15 Of The Most Memorable Live Performances Since The 1960's

From large arena spectacles to just straight up singing and playing, most people who have grown up in the last half of the 20th Century will remember all of these performances by their favorite artists.

1. The Beatles On "The Ed Sullivan Show"

On the night of the show, many police were needed to prevent the band from being rushed before they even made it onstage. The boys began playing "She Loves You" only seconds after getting to their places.

2. The Beatles At Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965

The height of Beatlemania, a milestone in popular musical history as the first major stadium concert; setting records in attendance and revenue. A ticket cost less than 6 bucks.

3. The Who On The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

Following "My Generation," Pete Townshend smashed his guitar and Keith Moon lit explosives in his drum set. As a matter of fact, Townshend had his hearing damaged and parts of cymbal embedded in his skin due to the blast from the drums.

4. Jimi Hendrix At Woodstock

Hendrix' rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Enough Said.

5. The Jackson 5 On The Ed Sullivan Show 1969

The public's first impression to Michael Jackson. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he would be a star!

6. George Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh

Put together to raise awareness and raise money for Bangladesh following the civil wars. Featured artists such as Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. Set the bar for benefit concerts such as the 12-12-12 Sandy Relief Show also at Madison Square Garden.

7. Led Zeppelin's North American Tour of 1973

More specifically, the three closing nights at Madison Square Garden which provided footage for the concert film "The Song Remains The Same." First concert to break the record of attendance set by The Beatles at Shea Stadium.

8. Peter Frampton's "Frampton Comes Alive"

The album, which was mostly recorded at the Winterland in San Francisco and Long Island Arena in New York, was a breakthrough for Frampton and still one of the best selling live albums to this day. The album was pressed in "automatic sequence", with sides one and four on one record, with sides two and three on the other. This was to make it easier to listen through the whole album on automatic record changers without having to stop.

9. Pink Floyd's The Wall Tour ('80-'81)

Heavy use of theatrics; a large wall was constructed across the stage to convey the feeling of alienation present as the album plays on as well as Roger Water's personal feelings. The last Floyd tour with the classic line-up. Set the standard for dazzling arena tours.

10. Ozzy Osbourne in Des Moines 1982

You might not remember this tour or even performance, but you definitely remember Ozzy taking a nice bite into the bat that was thrown onstage. Yes, it was alive. Ozzy was taken to the hospital right after to test for rabies.

11. Every U2 Show at Wembley Stadium

12. Whitney Houston Singing The National Anthem 1991 Superbowl

Originally recorded to raise money for the troops in the Persian Gulf War. Easily considered one of the best renditions of the Star Spangled Banner and a benchmark for singers forever.

13. NIrvana "MTV Unplugged In New York"

The entire performance was recorded in one take and was first album released after Kurt Cobain's death. It reached #1 on the Billboard charts and was 5x platinum by 1997. The album turned 20 years old on November 18th, 2013

14. Janet Jackson And Justin Timberlake During The 2004 Superbowl

Perhaps the most famous concert blunder of the 21st century. And it happened during the most tuned in televised event in the nation.

15. Billy Joel's "Last Play At Shea"

The last stadium show in the stadium where stadium shows began. Joel surprised the audience with an encore in which Paul McCartney joined him onstage.