[flybigjet]

In no particular order for the Best:

Sammy Hagar (solo) in St. Louis in the mid-80's during his "Red Rocker" phase.

Sarah McLachlan, both at Red Rocks and in a regular venue in Denver in the late-2010's. She shut down Red Rocks with nothing more than a piano and her voice.

One Republic at Red Rocks in Denver a few years ago.

Jimmy Buffett in DC on the South Lawn in the mid-90's (Was this even a concert? It was more like a completely out of control beach party with margarita's, music and *lots* of bikini tops).

Scorpions in Seattle in the late-80's.

Boston in Seattle in the late-80's. They were stuck there for some reason (weather?) and most of their gear had already gone. One of my University buds told me that they were playing a short-notice unannounced concert at some tiny venue. We went, and there couldn't have been more than 100-150 people there-- they were on stage with just a drum set and their guitars. They were just flat-out amazing.

And the absolute-hands-down-best?

Warren Zevon. Twice. in the mid-90's and early 2000's. Both times were "hole-in-the-wall" venues, one some place in DC under a bridge and one in Golden. One-man show, a couple hundred people and he just played his heart out. Best. Concert(s). EVER.

R.