I am an old man now, not 24 with so much more. Sometimes I look in the mirror and sing, “old man, take a look at my life, I’m a lot like you are ….” Neil, your NYA is truly the best site on the internet for traveling through the years. I thank you.
I went to see Buffalo Springfield with some friends at the San Diego Community Concourse Exhibition Hall on December 19, 1967. I was 19. I had not experimented with any substances back then, not even alcohol. I remember that all the attendees were searched or checked before entering. There was a police presence, I think, but no incidents. The Brain Police were the opening act in Keystone Kop uniforms. Security was tight getting in, and everyone sat on the concrete floor. This was a part of my concert-going history…. along with the Beatles’ last concert in Candlestick Park in August 1966 and one of the last of the Fillmore concerts in summer 1971, San Francisco (also sitting on the floor) …the one that had “It’s a Beautiful Day” on the bill.
I also saw Neil when he was scheduled to be backed up by the Stray Gators, with Linda Ronstadt as the opening act. This was on March 31,1973, at the Oakland Coliseum Arena. An (in)famous show. My girlfriend and I were up on the second level viewing the stage from the side. We and the crowd were disappointed with the surprise announcement that Linda Ronstadt would not be performing and was replaced with an unknown (to me) woman singer. When Neil came out alone and sat down, he was at the edge of the stage with a gap between him and the fans/audience with some event personnel in the gap.
After a few acoustic songs, there seemed to be an interchange between Neil and the fans. After a few minutes, Neil walked off the stage. Then a long time of nothing. The crowd was restless. Finally, there was an announcement over the P.A. that Neil was not coming back out. The crowd was clapping and yelling for him to come out, but no. The lights came up. Booing ensued. On leaving to exit the arena, we saw that the outer glass facade of the Coliseum was being hit by rocks that some people in the parking lot or outside the Coliseum were throwing, and glass was breaking. We managed to leave safely. I have read since then that Neil wanted the event staff/security to allow the fans in the “pit” to get closer to the stage and they would not do it, so Neil stopped playing. I have no evidence myself.
The last time was October 13, 2015, when Neil played at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) RIMAC Arena. He played with Promise of the Real as his band and Jenny Lewis was the opening act. Show was great, good sound, good sight lines (5,000 seat capacity). The Monsanto Tour. Mother Earth was praised and was happy that night with Neil’s message.
Thank you, Neil, for your words, music, and your life. As you have said, “Live Music is Better” …. keep on meeting the future…
–David
