AFTER more than 50 years of reviewing rock and roll gigs, pop shows and festivals, I’m often asked what my favourites have been, the nights that have made the most impact on me as a writer and as a fan – and it’s always a tough choice to make.

Here, however, is my latest stab at it. These are the 20 gigs that spark my memories and stir the emotions, presented – in tried and tested, time-honoured, tradition – in reverse order.

20. ZZ TOP, Castle Donington … August 20, 1983

The first time I ever saw the Texan trio. Bearded and wearing revolutionary Che Guevara-style berets and camo on this outing, they blew the headliners away with their Tube Snake Boogie.

19. DIANA ROSS, Palace Theatre, Manchester … March 27, 1976

Diva Diana served up a spectacular ‘Evening With’ show backed by a 60s-style silhouetted orchestra on scaffolding, and a setlist that boasted all the Motown magic and solo soul you could ask for.

18. PAUL McCARTNEY, NEC Arena… January 3, 1990

Macca’s return to the stage for his first full British concerts in 13 years and, boy, was it worth the wait! Still in good voice, he ripped through an unashamed retro set of Beatles, Wings and solo hits.

17. THE MUTTON BIRDS, Flapper & Firkin, Birmingham … April 17, 1998

I’d loved New Zealand’s finest after hearing the band’s 1986 album Envy Of Angels, and this was a rare chance to see them up close and personal in the suffocating surrounds of the famous Brum pub.

16. JON BON JOVI, off the coast of Palma … August 28, 2019

The New Jersey rocker was all at sea when I caught his shows with the virtuoso Kings of Suburbia on a cruise ship in the Med. Two Runaway To Paradise shows included huge hits and classic covers.

15. TINA TURNER, United Center, Chicago … October 4, 2008

Spectacular show by the late Tina Turner on the world tour that was filmed for a TV special. She sang Nutbush City Limits on a crane high above the crowd, strutting along it on high heels!

14. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & JOHN FOGERTY, Hyde Park, London …  July 14, 2012

Two of my rock and roll heroes on the same bill made this a must-see. The Boss came out to duet with John on Rockin’ All Over The World, and Fogerty repaid the favour on The Promised Land.

13. LUCINDA WILLIAMS, The Assembly, Leamington Spa … July 29, 2009

I’d been a fan of Louisiana Lu ever since I heard one of her songs on the PA at the Birmingham Songwriters Festival, and finally got to see her from front and centre stage with the brilliant Buick Six.

12. PRINCE’S TRUST Rock Gala, Wembley Arena … June 20, 1986

The programme only told half the story. Unannounced special guests included Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and David Bowie who jammed with all the rest for a fantastic finale!

11. THE WHO, Giants Stadium, New Jersey … July 3, 1989

One of two gigs by The Who in my top 20. I was invited out to New Jersey to see the band play two nights at the now sadly demolished Giants Stadium, and got to spend time with them in New York.

10. MAGNA CARTA, The Deanwater, Woodford … July 1975

One of those rare times when everything comes together for a magical memory. The folkies, with Davey Johnstone on lead guitar, played their Lord Of The Ages outdoors under a starry night sky.

9. MICHAEL JACKSON, Wembley Stadium, London … July 14, 1988

His legacy may be tainted but that’s no reason to cancel the musical talent and showmanship of Michael Jackson, whose show on the Bad tour at the old Wembley Stadium was an absolute barnstormer.

8. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, LG Arena, Birmingham… November 9, 2006

The second Springsteen show in my list, but very different from the Hyde Park rock show. This was the Boss with his Seeger Sessions Band, serving up atmospheric Americana with joyous abandon.

7. LED ZEPPELIN, Hardrock, Manchester … December 8, 1972

I’d queued for hours to secure tickets (no internet back then!) and been rewarded with good seats in the former bowling alley. This was Zeppelin in their prime, touring the legendary fourth album.

6. THE BYRDS, Free Trade Hall, Manchester … May 11, 1971

The first gig I ever went to. Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, Skip Batten and Gene Parsons played a powerful set including an Eight Miles High that they jammed on for 20 minutes. Sensational!

Read more: How I ended up seeing The Byrds by accident

5. LIVE AID, Wembley Stadium, London … July 13, 1985

The biggest gig of all time and unforgettable, even if the show dragged at times. Queen, U2, Elton John and David Bowie were the Wembley winners. We could all be heroes just for one day.

Read more: How I relived Live Aid forty years later

4. THE WHO, Charlton Athletic FC, London… May 18, 1974

Second nod to The Who, and a gig that saw them in their prime, supported by Lou Reed, Humble Pie, Bad Company, Lindisfarne, Maggie Bell and Montrose. See Me Feel Me never sounded better.

3. CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, Free Trade Hall, Manchester … September 1, 1971

My youth was soundtracked by Creedence, so I wrote to them, asking if they’d come to Manchester. Cue only two UK dates, in London and Manchester! A greatest hits set was a fanboy’s dream.

Read more: The night Creedence answered my plea

2. DAVID BOWIE, LG Arena, Birmingham … November 19, 2003

I’d seen Bowie before but always found his gigs impressive rather than drop dead enjoyable. The Reality Tour found him at his crowd-pleasing best with a marathon setlist peppered with classic hits.

1 QUEEN, Wembley Stadium, London … July 11, 1986

They’d made a comeback at Live Aid, and now Freddie Mercury & Co played the band’s ultimate gig, powering through all the classics in a coronation performance that they never bettered.

That’s my current thinking. What have been YOUR favourite gigs? Post your answers in the comments box!