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6 Rock Bands and the Stories of Their First Gigs

Even though these bands have gone on to perform in front of massive crowds, every band had to start somewhere. Yes, never forget that even the most popular bands in…

Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith perform live on stage at the Wells Fargo Center on September 02, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Lisa Lake/Getty Images

Even though these bands have gone on to perform in front of massive crowds, every band had to start somewhere.

Yes, never forget that even the most popular bands in the world have humble beginnings. More often than not, these acts played in half-empty rooms in front of just a handful of people. Those people were likely friends or family. Worse, many of these bands would likely tell you some of their early shows were in front of even less than that.

However, it's in those moments where bands often remember how those very first shows really allowed them to cut their teeth. They helped bands realize their performance style and truly craft who they were. If you were among the lucky few who saw a band in a tiny venue before they blew up, those shows are often a badge of honor for the fan. There is something so special about seeing a band from its early beginnings grow into something grand before your eyes. There's a good chance that whoever was at these gigs, those people talk about them fondly and with pride.

The bands highlighted in this list cover a unique swath of rock history. Three of them have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It wouldn't be outrageous for the other three bands to be inducted one day, either. The dates of these first shows span took place in the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. The youngest band on our list had their first show in 1997 when the founding members were 13 and 10, respectively. This band literally had their dad play their show with them. Now, they play arenas

With this in mind, here are six bands and the main details about their first gigs. Some of them will undoubtedly surprise you.

Aerosmith

GettyImages-1020303600-scaled.jpgJamie McCarthy/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: (L-R) Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Joe Perry, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith attend the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)


The Rolling Stones

GettyImages-72591622.jpgKeystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards opening fan mail during the early days of the band, circa 1963. (Photo by Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)


Motley Crue

GettyImages-1186745288-scaled.jpgEmma McIntyre/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 04: (L-R) Tommy Lee, Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, and Mick Mars of M?tley Cr?e attend the press conference for THE STADIUM TOUR DEF LEPPARD - MOTLEY CRUE - POISON at SiriusXM Studios on December 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM)


Foo Fighters

GettyImages-922455298-scaled.jpgJohn Phillips/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** (L-R) Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters, winner of the Best International Group award, pose in the winners room during The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)


Muse

GettyImages-1063417336-scaled.jpgDave J Hogan/Getty Images

BILBAO, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: (L-R) Dominic Howard, Matt Bellamy and Chris Wolstenholme of Muse attend the MTV EMAs 2018 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) on November 04, 2018 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for MTV)


Halestorm

GettyImages-1097370502-scaled.jpgNeilson Barnard/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Halestorm attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights