In this episode of ‘Seeing Them Live,’ comedian and former punk rocker Ken Reid shares his evolution from 90s punk bands to comedy stardom, featuring memorable concert experiences like Aerosmith and David Bowie. Dive into tales of intense punk shows, iconic bands like Black Sabbath, and why Cesar Romero’s portrayal of the Joker in the original Batman series is underrated. Ken highlights his ‘TV Guidance Counselor’ podcast, blending rock ‘n’ roll stories with nostalgic TV moments, while exploring recording albums and hosting renowned musicians and comedians.

In this episode of ‘Seeing Them Live,’ Charles interviews Rudy Childs, a renowned documentary filmmaker and rock photographer. Rudy shares captivating stories from his career, including photographing legendary bands like Van Halen and Black Sabbath. He reflects on attending iconic concerts, such as the 1976 Aerosmith show at the Boston Garden, and recounts his strategies for sneaking cameras into venues. Rudy discusses his documentary work, including ‘The Dogmatics’ and ‘1984 Riding into Hell.’ He also opens up about his early struggles with drugs and his encounter with Sharon Osbourne when she threw him out of Ozzy’s dressing room at an Ozzy Osbourne concert. Rudy’s tales offer a fascinating glimpse into his journey through music, photography, and documentary filmmaking.

In this special episode of Seeing Them Live: After Show Report, host Charles welcomes back Eric Green and Scott Patrick Wiener. Eric, an award-winning filmmaker and blogger, and Scott, an artist and art teacher, recount their recent experience at the controversial Jane’s Addiction concert in Boston where they both had press passes. The discussion covers their long-time friendship, their mutual love for the band, and the chaos that ensued when vocalist Perry Farrell attacked guitarist Dave Navarro during the performance. The episode delves into the band’s dynamics, the quality of the show, and the personal significance of the event for Eric and Scott. Additionally, they touch on highlights like the setlist, including rare performances, and the aftermath of the incident as it spread on social media and news outlets. The conversation provides a detailed and personal perspective on a night that was both magical and tumultuous.

In this episode of “Seeing Them Live,” host Charles interviews Scott Patrick Weiner, an artist, skateboarder, and middle school art teacher, about his extensive and eclectic live music experiences. Scott shares vivid memories of his first concert at age 14, seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Boston University’s Walter Brown Arena with opening acts Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins. He highlights other significant shows, including Ministry at Lollapalooza ’92 and various local hardcore bands, explaining how live music formed a big part of his life. Scott also talks about the emotional impact of seeing Mogwai live in 2019 and a touching living room concert by Wussy, attended with his young daughter. Throughout the conversation, Scott underscores the importance of music communities and the profound influence of live music on his life.

In this episode, Charles and Doug are joined by Jim the Podcast Sherpa, host of Too Many Podcasts, a show dedicated to exploring the vast world of podcasts. The trio discusses Jim’s concert experiences, starting with his first and most memorable concert—The Police at Madison Square Garden in 1980 during their Zenyatta Mondatta tour. Jim shares how the energy of the crowd and the electrifying performance left a lasting impression on him as a teenager, setting the bar high for future concerts. They also touch on Jim’s other notable concert experiences, including seeing Tina Turner’s energetic comeback performance in 1984, a controversial Elton John concert, and multiple Billy Joel shows, highlighting the unique qualities that make each of these performances stand out in his memory.

As the conversation unfolds, Jim recounts a humorous incident at a Joan Jett concert where he and his friends played a prank involving “pre-concert mooing,” and another unexpected experience at a Samantha Fox show where his choice of headwear led to an amusing situation. Throughout the episode, the hosts and Jim reflect on how live performances not only create unforgettable memories but also showcase the evolving journeys of artists, making each concert a unique experience.

In this episode of ‘Seeing Them Live,’ host Charles interviews Eric Green, an award-winning writer, director, and producer. Eric shares his concert experiences, including his first concert with Debbie Gibson and memorable moments from festivals like Lollapalooza. They discuss influential shows by Green Day, Aerosmith, and unique incidents at concerts with Hole and Primus. Eric also talks about his documentary ‘Life on the V’ which explores the story of the short-lived Boston music video TV station V66 and its significance in capturing the essence of a local music video TV station. The discussion highlights Eric’s passion for music, movies, and his unique perspective as a concert reviewer.

In this episode of ‘Seeing Them Live,’ the host welcomes Amy Hill, a passionate nurse, and avid live music fan. They reminisce about their initial meeting at a bar before a Jonathan Van Ness show in Chicago and delve into Amy’s extensive history with concerts. A particular highlight is Amy’s unique experiences on Gothic cruises, where she has attended multiple sailings featuring bands like Combichrist and the Gothsicles. Amy vividly describes the intimate and energetic atmosphere on these cruises, her interactions with the bands, and the strong sense of community that develops among the attendees. The conversation underscores the emotional and communal aspects of live music, including how these experiences have created lasting friendships and unforgettable memories.

In this episode of ‘Seeing Them Live,’ hosts interview Stephen Pitalo, a music video historian and creator of the Music Video Time Machine website. The discussion kicks off with Stephen reminiscing about his first concert experience at a Ratt show in 1985, featuring Bon Jovi as the opening act. They delve into Stephen’s extensive career in music journalism, his interviews with iconic music video directors, and his ongoing book project that aims to document the golden age of music videos, which he defines as spanning from 1976 to 1994. The episode also highlights Stephen’s work at Serino Coyne Incorporated, producing radio commercials with notable talent, and his experiences in the music industry, including playing in a punk band and hosting music video dance parties.

In this episode, Charles welcomes Paul Peterson, a retired technology manager and avid audiophile, who is the creator, host, and producer of the podcast “An Avid Listener.” The conversation spans Paul’s extensive history with live music, starting with his first concert, The Doors, in 1969 at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. Paul shares vivid memories of live performances, emphasizing the significance of concert acoustics and reminiscing about iconic shows, including those by Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, and Paul McCartney & Wings. He recounts fascinating stories, such as a failed hitchhiking trip to Woodstock and an unusual souvenir from a Wings concert. The discussion also touches on Paul’s home audio setup and the nuances of vinyl versus digital formats. Towards the end, Paul talks about the future of his podcast amid changes in Spotify’s platform.

In this episode of ‘Seeing Them Live,’ host Charles Zona dives into a special segment called Ticket Stub Stories, sharing memories from his book, Ticket Stub Stories: A Memoir of Live Music. Charles recounts his experience attending a U2 concert in 1985 at the UIC Pavilion, highlighting a moment when Bono lost his voice. The story weaves through the unique perks of being a UIC student, the thrill of live concerts, and the meticulous process of fact-checking memories with actual recordings. Tune in to relive this historic concert and be inspired to share your own concert stories.