In the early 80s, I saw Jeff Beck on the There & Back tour at the Hammersmith Odeon. This still rates as one of my top 3 gigs of all time. Although everyone was great, it was Simon Phillips’ drum solo that had everyone on their feet. I was expecting the usual bore fest that drum solos normally are, but SP’s energy, speed, accuracy, musicality and just sheer stamina were a sight to behold. Just as soon as you thought it was over, or he was going for the obligatory slow section, he just launched full speed into another round of virtuosity. I’ve never seen the like since.
I also saw Segovia at the Festival Hall on the Southbank. He must’ve been 80 at the time and shuffled on stage very slowly and I was ready to be embarrassed for him. Not at all. As soon as he sat and took up his playing position, the years fell away and he just ripped up and down the fretboard. A proper moment.