Most Electrifying Live TV Performance You've Ever Seen

Watching the Beatles on ED Sullivan the first time was pretty electric too.

 

Surprised no one has mentioned Beatles yet! I have to say that the last Ed Sullivan, where they do I Feel Fine, I’m Down, Act Naturally, Help, Ticket To Ride and Yesterday is an electrifying treat, especially since they are so loose, relaxed and downright rocking....

 

Stooges, Cincinnati Pop Festival, 1970; it was almost too much for my young mind to handle

 

New York Dolls doing "Personality Crisis" on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in the mid-70s. Blew my head off.

 

How about Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand Get Happy/Happy Days are Here again

 

As far as anything in the last 5 years, I'd have to say this - the *second* tune Alabama Shakes played on SNL whenever the last time they played was.

I've never seen them live, nor do I own any of their music -- but I was totally sold on this performance, which I must have replayed 4-5 times the next day off the DVR.

 

"The Cisco Kid" ~ War

 

Saw them open for Jack White in Detroit in 2012. My buddy left his seat to go up front for their set, and came back to report that Bob Seger was standing next to him getting down to the Shakes. Don't know if they've really sustained the quality of that first LP, but they're really great.

 

Wonder how many people's jaws dropped when this resurfaced a few years back?

 

Elvis gives everything he has here:

 

Foghat at their ass kicking best

 

He is technically a better singer, but Lism’s Whiny sneer gave those songs the edge they needed.

Still I love that performance (and have loved all Noel’s ‘solo’ albums and really love Liam’s As you were...

 

Jackie Wilson and Jack Good at the height of their powers

 

The Kinks' 1977 set for The Old Grey Whistle Test. I just discovered this one and was surprised by how good it is.

This is the opener, and Ray cuts the silliness (for the most part) on the rest of the songs.

 

If I could like this 1000x I would.

The greatest swan song performance by a man who knew he wasn’t going to last on this planet.

 

VH1 Storytellers: Steely Dan.

 

Judy Garland singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" 3 weeks after President Kennedy was murdered. Absolutely on fire:

 

We had a similar thread a year or two ago so I'll post my same pick;

 

"Sunshine Of Your Love" on Beat Club. Wait for the drum solo!

 

Easy SRV Austin City Limits

 

One of my most favorite musical moments of all-time.

 

Speaking of Beat Club, all of the Doors' episode is fantastic - this one gets bonus points for Ray playing the piano with his foot. XD

 

The first thing that came to mind was The Who at the post-9/11 Concert for NY. I’m not even the biggest fan, but they blew the roof off that place. Moving and memorable performance. Unfortunately, it looks like samples on YouTube are blocked due to copyright issues.

 

Patti Smith on SNL

 

Mine too. Plus, Neil Young on SNL, Rockin in the Free World.