I know this is a long posting but I hope that the details of my personal experience are worthwhile for anyone interested in this event in Stones history.

To some Stones historians, this date marks the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the "modern" Rolling Stones era of live performance; expanded musical spectacles filling huge stadium and arenas around the world. However, the dream of every diehard Stones fan is to see the band in a small club setting. I finally lived my dream in 1989. Although it’s been 20 years, the details and emotions I recall here are fresh, having been excerpted directly from my personal Steel Wheels tour diary (I attended 13 US gigs, ending with the last shows in Atlantic City).

During the summer of 1989 there had been no live Rolling Stones performances in the US for nearly 8 years. I attended the last shows in Hampton, Virginia and, like all my Stones fan friends, had endured a period of extended deprivation. Hard to imagine now, but there was no internet or cell phones and we relied on a network among a small group of diehard East Coast US fans, some with inside contacts. Excitement grew as we passed rumors of the band rehearsing for their upcoming “reunion” tour at a secret location in suburban Connecticut. About 3:30 PM on Saturday August 12th I got the call at my Philly home from a close friend and fellow collector, Mr. D, telling me that a surprise gig was set for that night at a small club in New Haven called Toad’s Place. I confirmed details from friends in New York and called the club for directions. At this late hour, I was skeptical of our chances, but we had to try. I jumped in the car and picked up Mr. D about 4:30 and headed north out of Philly on the NJ Turnpike in a drenching rainstorm.

During the drive we fought the urge to become too excited because of the likelihood of a painful disappointment. The gas pedal was jammed whenever possible and we nearly screamed with anxiety when we hit a massive traffic jam at the George Washington Bridge entering NYC. Panicking, I drove the car over a raised median barrier to get to a faster moving lane and zoomed north out of Manhattan. It was getting late now and our only hope was that secrecy had been maintained and all of the New York area Stones fans weren’t already there ahead of us.

We arrived in New Haven about 8:45 and our worst fears emerged as we saw the size of the crowd milling around the neighborhood outside the club. Someone came up to the car window and delivered the bad news that only people on the guest list were being allowed in the door. Apparently, if we’d arrived by 8:00, we would have been admitted with the regular bar crowd who thought it was a typical evening with a DJ and a three dollar cover charge. The line at the door was hopelessly stalled, consisting of fans like us who weren’t on the guest list and were praying for some last minute opportunity.

We checked out the rear entrance and attempted to drop a few names with the security crew, but failed. It looked increasingly bleak as reality began to set in with the prospect of a long sad ride home.

Returning to the line in front, we met two NYC buddies, journalist Bill German and archivist Video James, who had just arrived and were checking out the scene. They both usually had pretty decent connections, so we pushed up to the head of the line with them and tried to act like we belonged there. We morosely watched a group of well-healed record company types get out of limos and go inside. They sure didn’t look like diehard Stones fans to me. Just then,longtime friend of the band, Freddy Sessler shows up and James shoves our pal Mr. D into the door behind him announcing “He’s Freddy’s guest!". Then James and Bill gave their names to the girl with the guest clipboard and were surprised to learn that they had been left off the guest list, despite their connections. We sulked and schemed some more. Mr. D. had now been inside for about 15 minutes and I was terribly jealous and desperate to try anything. There is nothing worse than standing helplessly outside the venue when you know the boys are playing inside. It was every man for himself at this point and the situation called for some desperate Stones fan strategy (and luck).

One of my standard Stones tour tactics was to become listed as a member of the press with the Stones’ public relations firm. This year I had signed up with Rogers & Cowen in New York, and had already received the collectable Steel Wheels press kit. So I went up to the gatekeeper girl with the clipboard and claimed I was with Rogers & Cowen, using the names of people that worked at the firm. She seemed to regard me seriously and let me hang by the door as she dealt with more newly arriving “guests”. While she was distracted with the new arrivals I twisted to sneak a sideways glance at her clipboard and, reading upside down, looked for a name I could use. I settled on one and as she turned back to me I said “Look, I might be listed under Mottola”. She scanned the list, found the name, looked up at me, and said “Tommy?” I said “Yeah”. She nodded, crossed off the name and I scrambled inside [no wristbands or stamps needed then]. I later learned that Tommy Mottola was a music biz executive, President of Columbia Records, eventually marrying and divorcing Mariah Carey.

