before they were famous

[Rayge]

Some bands I saw as support to other artists:
Rolling Stones: bottom of the bill to the Evs and Bo Diddley
Yes: supporting Janis
The Police: Honestly can't remember - it might have been Spirit (the Randy, Ed & A. N. Other version)
Stranglers: supporting Patti Smith in 1976 at the Roundhouse.

I also saw Sigur Ros in 1999, supporting GY!BE in Bristol, but I'm not sure they were ever really famous.

If I dig my diaries of the 1970s out, I may find some more, but they're buried deep (the memories and the diaries, somewhere in the attic).

Is Eddie Tenpole famous? Saw him supporting the Undertones in Aberystwyth.

How about you?

[pcqgod]

0n December 8, 1991 I saw Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, and Red Hot Chili Peppers in that order. Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins had both released their debut albums earlier that year but the latter were the buzz band at the time. It wasn't until several months later that Pearl Jam took off and became huge, to the point that them playing before Smashing Pumpkins seemed unthinkable. Then even later Smashing Pumpkins in turn suddenly became huge, eclipsing Pearl Jam again.

[The Slider]

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band opening for Slade in 73
Geordie for Sweet in 73
Squeeze for Dr Feelgood in late 78
Iron Maiden opening for everyone in 79
Def Leppard for AC/DC in 79
Radiohead for James in 93
theaudience for James in 98

[Tom Waits For No One]

John Cougar Mellencamp (as Johnny Cougar) supporting John Miles 78
Human League and Spizzoil supporting Siouxsie & The Banshees 78
Joy Division supporting Buzzcocks 79
Radiohead supporting Kingmaker 92
The Libertines supporting Supergrass 02

[Jumper K]

The Saints supporting The Ramones and Talking Heads at the Roundhouse 77
The Hives supporting the Helicopters and The Pogues Astoria 2000
Sepultura supporting Sodom at The Marquee 90

[Rorschach]

I don't remember them supporting anyone else but I used to see the Pogues quite a lot in pubs round and about London before they got big. I actually supported them once, but from the beginning they either played alone or where top of the bill.

When I saw Talking Heads supporting Ramones, no-one in Leeds had ever heard of them.

[Rayge]

Rorshach's post reminds me I saw Blondie supporting Television in 1977. They blew the latter away

[Samoan]

I don't remember them supporting anyone else but I used to see the Pogues quite a lot in pubs round and about London before they got big. I actually supported them once, but from the beginning they either played alone or where top of the bill.

I saw them perform at a free concert in Kennington Park in 1985.

Terrible racket. No idea why Hatz over in Ca. USA thinks they're so great.

[Rorschach]

I don't remember them supporting anyone else but I used to see the Pogues quite a lot in pubs round and about London before they got big. I actually supported them once, but from the beginning they either played alone or where top of the bill.

I saw them perform at a free concert in Kennington Park in 1985.

Terrible racket. No idea why Hatz over in Ca. USA thinks they're so great.

They were good for a terrific night out back before they released the first album. I couldn't speak for after they got famous.