15 greatest concerts in Cleveland history
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Bobby and The Boss. Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Ever since Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed coined the term rock 'n' roll in the early 1950s, the amazing music and performances haven't stopped in Northeast Ohio.
Why it matters: We ranked the 15 greatest concerts in Cleveland history, revisiting the area's most memorable performances.
State of play: The list features shows by Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and more.
What's next: You can read our features on each show below.
No. 15: Michael Jackson's Bad Tour
By the time Michael Jackson's Bad Tour descended upon Richfield Coliseum in October 1988, it was well on its way to becoming one of the biggest in music history.
No. 14: Lollapalooza 1991
The first-of-its-kind touring rock festival was already halfway through its inaugural run when it descended upon Blossom Music Center on Aug. 5, 1991.
No. 13: The Pretenders seek revenge
On March 17, 1980, The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde returned to Northeast Ohio with revenge on her mind.
No. 12: Rush's Time Machine
Rush performed in Northeast Ohio more than 30 times, but it was the band's April 15, 2011, concert that would forever be immortalized.
No. 11: The Black Keys' secret show
The Black Keys' concert at Beachland Tavern on May 7, 2008, was about getting back to the Akron duo's roots.
No. 10: Pink Floyd's stadium flyover
Even by Pink Floyd standards, the band's June 25, 1977, World Series of Rock concert at Cleveland Municipal Stadium was a wild ride.
No. 9: Nine Inch Nails reunion
Nine Inch Nails' reunion concert at Blossom Music Center saw Trent Reznor bring back former band members, some of whom hadn't played with the band in nearly 20 years.
No. 8: The Rolling Stones' 1975 stadium gig
The Rolling Stones' June 14, 1975, concert at Cleveland Municipal Stadium drew an estimated 82,000 people — the largest concert crowd seen in Northeast Ohio up to that point.
No. 7: Led Zeppelin's Destroyer
Led Zeppelin's April 27 performance was recorded from the soundboard at Richfield Coliseum and would make the rounds as "Destroyer," one of the most popular bootlegs in music history.
No. 6: Beatlemania
The Fab Four's concert on Sept. 15, 1964, at Public Hall sparked two days of fan frenzy unlike anything Northeast Ohio had ever seen.
No. 5: American Music Masters
In 1996, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame launched its American Music Masters concert series with a tribute to folk music icon Woody Guthrie.
No. 4: Moondog Coronation Ball
Cleveland's claim to being the birthplace of rock 'n' roll goes back to one event — the Moondog Coronation Ball.
No. 3: David Bowie's debut
When David Bowie took the stage in Cleveland in 1972, he was a British musician still looking for his big break in the United States.
No. 2: Springsteen at the Agora
Bruce Springsteen might hail from New Jersey, but Cleveland has felt like his home away from home since a famous 1978 concert at the Agora.
No. 1: Concert for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
When the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opened in September 1995, it did so not just with the biggest concert in Cleveland history, but with one of the greatest music showcases of all time.