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Jeff at Imagine Echoes asks a great question in this post that I haven't yet seen on any blog or meme: Which band(s) would you like to see play live the most, dead or alive? He chose five groups, I'm choosing ten.

1) Afro Celt Sound System

This is an absolute no-brainer for me. The ACSS is an amazing band live (I've seen some of their performances online) and they're also my favorite band of all time. They were scheduled to come up here in 2001, but had to cancel that tour because of the terrorist attacks. That was the year I got into them. Then, in 2003, they tentatively planned Eugene for their summer tour, but canceled that one and did Portland instead. I didn't get to go up to that show. I definitely want to see them before I die, or before they break up.

2) Paul McCartney

Notice I didn't say The Beatles. Who wants to be surrounded by screaming teenage girls and not hear the band playing? I'd still like to see A Beatle, though, and Paul is my favorite of the Fab Four. I don't know how the others are/were at solo performances, but I think Paul would give one hell of a show.

3) Aerosmith

These guys give it their all (now that they're sober!) and they're probably my favorite American rock band. If given a choice between the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith, I'd pick Aerosmith. I want to see Steven Tyler and his scarves on the mic stand at least once before I die.

4) AC/DC

Brian, Angus, Malcolm and the rest are especially known for giving a kickass live show. A concert is really the best place to hear their music, don't you think? Angus is such a showman and a great guitar player to boot. When I think of AC/DC, I think of live performances.

5) The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Preferably this would be the lineup of Jimi, Mitch on drums and Billy Cox on bass. I'd definitely need a good pair of earplugs for this one. Heck, I'd need a good pair of earplugs for most of these bands. No matter, though, because I'd still want to see Jimi rip it up with his guitar. Hopefully he'd play a killer version of Red House and a long version of Voodoo Child. Hopefully Mitch would get a few drum solos too. Jimi is one of my favorites, so there's no way I'd ever boot him from this list.

6) Jeff Buckley

Jeff is another of my favorite musicians. He gave some really good "rock concert" performances after he got famous, but I think I'd prefer to see him in a small club setting. If I had my choice, I'd see him at Sin-E before he got really famous and busy.

7) KISS

Well, why not? I'm not really a fan of their music, but I have to admit they give a great show. I'd want to see the classic lineup, with Peter and Ace. KISS set the standard for rock concert performances, and without that they'd be just another gimmicky band.

8) George Clinton and any one of his numerous bands

Preferably we'd have Bootsy Collins on the bass and Eddie Hazel on the guitar. George actually came here a couple times in the last five years, but I never got to go see him. Hopefully he'll come here again someday, and if he does I do NOT intend to miss him a third time.

9) Dave Matthews Band

This is another band that made its reputation on live performances. They are just awesome live, and I have a DVD to prove it. I don't know how hard to come by their tickets are lately, but at one time they could sell out a venue in a matter of minutes.

10) Johnny Cash

I figured I should have at least one country act on my list, and who's better than the Man In Black? Willie Nelson would be awesome too, but I think Johnny was probably the best live country performer of all time.

Well, that's my list. I've actually been lucky enough to see many great acts already - BeauSoleil, Natalie MacMaster, The Chieftains, Nickel Creek, Jonny Lang, just to name a few. Hopefully this year will bring more great concerts. In the meantime, I'll dream of seeing the artists mentioned above.