I apologise for introducing a line outlining my shock and sorrow at the sad and untimely death of Prince in Stan's 4 Nations thread, which has subsequently been derailed as a result.

Lucky to have seen Prince live on 2 occasions. First time at the NEC in Birmingham in August 1988 on my birthday and second time in Leeds at The First Direct Arena on my daughter's birthday in May 2014. Outstanding and memorable live performer, but not the best.

Best Live performance - Earth, Wind and Fire in Birmingham in 1982 (runner up Rolling Stones at Leeds University 1970)
Worst Live performance - Desmond Dekker in Leicester in 1972 (runner up New Kids on the Block in Birmingham 1991)

Care to share yours?

Went to see the pogues in 89 or 90 got there to find out Shane Magowan had left the band and I was gutted but joe strummer took his place and was excellent and it was great to see one of my hero's when I least expected it on the subject of Prince never really saw the appeal in the same way I never thought much of Michael Jackson

This is gonna be hard Picky, so many choices in both categories. I have been asked this so many times and to be honest I don't have a definitive answer, if pushed my 2 favourite performances would be Pixies at Reading in 1990 or Nirvana at Bradford Uni in 1991.

I seriously doubt I have seen a worse live performance than the one Ray Quim put on at Craven Park earlier this season.

I was never a fan of Prince but recognise his talent, his peak coincided with my student years and so he triggers great memories. Incidentally, watching the news tonight reminded me that I saw Paul Weller at 1st Avenue Minneapolis in 1997. Iconic venue.

I also saw Paul Weller at an iconic venue Hull Ice Arena

James at City Hall in 91 excellent and there at the same venue this year so will be going again 25 years on

Manic street preachers at ice arena 1996.

I can only do the opposite.

I am the ultimate of bad predictions.

I saw Radiohead do a warm up gig in 1991 prior to the release of "Creep" and told everyone they were awful, and saw The Verve support Ride in 1992 and told everyone they were terrible.

Don't feel too bad. The Verve were dreadful.

Well with my age I can say i have seen the Beatles Great and the rolling stones and Manfred man and loads of good groups I thing that is why I have to were deaf aids

The best was Bobby Memphis at Wawne Ferry in 1992. He had the audience in the palm of his hand. The place was rocking.

We had a night out with Bobby Memphis. Highlight was him in full Vegas regalia stood on a table in the lamp doing Burning Love hips arms and gut everywhere. That was a long night.

Best live acts...too many.
Pavement at the Adelphi. P Funk All Stars at some festival or other, pogues and New Order at reading 1989, Bill Hicks at Hull Uni around 1990, Gil Scot-Heron at Manchester on his last tour, Pavement at the Astoria 1991.
Some Big Audio Dynamite gigs, Pulp, The Bays at the big chill in Naxos and many many I've forgot.

Worst the Butthole Surfers....pah.

Best no frills gig was prodigy at brid spa, about 4 years ago, high energy from minute one. Worst was ugly kid joe circa 1993, they were supporting Def Leppard at Sheffield and were just awful!