Some live performances leave us dumbfounded and unable to forget them for the rest of our days. These iconic moments of rock and roll history did that, and so much more. Here is our list of the Top 5 Best Live Performances in Rock History.

1. The Beatles: Live at Shea Stadium

On August 15th, 1965, the Beatles sold out Shea Stadium in New York City, playing to a crowd of 55,600. The crowd was so loud, the Beatles couldn’t even hear themselves during their 30 minute performance. It was the first ever stadium concert of its kind.

2. Queen's Live Aid Performance

At dual venues Wembly Stadium (London) and John F. Kennedy Stadium (Philadelphia) on July 13th, 1985, a televised concert was broadcast to raise funds for Ethiopian famine. Live Aid had a TV audience of 1.9 billion, making it the biggest-viewed event of its time, and Queen’s performance at Wembly was widely thought of as the show-stealer. It is still cited by many as the greatest live rock performance of all-time.

3. George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh

George Harrison held what was supposed to be a small fundraiser for refugees in Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden on August 1st, 1971. With Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Billy Preston joining Harrison on stage, he concert quickly became one of the most iconic music fundraisers of the 70s.  

4. Peter Frampton: Frampton Comes Alive!

During June 13th and 14th of 1975, once little-known Peter Frampton played two amazing live shows at Marin Civic Center in San Francisco. Although it was the first time Frampton had headlined a show, the recordings of the concert would eventually become the highest-selling live album in rock and roll history.

5. Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock

When guitarist Jimi Hendrix stepped up to the microphone at Woodstock on August 18th, 1969, no one really knew what to expect. What they got was a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” unlike anything they had ever heard before; it still hasn’t been matched today.