i was impressed at 38 special's live performance, and was very impressed by boston in the early 90's. also gotta throw pink floyd in there as well.........

Manhattan Transfer,Sparks, DeFranco Family

being a musician who has been on many stages and behind many drum kits, i have to say that 90% of the bands i've seen can't even play there songs at the tempo at or near which was recorded. mistake #1.........

Saw BOC a few weeks ago.

I was disappointed. In fact, I left before they even finished Godzilla.

I'm sure they were great at one time, but they're just too old. Eric Bloom can barely sing anymore. He sounds like he has laryngitis.

One band that I distinctly remember as being WAY better live than on disc was Jackyl. Saw them open for Ted Nugent and they rocked, went out and bought the CD and it SUCKED.

I'll Put a caveat on the Blue Oyster Cult - I saw clips of them in their prime.

James Taylor.

Although much of his music is too "soft" per my standard liking, when he sings live that guy has soul.

That's all I could come up with, since the OP already listed J. Geils.

Potts-

I saw BOC in 94 or 95. They had already lost their edge by then.