Once inside, I immediately tried to lose myself in the crowd for fear that the real Tommy Mottola might arrive at any minute and have me viciously ejected. I allowed myself a quiet whoop for joy as it began to sink in that I had finally made it into a Stones club show. My only remorse was the friends still out on the sidewalk with little or no chance of gaining entrance. [Check out Bill German's account of how he ultimately succeeded in his excellent book "Under Their Thumb"].

It was about 9:30 now and a local band was on stage doing covers. I went over to a rear bar, bought a Toad’s Place T-Shirt (good for smug gloating while wearing it at future Steel Wheels shows) and had a drink to calm my nerves. My heart was pounding and I wanted to slow time and savor every moment. I was in no real hurry for the Stones to take the stage as I enjoyed basking in the anticipation of what I was about to see; thinking about the long wait since the closing bows at the final Hampton show in December 1981. [See Marilou Regan's great book "Love You Live" for my excellent adventure crashing Keith's birthday party in Hampton].

When the opening act had finished, I staked out a position in the packed mob about 15 feet in front of the stage and continued reminiscing about all my travels over the years to see the Stones perform, and my ultimate wish to see them play in a small club setting. I was feeling rewarded for my 25 years of loyalty. If there is a Rock’n’Roll God, he was smiling on me now. I had worshipped and sacrificed at the alter since I was 10 years old and first heard Not Fade Away on my tiny transistor radio, tucked under my pillow while my parents thought I slept. I was also quite annoyed at the many local college kids who did not deserve to be there.

The Show: I was standing there defending my turf for about 30 minutes when the lights came down, the crowd surged and began to howl and whistle. At 10:35 the band walks on stage one by one and plugs in. Somebody announces, “The Rolling Stones”, and they launch into Start Me Up. The mix is murky and the opening chords seem buried but the overall effect is incredible; just to see that the gig is a reality. I am there, and the Stones are playing in my face. The stage is low and I can only see them from the waist up, viewed over the shoulders of the fans in front. Next is Bitch, my biggest surprise of the night, not played live since 1972-3. The sound has kicked in crisply now. Horns seem to be coming from somewhere, maybe keyboards, but not visible. Mick has on a bright blue coat and a zigzag tour tongues T-shirt. He dances with lots of energy [for a guy in his mid-40's, ha-ha], tightly confined to the small stage. Tumbling Dice follows and I see a trio of back-up singers for the first time. Next Sad Sad Sad, a new song I never heard before with screeching runaway three guitar jangle. Miss You follows, mercifully short and streamlined with more swing than in 1981. Little Red Rooster, a rarity done in classic blues style leads into a rollicking Honky Tonk Women. Next, we are treated to the first public performance of the new single Mixed Emotions (not even on the radio yet). It has a buzz saw guitar sound reminding me of Keith’s Take It So Hard, building to a classic Stones ending climax. Ronnie and Keith (red coat and sleeveless black T-shirt) seem serious and subdued as they concentrate on their playing, especially on the new numbers. It’s Only Rock’n’Roll follows and it's a great crowd pleaser. We haven’t heard that one live since ‘75-’76; maybe the hottest song of the night. [Nobody cared about too many old warhorses back then].

I complete my ascent into heaven as Keith strokes the opening chords of Brown Sugar. [Houseboy knows he's doin' alright]. Charlie’s kicking’ ass with a really sharp snare sound, looking older than I expected. Bill just stands in the same place and smirks the entire time while laying down the bottom rumble. They finish with Jumping Jack Flash, starting with the extended guitar intro used on the studio recording. Now Keith is really showing his trademark moves on the small stage as they finish with a throbbing frenzy of guitars and drums. They all leave the stage after Mick announces “We gotta go home and work on some bridges”, referring to tightening the musical shifts between verse and chorus. Yeah, they made a few mistakes. Who cares?

