It's Only Rock'n Roll
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It's Only Rock'n Roll |
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Stones
NEWS |
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Hackney Diamonds |
Tour 2024 |
Mick Jagger |
Keith Richards |
Charlie Watts |
Ronnie
Wood |
The set list
Show start : 9:50 p.m. Show finish : 11:40 p.m. |
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The great thing about this theatre show, apart from the show itself,
was the fact that many hard core fans did actually get the chance
to buy tickets outside the venue, unlike at the
Roseland show, where many fans had to cry their
hearts out for no chance on the tickets. Don't make me wrong -
the Wiltern ticket was still one the hardest to get for the whole tour,
and many fans did actually pay $600 - $1200 to scalpers and dealers
who had got hold of a few sets of tickets and wristbands. Still,
as the Stones were about to go on stage shortly before 10pm,
a patient group of 50-100 fans who had been in line all day
did actually get their tickets at face value $57 and were in!
Many thanks to the Stones management for this nice gesture to the fans!
Solomon Burke was the perfect warmup. If you haven't had the chance to see the "King of Soul", then try to see him if you can some time. He had a lot of people on stage; at least 22 that I counted, including a young kid age 10 years maximum that showed up on guitar. The sound was great, the song selection perfect, and when he got fans up on stage to sing and dance it was as good as it could get without the Stones. Solomon Burke played for almost an hour, and finished by 9pm sharp. Half an hour went by with stage preparations. Then the lights flashed, to tell everybody to get to their seats. It would still take another 20 minutes before the Stones woyuld be on. Tons of celebrities were there, and mingled with ordinary fans in this great theatre. I saw Neil Young, Mick Fleetwood and many others that sure are celebrities, but I don't know all the names and faces. A more detailed report will follow here shortly. Luckily they had made a front pit, so that people that had queued up all day got a blue wristband, and were allowed to move around of this closed pit of 240 people. It filled up in 10 minutes or so after the doors opened. Downstairs the chairs of the original Wiltern had gone, and upstairs there was a nice balcony. A total of 2,500 or so people were lucky to see the Stones tonight. The set list speaks for itself. It was like a gift, nicely wrapped up with JJ Flash as a starter and HTW, SMU, BS and TD as the finish. The middle part were all great and rare, but I said to myself that I don't really mind hearing the other greatest hits songs as well. Whatever the Stones do it's great, and in such a small theatre, they get the chance to move around on stage, and get closer to the fans. I was about 6-8 feet away from Keith, Mick and Ronnie at times, and that is great! Solomon Burke had to show up on the cover version of the song he wrote many, many years ago of course - Everybody Needs Somebody To Love. His visit was short but powserful. And before he left, they came in with his golden cape, as big as it could fit three of the Stones, according to Keith, and gave it to Mick, saying "To the true king of rock'n'roll". Mick was flattered and tried to put it back on Solomon, but he restisted. If you know how big Solomon is, both literally and music wise, then I aqm sure you understand. "Stray Cat Blues" gave Mick his first chance to freak out totally on stage, and when he did the same on "That's How Strong My Love Is", then I could actually see his eyes were going into circle as he grasped for air in some rare breaks of this fantastic song. I wish more people can see this song. But I really don't know where Mick finds the energy - amazing. Keith seemed to enjoy himself a lot all the way, and he came over to "my" Ronnie side many times. Ronnie did some great guitar playing as usual, and Charlie punched the drums like he always does, hard, steady and simple. It was Darryl night with lots of bass licks as well. Thanks! Another good room...
Oct. 5, 01:35am
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So, during Solomon's set we get a chance to talk with the man - he's asking us for suggestions - we're tossing them out - he's quite impressed that I know his new album as I call for Stepchild (a killer Dylan cover he does on it).
