10 Most Infamous Shows In Rock History
3. The Who in Cincinatti
From the minute the Who first formed, Pete Townshend always had a different way of approaching rock and roll than his contemporaries. Instead of the typical catchy single, Townshend had always wanted to make music that would speak to the listener on a much more visceral level than his counterparts. Then again, having that intense connection with the audience does come at a price sometimes.
As the Who were preparing for a gig in Cincinatti, no one could have predicted the absolute melee that was going on just outside. With a venue that offered a first-come first-serve basis to seating arrangements, many concertgoers ended up mistaking the band's soundcheck for the real thing, causing them to rush the venue and trample some of their fellow rockers in the process. By the time the doors finally did open, there were also medical crews on the scene to tend to the wounded.
Once they were finally taken off the stage, Townshend was informed of the melee, with a number of the kids out front dying from their injuries. Ever since, Townshend has never wanted to revisit the show, saying that he would have considered ending the group right then and there if they had been told before the show. Aside from the ensuing carnage, the Who quickly broke up after this, bringing the days of rock operas and musical marvels to a somber end.