Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
Guitarist Joe Perry's mom got her kid's band their first show at Nipmuc Regional High School in Mendon, Massachusetts, on November 6, 1970.
The Crüe first stepped on a stage as a band on April 24, 1981, at the Starwood in West Hollywood, California. "I remember walking down the stairs onto the stage and hardly knowing Tommy and Vince and Mick, but at the same time feeling like I’d known them my whole life," recalled bassist and songwriter Nikki Sixx.
Front man Caleb Followill described the band's first show as "one of the scariest moments" of his entire life. The gig in question took place at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta in 2003.
The band's live debut was on June 8, 1985 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California.
The first official Rolling Stones live performance was at the Marquee Jazz Club in London, on July 12, 1962.
The band first played live for a group of friends and family above a boat house in Seattle on February 19, 1995.
The post-punk outfit, then called Warsaw, played their first show at the Electric Circus in Manchester on May 29, 1977.
Marshall Mathers got booed during his first gig in Detroit in 1996 and found the experience to be quite traumatic. "I just remember it being so traumatic, and I think I went home and I was like, man, I quit.”
On September 7, 1968, The New Yardbirds (as they were called before changing their name) played their first gig at Gladsaxe Teen Club in Gladsaxe, Denmark (pictured).
The Aussie rockers played their first gig in 1973 at Chequers Nightclub in Sydney. The story goes that they played so loud that the club manager cut off their power every 20 minutes.
Entry to the band's first show at Rotherham Arts Centre in July 1980 only cost 60p (less than US$1)!
Founding members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore met at James Hornsby School in Basildon, England. In May 1980, the group played their first show there.
The band's first gig was on February 4, 1983, at Manchester's historic nightclub and music venue The Haçienda.
The Britpop band first hit the stage in June 1989, then under the name Seymour. The gig was actually a birthday party of one of Damon Albarn's relatives. It took place at East Anglian Railway Museum in Wakes Colne, England.
The alternative rockers played their first show in 1986 at Jack's in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "No-one was there and they got our name wrong. We were advertised as the Puxies. That was a bummer," they recalled.
Bowie played a few shows under the name Davie Jones, but his first gig as David Bowie was on October 8, 1965 at London's Marquee Club.
The band's first gig was at their own school in North London. Front man Jack Steadman (aka Mr Jukes) described the 2005 show as "scarring," adding that "it was a bit of a disaster, but it set us up for future disasters to come."
Sources: (The Independent) (WMGK) (NME) (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
See also: The biggest concerts of all time
The band first hit the stage on August 18, 1991, at the Boardwalk club in Manchester. Noel Gallagher, however, was not part of the band just yet. He later joined his brother Liam, and the rest is history.
Matt Bellamy pulled the classic rock 'n' roll move of smashing his guitar at the band's first ever gig in February 1994. This was during a battle of the bands show at Broadmeadow Sports Centre in Teignmouth, England.
English indie rockers Arctic Monkeys played their first show in their hometown, Sheffield. The gig, which took place on June 13, 2003, was at the Grapes Pub. They played two covers during their set: 'Hotel Yorba' by The White Stripes, and 'Teenage Kicks' by The Undertones.
The Cure's first show was actually under the name of Easy Cure. The group was then fronted by vocalist Peter O'Toole (not to be confused with the actor). The show was in 1977 at Saint Edward's Hall in Crawley, England. A few months later, front man Robert Smith joined them and The Cure as we know them was formed.
The New York art rockers fronted by Lou Reed played their first gig in 1965 at Summit High School in New Jersey. The band was paid US$75. Drummer Angus MacLise quit after the gig.
"We were extremely energetic, pushing the drum kit over and smashing guitars. We went down very well, they absolutely loved us," recalled the band in an interview.
"Morrissey had started yodeling by then, and he’d get down on his shoulders and put his legs straight into the air… None of this was rehearsed. I remember watching the faces of the people at the front. It was just shock: 'What the hell is this?'" drummer Mike Joyce recalled in an interview.
According to guitarist Jimmy Page, the band had only practiced for "about 15 hours" before playing their first show. "It was sort of an experimental concert to see if we were any good, I guess," he added.
Their first 'official' show, however, took place a few days later, on February 23 at the Jambalaya Club in Arcata, California. "It was a weight off my shoulders," recalled Dave Grohl.
Caleb Followill recalls what went down that night: "We walked in and saw all the cowboy hats, and I said to the guys, ‘Tonight, these songs will be alternative country.’ We went out there and people were takin’ their cowboy hats off, goin’ ‘Whoo!’."
On November 6, 1976, the punk rock band played their first gig at Saint Martin’s College, in London.
Sting and his bandmates first hit the stage on March 1977 at the Alexandria Club in Newport, Wales.
Kiss' live debut was on January 30, 1973, at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York. They performed for about 10 people.
The band's first ever live performance was actually during a talent contest in their school canteen in Dublin, Ireland. U2 played at St. Fintan's High School in 1977.
Ed Sheeran played live for the first time in 2001 at his school concert when he was just 11 years old. "I often think that if I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m not saying I was great but I had a good reaction. I remember [...] being at home and crying to my dad: ‘I don’t want to do it!’," he recalled.
The Doors played their first show at the London Fog on LA’s Sunset Strip in 1966.
The Beatles made their live debut on February 9, 1961, at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. Back then, Pete Best was on the drums.
A music artist's first live performance is always a memorable one. Though this doesn't necessarily mean it was a good or uneventful one. Some bands and solo artists started their career playing in unassuming places such as their own high schools or local bars. But despite their humble beginnings, all of these music artists became hugely successful years later.
Click through this gallery to find out when and where your favorite music artists first hit the stage, and what went down during the shows.
From humble beginnings to epic performances: Unveiling the memorable first gigs of music artists
One famous band played for just 10 people
MUSIC Live performances
A music artist's first live performance is always a memorable one. Though this doesn't necessarily mean it was a good or uneventful one. Some bands and solo artists started their career playing in unassuming places such as their own high schools or local bars. But despite their humble beginnings, all of these music artists became hugely successful years later.
Click through this gallery to find out when and where your favorite music artists first hit the stage, and what went down during the shows.