a third guitar and starts playing and basically passes out midway through. Wakes up enough to halfway finish and then says "Goodnight!" And stumbles off stage. Worst concert of all time and Floyds did not return any money on the tickets.

 

[NoleandDawg]

REM show in Tally when a tornado damaged the roof of the Leon County Convention Center.

 

[skramer100]

Had front row seats to Smashing Pumpkins in 96 I think. Week before the show their drummer OD. Bummer. On the other hand, saw Pearl Jam in New Orleans freshman year which was make up show from July 4 that they had to cancel due to the whole ticketmaster thing.

 

[denvernole]

Jimi Hendrix, 1967 or 68. (I have trouble remembering details from that time period). He was supposed to start at 8 pm and rolled out about 10 pm. Played Fire. After he finished the song, he said if one more flash bulb went off in his face he would leave the stage. About 10 seconds into his second song, some idiot flashed his camera, Hendrix stopped playing, flipped everyone off and left. I smashed every 8 track I had of his in the parking lot.

 

[44DaCuse44]

I had tickets (vouchers actually) to see Led Zeppelin when Bonham died. Not much more to that story.

A better story is the Molly Hatchet debacle. This was in the late '80s/early '90s when they were reduced to being a bar band. They were scheduled at a small college bar and my friend's local band was opening. Shortly before the show, we were hanging out at an apartment when one of the guys in the band calls and frantically says that Molly Hatchet bailed. Supposedly because the singer was stretching out and somehow slipped and busted a nut. Of course my buddy thought it was because they heard his band warming up and didn't want to be outshined. I suspect dispute with the bar owner or some other typical rock&roll reason, but whatever. It was too late to announce a cancellation, so the show was going on without the headliner. My friends band was afraid of a riot once word got out and drafted us as emergency roadies in case they had to get their equipment out of there fast. So we headed over there, but weren't needed. The band played great and won the crowd over. Prior to that show, they had only played a few private parties. They eventually developed a regional following before breaking up a couple years later. Coincidentally, one of them teased a reunion on Facebook a couple weeks ago.

 

[Nole-4-Life]

Led Zep in the old Sombrero in Tampa maybe 1977. Tickets said rain or shine, but after four songs in the rain, they said they were going to take a break, but never came back out. Riot ensued. Good times.

Another one (not cancelled, but weird) was Kiss in 76 or 77 in the Lakeland Civic Center. Opened with Detroit Rock City and came out from below the stage on risers. As they were stepping down on the stage, Ace Frehley apparently touched something he shouldn't have and basically electrocuted himself. He went down and the song sorta fell apart piece by piece. Roadies came out and the took him backstage and announced he'd been shocked. They came out and played the show after a delay, but you could tell he was tentative and not himself. Weird experience all around.

 

[crooked_rain]

From my hazy memory:

Had tickets to Lollapalooza 94 outside Orlando, before a huge storm cancelled it. We decided to make a roadtrip to the New Orleans show being held a few days later, which entailed a huge brick of hash and a bunch of acid. The show was Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, George Clinton & the P. Funk All-Stars, The Breeders, A Tribe Called Quest, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, L7, Boredoms, Green Day.

Acid kicked in during PFunk. B-Boys were incredible. We walked out as Billy Corgan kept bitching and moaning about everything (they started out as such a great band). Afterwards, we met the bassist and drummer from Green Day at a great dive bar called Kagans (I distinctly remember the bassist drinking a newcastle and smashing the bottle on the concrete floor). I also remember meeting DJ Hurricane as we somehow snuck into either HOB or Howlin Wolfs. I think Bo Diddley was playing.

I had front row seats to the Beastie Boys / Rage Against the Machine tour in Atlanta that was cancelled due to Mike D's broken arm.

Also had tickets to the Grateful Dead at, I think, Tampa stadium that was cancelled, I think it was Bobby's mom who died? Phils?

As for the previously mentioned Metallica show at the GA Dome, I went to the makeup show at Lakewood. I was in a box, and it was one of the loudest shows I ever attended. It sounded like they used the stadium setup for the Amphitheater. My ears rang for almost two days.

 

[kc78]

Never for a rock show, I was planning on going to Jacksonville to see a Mitch Hedberg show that would have taken place about a month later when I found out he was dead.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Drive By Truckers cancelled a show I was going to in Tuscaloosa once because the whole band was sick. Pretty anticlimactic: they announced the cancellation a few days in advance and promptly returned everyone's money.

 

[ggmike1992]

From my hazy memory:

Had tickets to Lollapalooza 94 outside Orlando, before a huge storm cancelled it.

Wasn't this show in Daytona? I was also supposed to go to this show and heard the morning we were leaving that it was canceled?

 

[poewilly]

Frank black played a small stage show at the Hotel Congress in tucson Arizona in 1994...there was zero security... one fan took a step onto the stage and instantly jumped into the crowd... frank stopped pkaying... ripped out his amp cord and ejected without a word. .. weak...

 

[jamnolfin]

I went to the 1st 5 Lollapaloozas, #2 was the best. Saw it in Orlando and New Orleans. That was the day I saw the Ministry for the 1st time and changed my world. I was in awe to say the least.

 

[hatsbo]

Coldplay in Tampa about five years ago, apparently Gwyneth had just gone on her period.

 

[skramer100]

From my hazy memory:

Had tickets to Lollapalooza 94 outside Orlando, before a huge storm cancelled it. We decided to make a roadtrip to the New Orleans show being held a few days later, which entailed a huge brick of hash and a bunch of acid. The show was Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, George Clinton & the P. Funk All-Stars, The Breeders, A Tribe Called Quest, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, L7, Boredoms, Green Day.