Then, about 30 minutes into his show, one of his stagehands comes over to the catwalk and pulls up a "volunteer" from the crowd. We think they just want a pretty girl to dance with them, but no, they're looking for more. Tim (aka WoodyRichards), my buddy with the matching black tongue dress shirt, hops up and before you know it I'm up there with about 15 or so other fans and we're boogeying to a Little Richard medley! It was surreal. I guess we were up there for 7-8 minutes, but who the hell knows. A Stones security guy is there to make sure we don't get too adventurous and wander backstage - but you could definitely see "Stones activity" back here. I take a peek at the setlist next the Charlie's drumkit - and now I realize just what a killer show we're in for! I call my good buddy in Oregon on the cell phone while on stage - I yell into the phone - "I'm onstage with Solomon Burke." (between sets, I call him back and he says something like, "sounded great - sounded like you said you were onstage with Solomon Burke!" )
After the show, we had many fans give us high-fives and tell us how fun it was to watch us up there. That was cool. I must say, to the best of my memory, I do believe it's the first time Tim and I have actually "opened" for the Stones.
Okay - so now the real fun begins. Others have reviewed the show in detail already so I'll just give you some personal highlights:
Woody was in a very fun mood - he and Mick were having a mock-fight all night. A lotta "fuck you's" were traded back and forth. At one point, Woody was accepting applause from the front-rowers by issuing a personal "fuck you" to each and every one of us! WandrSpirit - it wasn't just your imagination.
Jagger was possessed. SCB and THSMLI, yes - but all night long. He was downright scary at times with the level of intensity. I can't tell you how many times the fans would just stare at each other in disbelief when Mick would turn a line or phrase or expression. Being so close (Mick knocked into my cellphone with his knee during SCB - the guy at the other end of the line was quite amused when I told him that!) - was really surreal. About 3/4 of the way through the show I remember thinking to myself, oh that's right, that's Mick standing next to me (I mean I'm looking at the detail of his tennis shoes - which are about 3 inches from my nose!) - at times I had to pinch myself to remind me what was going on - it was more like a dream than reality.
Neighbours rocked my very foundation. 3rd song of the night, and it literally could have ended there and I would have been satisfied. Keith and Ronnie both fired off heart-palpitating Chuck Berry solo's on this "redesigned" classic.
Beast of Burden was a surprising highlight. They slowed it down - Mick sang with utter passion - including a perfect falsetto during the "pretty, pretty girl" part. Woody's solo was angelic.
Brown Sugar - oh, my. Keith comes racing out to the end of the catwalk and delivers the first two chords. Holy Shit!!!!! I damned near had a coronary right then and there.
Honky Tonk Women - never better. Woody played a raunchy, wicked lick throughout the song, elevating it beyond the norm. All the warhorses sounded INCREDIBLE.
Thru & Thru. Never a favorite of mine (still not) - but Monday's performance was absolutely stunning. Keith nailed the vocals - now I've got the FUCKING BLUES indeed! The jam at the end was positively WICKED. You Don't Have to Mean It was delivered with conviction and perfection as well.
Rock Me Baby - with no special guests. A real treat - Keith on a very good solo - Ronnie on an amazing solo - reminded me of Black Limo circa '81.
Jim Keltner - a personal favorite of mine - joined the band on percussion during CYHMK. On this song, Mick seemed to be especially inspired on the harp solo - very imaginative and creative stuff.
Toward the end of the show, there was a lot of playfulness among the band-members. Mick was having a lot of laughs - at times he couldn't even sing he was laughing so hard.
A final reflection on Charlie - I didn't get too many extended looks at him (how can you when you've got Mick 2-feet from you most of the night and Keith right next to him?). But, every time I did look at Charlie he had a shit-eating grin on his face. He was having an absolute blast. This is not just a job for him, it's clear. He's loving it as much as anyone, which is so cool to realize.
ROCK ON!!!!
The Rolling Stones show at the Wiltern theater, a show of which I have waited for months, planned and plotted the whole experience, was one of the worst shows of my, "well concert attended" life. To be so close and so far really stinks. To stand their knowing that I have seen so many super shows in such a great space, and to know that had the place remained as it was when I last walked out of the venue was painful.
I think the set list and music was superior last night. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go clean my tear ducts of tears that I am yet to shed in response to the worst show of my life!
Doug
A big giant Rolling Stones fan!
Thanks to Harold Colson for the Wiltern outdoor photo!
This page will change over the next few days, as you and other fans send reviews, set lists and reports. Please send your e-mail to IORR. Thanks! For details and great photos from the Rolling Stones and their World Tour get the IORR magazines.
It's Only Rock'n Roll 2002 -
© The Rolling Stones Fan Club Of Europe
