Top 10 Greatest Live Music Moments in History

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the most talked-about and influential moments to occur at music concerts.

#10: Nirvana Unplugged (1993)

Watching Nirvana put their electric instruments aside and tone it down should not have worked so well. And yet, after the release of their album In Utero, which represented a big stylistic shift for the group, they did a show for MTV Unplugged that would take things even further. Somehow, Nirvanas grungey hits sounded even better in acoustic form, and the covers they decided to pay tribute to became instantly canonised in modern music. There arent too many people these days listening to blues standards, but they likely know In the Pines as Where Did You Sleep Last Night. Unfortunately, Kurt Cobain died just a few months later, but not before delivering an all-time-great live album.

#9: Michael Jackson Debuts The Moonwalk (1983)

Can you imagine a world without the Moonwalk? Michael Jackson absolutely blew the roof off of the place when he performed hit single Billie Jean on a TV special for Motown's 25th anniversary. Millions of people tuned in just to see what MJ would do. And boy, did he deliver. After the second chorus, Jackson launched into a physics-defying dance move that made it appear as though Jackson was walking forward but moving backwards. Contrary to popular belief, this move was actually developed by Jeffrey Daniel of the R&B group Shalamar. Still, Jacksons adaptation under the name Moonwalk popularized one of the most popular dances ever. It all started with that historic performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

#8: Led Zeppelin at the Royal Albert Hall (1970)

There was nothing quite like Led Zeppelin in their prime. And there was no better performance that captured them at their peak than their triumphant appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1970. The band have been accused of being slightly sloppier as a live act in their later years, perhaps partly due to substance use disorder. But Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham hardly put a foot wrong during this gig. The setlist is a stunning mix of the best of their first three albums. And although some might argue that their greatest releases were still yet to come, this was arguably their best performance.

#7: Johnny Cash Plays Folsom Prison (1968)

When Johnny Cash decided to make his next album a live recording in a prison, his record label was obviously not too keen. Cash had actually been trying to get this show on its feet for years, but it took a real career decline for him to finally get the go-ahead. Seen as past his prime and somewhat addled by substance use disorder, he saw a huge comeback after the album At Folsom Prison. And it also served to humanise the inmates to the outside world. It was a show that connected him to a group of people that society had forgotten, with his rapturous performance of crime- and prison-related songs being a particular hit.

#6: Elvis On The Milton Berle Show (1956)

Elvis Presleys performance of Hound Dog on The Milton Berle Show in 1956 awakened an entire generation and let them know exactly where the world of music was headed. As soon as Elvis began to sing and dance, it was as if he was tapping into something truly otherworldly. Hound Dog was the perfect song choice too, with each chorus allowing Elvis to shake like there was no tomorrow. Obviously, this performance was hugely controversial at the time by those who did not want the worlds youth to begin breaking out of societal norms. Unfortunately for them, thats exactly what happened. It was a watershed moment for rock n roll music.

#5: Jimi Hendrix Plays The Star-Spangled Banner (1969)

Jimi Hendrix did things with a guitar that have not been rivalled since the 1960s. And one of those legendary feats was his interpretation of the U.S. national anthem The Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock in 1969. Sure, its one man with a guitar but in his playing, you can hear a complicated patriotic tribute. The sound of planes, bombs and guns were interpreted by some as a protest of the Vietnam War. Either way, this move caused some major controversy at the time, which should come as no surprise. But in a festival lineup filled with iconic moments, this was without question the biggest moment of them all.

#4: The Beatles Play The Apple Corp Rooftop (1969)

Sure, we couldve gone for their legendary U.S. debut on The Ed Sullivan show. We couldve even picked their ear-busting performance at Shea Stadium in 1965. But The Beatles never performed with more on the line than when they made a comeback in 1969 on the rooftop of Apple Corp. After a long hiatus from live performance, the group wanted to do something different. Rather than hit the road for a tour, they decided to create a major public disturbance, eventually leading to the arrival of the police. But it wasnt just the spectacle that was great. John, Paul, George, and Ringo, joined by keyboardist Billy Preston, performed an all-time great set of music. It was their last ever concert.

#3: Prince at the Super Bowl (2007)

Super Bowl halftime shows were turned into a genuinely elaborate musical concept by Michael Jackson in the 1990s. But the art form was perfected in 2007 by Prince. His performance during the break in the action at Super Bowl XLI is still considered to be the benchmark for all those who follow. Not only did Prince bring intense production values and choreography to the event, but the actual musicianship was of the highest quality. Hits like Lets Go Crazy and Baby, Im A Star were performed alongside a medley of covers. But the standout moment came when he delivered the legendary Purple Rain as the skies opened, showering down on the performance. It was almost too perfect.

#2: Dylan Goes Electric At Newport Folk Festival (1965)

We cant overstate how wild it was for the poster-boy of the 1960s folk revival movement to all try his hand at electric rock n roll. But Bob Dylan didnt decide to distance himself from his roots either. He brought his electric band directly to the festival that made his name and proceeded to pull off one of the biggest u-turns in music history. Sure, there are about a dozen different accounts of how the crowd actually reacted to this performance. The general consensus is that, while most people actually enjoyed Dylans rocked-up versions of Like A Rolling Stone and Maggies Farm, there were more than a few people who were disgusted. It was a pivotal moment in music history.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Beyoncé at Coachella (2018)

New Levels of Glamourous Showmanship Arrive to Coachella

David Bowie Retires Ziggy Stardust (1973)

One of the Most Surprising On-Stage Announcements in Music History

The Who at the Isle of Wight Festival (1970)

Raw and Unfiltered Rock n Roll Delivered Masterfully

#1: Queen at Live Aid (1985)

Does it get any better than Queens thunderous performance at Live Aid? As soon as Freddie Mercury and company stepped out onto that Wembley stage, they had the crowd in their hands. And for the next 20 minutes, they didnt let them go. For such a short runtime, the band managed to fit in a number of their greatest songs, all delivered with the type of intensity that far outstripped the album versions. By the time show-closer We Are the Champions came around, the crowd were already wishing that the band could have stayed around for just a little while longer. Freddie brought new meaning to the word showmanship on this day.

What do you think are the greatest musical performances of all time? Let us know in the comments below.