The Rolling Stones
Superbowl Halftime, Detroit, MI, USA
Sunday, February 5, 2006

First, a little background. A call went out about a month before the game for 2000 volunteers to "act" as an audience for the Don Mischer-produced extravaganza. Are you kidding me? My brother and I jumped at the opportunity to see the Stones for free in our hometown. The commitment was a serious one. We were subjected to a ton of downtime and waiting during over 14 hours of rehearsal time spread out over two days. Believe me, it was worth it.

During the dress rehearsal in Ford Field Friday night before the game, we got The Rolling Stones, live, for a sound check and complete run through including lighting, cameras, and pyro. How cool. They worked effortlessly through Start Me Up, Rough Justice, and Satisfaction three times. Twice in front of all of us and once with us sequestered in the tunnel leading to the field. What an amazing vibe with 2000 people waiting in the wings all rocking and bouncing to a sing-along of Satisfaction. Between takes, my brother and I got to meet a few of the very cool Stones' crew (Thanks Shep!) and even got an autograph from Chuck Leavell.

Now, on with the Show! On a Tongue-shaped stage designed exclusively for this event, The Stones ripped through their set. We watched the show from the lower right side of the lips, not our designated mandatory pre-rehearsed show position. But hey, after all, I'm a fan not a prop. No surprises, no special guests. Just pure rock and roll. Just the way it should be.

SuperBowl Sunday in Detroit. Only The Rolling Stones could make me excited AND nervous on a show day. The Steelers won the game, 21-10, and we had a blast. What an event!

ABC did a nice job during the game of highlighting the band's appearance during their time-out scrolls and commercials, adding to the excitement.

What the network didn't do was an even job on the cameras. (Yes, Mick is the lead singer, but respective longer shots of the rest of the band would have been nice, i.e. on Ronnie for his solo on 'Start Me Up' or on Keith for his solo turn on 'Satisfaction' come to mind!!)

The stage was outstanding�..a large version of their famous tongue logo, and a stage similar to the elliptical heart design used recently by U2. It gave some of the crowd a chance to be "inside of the tongue" while the band played around them.

'Start Me Up' was the logical choice as an opener, one that the NFL uses at most of it's stadiums, and one that the band used to open last fall's tour dates. ABC's commentators, including Chris Berman, genuinely seemed hyped and proud to announce "The Rolling Stones".

The sound seemed muddy at first, with Ronnie's guitar unfortunately turned down until mid-way through his solo. The bass also seemed way too high. But, with a 5 minute stage set-up time as the first half game highlights were played, and without a proper tour-style tune-up, this was to be expected. Also expected, once the song started, was the politically correct deletion by the TV network of the signature line of "You make a dead man come". ABC can have programs on the air with graphic violence, or doctors getting it on in back rooms (their "Grey's Anatomy" program that followed!!), but Mick can't be heard singing this line!!!!

The band looked in great form as they segued into 'Rough Justice'. Keith and Ronnie again tore into the track's distinctive opening with passion and a goal��.to show any critics and the nay-sayers how wrong they are! (I get frustratingly angry at these critics who focus solely on the band's age or questioning the rationale of a new album and tour!!) While an easy second song choice would have been another of their classic standards, I was glad that a new track got some exposure! (Without new tracks getting some legs, you will not have additional classics in their archives!) Another excellent version, and their techs got the sound better! The censors, though, struck again with deleting 'cocks' from the first round lyrics. Fans of the band, though, were singing along and knew EXACTLY what the correct versions of each song were!

It was also nice to see a stripped-down version of the band, similar to their 1978 Tour��lean and mean! Chuck Leavell was shown on the side, but there was no horn section, and the combo of Bernard Fowler/Lisa Fischer/Blondie Chaplin accenting the harmonies equally were not visible/present.

The came their closer with 'Satisfaction', with Mick referencing the fact that this could have been sung as a newer track for Super Bowl I. In my opinion, another excellent choice!!! In 'Rough Justice' and 'Satisfaction' combining for a 1-2 punch, you have two songs that book-end a 40-plus year career!!! Some acts are hard-pressed to do that in a 4 year span, rather than a 4-decade one!! Keith absolutely tore into this with the passion he must have had in 1965!! And Charlie was again the driving force, showing the skill and the elegance that is Charlie Watts! Again, the cameras could have focused more on the other members of the band, especially Keith during his solo!

Then, with their set complete, the class act band did a class act gesture���their hand-in-hand bow to the audience! In concert, this is a welcomed close to their show, one more chance to acknowledge their audience. But that is for a concert crowd, not one geared towards football. Nice again to show the masses, especially to those not directly interested in the band, to what is so damn appealing about The Rolling Stones! Their image, their attitude, their professionalism!

I've seen the Stones numerous times in the area since their '81 Tour (recently their stop in hometown Milwaukee this past September, and their recent 3 stops in Chicago in September and January), and was very glad that they put out a powerful showing for the masses during a quick set!

Thank you Mick, Keith, Charlie, and Ronnie! Hope to see you in the area again soon!

Good health and cheers to all as you begin the South American/European legs of the tour!

'Rough Justice' : Keith mixed even LOUDER, if such a thing is possible. Charlie almost inaudible for at least much of the song. Fairly chaotic but energetic and inspiring. 'But am I just one of your COCKS?' Last word censored.

'Satisfaction' : Keith and Ronnie both loud. Keith playing the trademark guitar riff - sometimes on 3 strings at once! Very wild version and a lot of fun.

Hope everyone liked this short, loud, very real Rolling Stones set!

Greetings, IORR folks, from a very pleased attendee of the Baltimore First Mariner Arena show earlier this week.