Most Electrifying Live TV Performance You've Ever Seen

Patty Smith, Elvis Costello, early Genesis...man I remember watching these back in the day. All top notch performances. All made deep impressions on me. Transformative. Excellent choices!

 

Agreed. There's bits of it in the Amazing Journey documentary. Bill Curbishley gets the call inviting them. No question about it. Some phenomenal moments. Roger comes out with the, "Yeeeeeaaaaah!" after the break in Won't Get Fooled Again. House lights come on. Place erupts. NYFD and NYPD in uniform in the crowd arms raised and cheering. Cathartic. I remember hearing that acts were double checking lyrical content to make sure nothing inappropriate slipped in. The Who just did what they do. Best incarnation since the Moon era. Pete. Rog. John. Rabbit. Zak. Just brilliant.

 

Agreed. We don't see this level of talent anymore! Ian Curtis such a tragic loss...
I like this version better than the one on the album.

 

This is what sprung immediately to mind when I saw the thread title. It'd truly electrifying.

Here's Transmission from the same show. The performance starts about 15 seconds in.

Joy Division - Transmission (High Quality)

 

Bowie on Johnny Carson 1980 performing Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes is out of this world.

 

Iggy Pop with I'm Bored on Countdown in 1979. Marvellous stuff. Interview too. Look it up.

 

Bowie reworking Space Oddity on Kenny Everett in 1979 to chilling effect. Breathtaking.

 

This is a great one.

Daryl Hall and John Oates - She's Gone.

 

I still remember seeing this live -made a huge impression and caused a few headlines -thanks Jimi .So off script destroying the safe comfortable peak time Saturday night BBC scheduling .Noel and Mitch loving it too -all smiles
Jimi Hendrix is pulled off the air on Lulu's show in 1969, BBC Arts - BBC Arts

 

So many great performances on Kenny Everett. I loved this one...

 

And another...

 

Humble Pie _BBC

 

Kraftwerk ROCK

 

Fear on SNL. One of the few times network TV teetered on the brink of sheer anarchy.

 

I was thinking about that one myself.

 

Judy Garland Old Man River. Watch till the last minute. Wow!

 

Please be upstanding for FAMILY : The Weaver's Answer (Beat Club 1970)

 

Any time I see footage of the Beatles, it's always tops. There are fewer things in life which make me happier than the spell those four would weave.

NIRVANA's unplugged performance was transcendent.


But if "electrifying" is the standard (and if you're not above enjoying a little unadulterated, substance-fueled, sleazy rock n' roll at least every once in awhile) then there's one performance which I'd be hard-pressed to deny:



Honorable mention to the opening two numbers ("...Easy," "...Brownstone") of GN'R's February, '88 performance at the Ritz in NYC.

 

I was floored when I first saw this act on this program.