25th anniversary of the most legendary MTV Unplugged performance

[Eldon Tyrell]

On April 10th, 1996, AIC performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Majestic Theater in NYC for MTV Unplugged.

I know some people will disagree and point to Nirvana's, Pearl Jam's or Stone Temple Pilots' appearances (or definitely maybe Oasis?), but for me this is most legendary performance. 

Enjoy 😍

 

[Doctor J]

I find it hard to watch. Staley is in a bad way there and knowing how utterly horrific the time he had left would be, it's easier to listen to the CD than look at the video.

[mr4stringz]

Still makes me emotional after all this time. 

[Rich]

My favourite MTV Unplugged is still George Michael. So much to relish - the layers of vocals (the faces of the backing vocalists are a joy to watch, they're having a ball out there and who wouldn't?), George on top form, great songs and, as an added bonus, Steve Lewinson on the bass. Love it. 

 

 

[Eldon Tyrell]

37 minutes ago, Doctor J said:

I find it hard to watch. Staley is in a bad way there and knowing how utterly horrific the time he had left would be, it's easier to listen to the CD than look at the video.

Agree and Jerry was not in great shape either as he mentions in this interview with Lars Ulrich:

 

[odysseus]

AIC were the pick of the 'grunge' era for me.  Still listen fairly regularly now....

[cetera]

I much preferred KISS' unplugged performance. It showed that there were real 'songs' and genuine talent behind all the flashbombs and pizzazz....

[Eldon Tyrell]

3 hours ago, cetera said:

I much preferred KISS' unplugged performance. It showed that there were real 'songs' and genuine talent behind all the flashbombs and pizzazz....

@cetera, can it be that you are a tiny bit biased here? 😉

 

[Old Man Riva]

5 hours ago, Rich said:

My favourite MTV Unplugged is still George Michael. So much to relish - the layers of vocals (the faces of the backing vocalists are a joy to watch, they're having a ball out there and who wouldn't?), George on top form, great songs and, as an added bonus, Steve Lewinson on the bass. Love it. 

 

 

I think it’s Steve Walters in the George clip - Steve L was playing with Simply Red at the time?

Agree, mind, it’s a great gig... 

I think my favourite MTV Unplugged is the K.D. Lang show - don’t think the video is available anywhere but the show itself is part of the anniversary release of Ingenue. Well worth checking out... 

 

Edited April 10, 2021 by Old Man Riva

[AndyTravis]

6 minutes ago, Old Man Riva said:I think my favourite MTV Unplugged is the K.D. Lang show - don’t think the video is available anywhere but the show itself is part of the anniversary release of Ingenue. Well worth checking out... 

 

Yeah that’s fab - the version of “save me” is a beauty.

I love the AIC unplugged. Much prefer it to the Nirvana and Pearl Jam ones.

[Old Man Riva]

7 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

Yeah that’s fab - the version of “save me” is a beauty.

 

One of my favourite pieces of music of all time, that..! 

[Maude]

7 hours ago, Doctor J said:

I find it hard to watch. Staley is in a bad way there and knowing how utterly horrific the time he had left would be, it's easier to listen to the CD than look at the video.

Absolutely. I love the set on CD, but the video is pain, suffering and heartbreak. 

[scalpy]

17 hours ago, Rich said:

My favourite MTV Unplugged is still George Michael. So much to relish - the layers of vocals (the faces of the backing vocalists are a joy to watch, they're having a ball out there and who wouldn't?), George on top form, great songs and, as an added bonus, Steve Lewinson on the bass. Love it. 

 

 

Damn!

[mikel]

My favourite would have been a more realistic post title. For me, probably Clapton.

[Chiliwailer]

11 hours ago, Maude said:

Absolutely. I love the set on CD, but the video is pain, suffering and heartbreak. 

Not disagreeing with you, the video is haunting - you’ve pretty much described the lyrics there too, AIC can be a hard listen sometimes. 

Edited April 11, 2021 by Chiliwailer

[Cliff Edge]

I never watched many of these but one that stands out in memory is Springsteen. After one song just him and acoustic guitar he said something similar  to feck this, enough. And the band came in and it was electric for the rest of the set.