Before They Were Big These 5 Legendary Artists Played Small Clubs In The Capital Region

Some say "remember when" is the lowest form of conversation. I say it's a nice way to honor the past. We need to share the stories of our lives, whether we were there or not.

Remember when Bob Dylan played Caffe Lena in Saratoga or when Led Zeppelin played Schenectady on Robert Plant's 21st birthday? Let's take a fun trip down memory lane.

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July 1961 - Bob Dylan - Caffe Lena - Saratoga Springs, NY

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According to Blackwing, Bob Dylan’s first show, outside of Manhattan, after moving to New York was at Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street in Saratoga Springs. 

8/20/69 - Led Zeppelin - Aerodome - Schenectady, NY

The Daily Gazette confirms that Zeppelin played the Aerodome, located at 1588 State Street in Schenectady, TWICE on August 20, 1969. There was an 8pm show and 11pm show! Oh, and it was Robert Plant's 21st birthday.

11/13/81 - U2 - JB Scotts - Albany, NY

11/22/85 - Stevie Ray Vaughan - JB Scotts Theatre - Albany, NY

This show took place a couple of years after SRV left David Bowie's band to pursue another direction with his career. Stevie played on Bowie's "Let's Dance" album. Less than 5 years later he had passed away. Here are some highlights from that show:

• Love Struck Baby
• Pride and Joy
• Couldn't Stand the Weather
• Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

October 19, 1974 - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Union College - Schenectady, NY

After agonizing between booking Billy Joel or, the relatively unknown, Bruce Springsteen it was decided Bruce would be the better choice. Tickets for this show cost $2.50.