The entire performance lasted 55 minutes and, no matter how hard I tried to focus my senses and absorb every note and nuance, it seemed to be over in a flash. After the band left and it was obvious there would be no encore, I wandered back to the bar to find the few friends who made it inside. All we could do was shake our heads and grin. The long wait was over. More shows to come.

Mr. D and I drove back to Philly on pure adrenaline, talking and listening to his tape of the show. By 4:00 AM I was lying in my own bed, next to my oblivious wife and 4 month old son [He's 20 now and likes AC/DC and Kings of Leon]. I drifted off thinking about the upcoming Steel Wheels tour and how I might actually be able to put up with gigantic stadium shows for awhile. I always wondered if Tommy Mottola had any trouble getting into Toad’s Place that night. If he did, he can now understand why.

HBK

FANTASTIC STORY! A really great read, thanks so much for sharing with us. WOW! You really had some good Jim Rockford strategies! HAT's off to ya! You are a very good writer as well, and I was captivated by your recollections. THANKS AGAIN! Great stuff!

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks a lot for sharing, HouseBoyKnows!

<They finish with Jumping Jack Flash, starting with the extended guitar intro used on the studio recording.>

Ha ha, they did! Must be the only time they've did it



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009-08-12 15:29 by DandelionPowderman.

thanks for the memories

X



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2018-08-18 13:41 by UrbanSteel.

Great post. After seeing the Stones once in 1982, I was almost certain that would be the only time I'd ever get the chance (and by the time all the mid 80s shite was going on, I was utterly convinced there'd neverbe another time).

Remember that 1989 tour announcement and then reading the reports of the club shows, with all the ensuing media coverage of the start of the tour like it was yesterday. What a thrilling summer that was - even from THIS side of the pond. The anticipation waiting almost a year to see the band in Europe was almost unbearable at times. When I finally did get the chance (in Paris), it was such a thrill after eight long years of uncertainty that I could have happily walked out satisfied after one minute of the show.

I laughed out loud at the Tommy Mottola bit. If you'd used that line a couple of years later you might have got lucky with Mariah.

That's a great story but I thought this quote was a little curious:

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HouseBoyKnows
I was also quite annoyed at the many local college kids who did not deserve to be there.
HBK

Why did they not deserve to be there?

LOVE IT!!! I also laughed out loud at the Tommy Mottola bit - good one!

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Goldsmith
That's a great story but I thought this quote was a little curious:

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HouseBoyKnows
I was also quite annoyed at the many local college kids who did not deserve to be there.
HBK

Why did they not deserve to be there?

I think he's talking about the feeling you get when you know diehards are outside gagging to be inside and there are people inside who are not particularly fans but are just having a regular night out and probably don't care whether they're there or not.

Great story!

...and beautifully recounted.

Great story! I grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut but was a tad too young to make it the Steel Wheels tour. This sounds like it could be an exert from Bill German's book. Thanks for sharing!

Great story, thanks

-------------------
Keep On Rolling

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Beast

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Goldsmith
That's a great story but I thought this quote was a little curious:

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HouseBoyKnows
I was also quite annoyed at the many local college kids who did not deserve to be there.
HBK

Why did they not deserve to be there?

I think he's talking about the feeling you get when you know diehards are outside gagging to be inside and there are people inside who are not particularly fans but are just having a regular night out and probably don't care whether they're there or not.

That's right Beast. I'd love to see more college age kids become Stones fans. However, that night there were dozens (New Haven is home of Yale Univ) who just happened to be there by luck with real fans almost crying in the street outside. I remember one guy asking his friend when they came on stage, "Which one is Keith?"

HBK

I was one of those die-hard fans that were outside that night
but i put my ear to the window and they still sounded fine
watching the Stones run out of Toads onto their bus was a sight that still brings a grin to my face!
A great moment to be a Stones fan!!!!!