Acid kicked in during PFunk. B-Boys were incredible. We walked out as Billy Corgan kept bitching and moaning about everything (they started out as such a great band). Afterwards, we met the bassist and drummer from Green Day at a great dive bar called Kagans (I distinctly remember the bassist drinking a newcastle and smashing the bottle on the concrete floor). I also remember meeting DJ Hurricane as we somehow snuck into either HOB or Howlin Wolfs. I think Bo Diddley was playing.

I had front row seats to the Beastie Boys / Rage Against the Machine tour in Atlanta that was cancelled due to Mike D's broken arm.

Also had tickets to the Grateful Dead at, I think, Tampa stadium that was cancelled, I think it was Bobby's mom who died? Phils?

As for the previously mentioned Metallica show at the GA Dome, I went to the makeup show at Lakewood. I was in a box, and it was one of the loudest shows I ever attended. It sounded like they used the stadium setup for the Amphitheater. My ears rang for almost two days.

Saw that show in 94 twice. First in Philly and Corgan was awesome. Pumpkins killed it that day. 2 days later on Jones beach in NYC he was a total dick and just screamed into the mic. Beastie's were awesome both times as was Tribe.

 

[PortaJohn]

I've had oasis cancel on me 2 or 3 times. Had tickets to the beastie boys/rage show crooked rain mentioned above. Also had Evan dando/lemonheads cancel 3x.

Coldplay and ash got rained out at masquerade but both showed up and played the echo lounge in east Atlanta.

 

[Nole Daddy]

I've had oasis cancel on me 2 or 3 times. Had tickets to the beastie boys/rage show crooked rain mentioned above. Also had Evan dando/lemonheads cancel 3x.

Coldplay and ash got rained out at masquerade but both showed up and played the echo lounge in east Atlanta.

I was at an Oasis show years ago and Liam was all strung out and pretended to be sick so he left the stage. Noel then went on to play an unbelievable acoustic set to bail out his loser brother. It turned out to be a great show.

 

[Swarley]

A well past their prime Stone Temple Pilots came to the Ford Amphiteatre in Tampa circa 2008. Opening band played. We were in the pit. Waiting.....waiting....waiting. All of the sudden about 200 cops start surrounding the place. Then the PA comes on and says "tonight's show has been canceled". My guess? Scott Weiland fell off the wagon and couldn't get up for the show. Funny sidebar: I went to that show with this new girl I met, as well as another girl I had previously hooked up with and her friend. It was awkward at first, but now the new girl is my wife and mother of my daughter.

I was at this show and was completely gutted when it was called off. It was truly a surreal experience. Before the show, we are tailgating and I run into a Chelsea headhunter from London that threatened to stab me and called me a "monkey" (I'm white) for being a Man U supporter. The opening band played forever and I was dying to see STP again. I saw them down in TPA at a rock feastival and they were incredible. I had backstage tickets to that show so we got to see everything. It was awesome. Then this poop. My friends and I drove back to North Port that night in a heavy rain. I started hydroplaning when I was switching lanes near traffic stop. Needless to say, we were riding dirty. It coulda been ugly, but I got us home and my friends have hated STP ever since.

 

[oldscalphunter]

Widespread Panic's last cancelled show was the 2010 show here at the DLTTLCCC, no crazy reason given but they still haven't made it up or come back since.

When I went to the Georgia Dome for the Metallica/Korn/KidRock/Powerman5000/SOAD show nothing was announced until it was time for Metallica to play then they announced that James Hetfield had been in a jetski accident and hurt his back so he couldn't play. The rest of the band came out and the lead singers of the opening acts took turns covering for Hetfield on the Metallica songs which was a pretty cool experience. They honored the tickets a couple months later when Metallica came back and played a makeup date at Lakewood.

I believe the Civic Center cancelled on them because people in Tallahassee weren't buying tickets. Their 2008 trip to Tallahassee is still the most poorly attended Widespread Panic show I've seen. Not a lot of reason to come back here when they play in sold-out venues across the South.

 

[dero316]

I remember it being easy to get up front during the encore of that 08 show which was surprising seeing the attendance of the 05 show(with GMac). I went to the StAug show right after the cancelled Tallahassee show and it wasn't very packed either.

From the 05 show @DLTTLCCC:

 

[smhnole]

FUN. cancelled their Gentlemen of the Road concert with Mumford. John Fogarty replaced them.

 

[oldscalphunter]

I remember it being easy to get up front during the encore of that 08 show which was surprising seeing the attendance of the 05 show(with GMac). I went to the StAug show right after the cancelled Tallahassee show and it wasn't very packed either.

From the 05 show @DLTTLCCC:

I remember that show well (oddly?). I went to St. Aug after the 08 Tallahassee show & it was pretty full... didn't go after they canceled Tallahassee in 09 though. There might be a few causes for the decrease in demand compared to 05 (by the way, their best Tallahassee shows were in the 90s at the Moon.. give them a listen if you get a chance/haven't yet done so, but I digress): (1) I remember the 05 show being on a Friday... both 08 & 09 were scheduled as mid-week shows so Fridays generally draw more from out of town while freeing up students in town; and (2) Quality live music in Tallahassee was hard to come by after potbelly's stopped bringing in strong acts on Tuesdays (circa 07)... there just wasn't a thirst for it anymore.

It was a disappointing cancellation for me as well, but I received a refund on the tickets & was told the Civic Center cancelled so I never really faulted WP.

 

[dero316]

Never saw them at the moon but I saw all their shows at the civic center in 03/05/08 prior to the 2010 cancellation. I've listened to most of the moon shows here:

Tallahassee on Panicstream