Incredible story, House Boy. Loved it! Felt like I was right there with you, living it! Thank you very much.

(Also dug the comment that there were no cell phones or internet back then...how did we ever manage??



And whitem8-- your reference of "Jim Rockford!" Years ago when I didn't have a ticket for a TV taping of a music show, I BS'd my way in and later told my friends that I "pulled a Rockford!" Reading your comment was just great [as was the tale of your David Bowie encounter. Lots of good reads on iorr this week.]



I can just imagine Tommy Mottola having a hissy fit. Like something on Entourage. Using his name was the icing on a beautiful cake.

I kind of used to sneak into shows that way, but not by dropping names at the door. At some events photo pass holders are to meet inside the venue, usually a production enterance or loading area about 30 - 45 minutes before the headliner goes on. Once inside a building rep or artist rep will meet the gathering photographers and distribute the passes about 15 mins before the performance and then escort the gathering photographers to the barricade area.

I would say I am with the photographers and whoever was working the door would just motion to wait inside at a particular spot. The local security usually does not have a list or require you to have a ticket. They are instructed to just point where to wait. It helps to have a small camera with you.

During the set change there will be a ton of people wandering around. Just casually lose yourself in the crowd or say to someone in case they have building personnal hanging with you ask where the restroom is. Just get lost in the crowd.

This worked everytime. I did not get carried away and show up at every major concert. Also, do not bring a guest. Look professional and not like a fan. Example: Do not wear a U2 shirt to a U2 show.

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Hound Dog
Great story! I grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut

Interesting...I live in Fairfield, CT

I don't want to start a warhorses complaint discussion here, but as I continue to reminisce about the Stones return to touring in 89 and look at the Toad's setlist, consider the perspective from that period. They had not performed Bitch since the Taylor era and IORR since the mid-70s. So that was exciting. One big rarity, Rooster. Two brand new songs from Steel Wheels. SMU was not yet a warhorse. Leaving Dice, JJF and HTW as the only so-called warhorses. And if memory serves, HTW was rarely if ever played during 81-82. However, even then I already hated the waste of good set list space for Miss You. In my diary I called it "mercifully short". I still cringe when I see that on set lists but have learned to appreciate its funkiness in small doses and the 45 rpm vinyl extended mix still blasts nicely on my stereo on occasion.

HBK

Thanks much for sharing your Toad memories here, HouseBoy
Actually HTW was a live staple in 81-82

<HTW was rarely if ever played during 81-82>

??

"I later learned that Tommy Mottola was a music biz executive, President of Columbia Records, eventually marrying and divorcing Mariah Carey."

He was also sung about in a Dr. Buzzard song. He actually had a good rep up until the Mariah stuff.

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Sohoe

Actually HTW was a live staple in 81-82

Must have been a brain freeze . . .middle age you know. Should have done a fact check. How can I forget seeing Mick and Tina duet at the Meadowlands shows in '81. Good thing I decided to keep a diary for the Steel Wheels tour.

HBK

Great !! thanks for posting !

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HouseBoyKnows
Good thing I decided to keep a diary for the Steel Wheels tour.
HBK

More threads like this one coming?

Great story, nicely written.
that's the good stuff - keep 'em coming.

Hey thanks, Urban Steel - I'm listening right now - sounds great!

does anyone have some pics to illustrate this special event?

What a great show! Great singing by Mick! I wish he still sounded like that. Is that Keith singing backing vocals at the end of Start me Up?!?

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DandelionPowderman
Thanks a lot for sharing, HouseBoyKnows!

<They finish with Jumping Jack Flash, starting with the extended guitar intro used on the studio recording.>

Ha ha, they did! Must be the only time they've did it

I know they have done versions of JJF in recent years where Keith starts with some variation of the extended studio intro before kicking into the main riff. They were not consistent with it and I'm sure there are people on this board who can identify those shows from the boots.

HBK