Should I see the Rolling Stones?

[TwiningB]

So, the Stones will be in Australia in a few months, and the presales are just starting today. I've never seen them. It's widely expected that they won't ever tour Australia again. (Legitimately, how much longer can Keef live?)

What's the deal now? Are they a good show, and something I should see once? Or are they a horrifying travesty that I should spurn?

[cashew]

I do not believe I would spend the necessary money to go see the Stones these days, as I do not have a large amount of discretionary money to spend on these types of shows (too old, seems too much like a 'hits only' show). That said, if Neil Young came anywhere near here, I would spend what is necessary to see him. I suppose it is all personal preference...

[Rick V]

If $ is not the issue then I'd do it to see Keith Richards. But I'd also go with low expectations.

[monkeyboy]

If it's not crazy expensive, I'd go. I saw them on the Voodoo Lounge tour and they were great!

[Beldo]

Never been, but from what I've seen on videos, they still know how to put on a show. It'll be more about the show than the music than it would have been 30-40 years ago, sure, but it won't be as bad as some other legendary acts still kicking (*cough*Dylan).

[TwiningB]

Thanks, all. Beldo, I've seen *cough*Dylan four times now, and enjoyed myself, but I understand what you mean. And I've seen Leonard Cohen twice in the last five years, and he was awesome. But strangely, I saw Neil Young and was way disappointed. The set selection left a great deal to be desired, from my perspective. That, and it was outdoors and even in the late evening it was humid and close to 40C (104F).

[bltkmt]

Agree with abovers...if it is not stupid expensive, then I would do it.

[Rusty]

Its the Rolling F---ing Stones. Of course you should go.

They aint what they used to be but you will know every song and they will all be among the greatest rock songs of all time. In fact the list of songs NOT played will be among the greatestn rock songs of all time.

Mick can still move, Keith can still rock. Yes, they are old and a bit of a parody of themselves but its still the friggin' Stones. If you can afford it, do it.

I saw them once in 1989 on the Steel Wheels tour (last one with Bill Wyman). Same week i got married. It was excellent, even outdoors in a football stadium on a very cold night.

With regards to Keith's mortality, It seems clear that he is some sort of vampire who will never die. He'll probably be the last Stone standing. He says he would tour 12 months a year every year but its the other guys who wont.

[Nortwoods]

Totally. Go. I'd prepare to not be disappointed.

^ p.s. Rusty I saw that Steel Wheels tour at the Metrodome of all places. Thought I was seeing a over-the-hill act at the time as my folks were in the audience as well, but they are the freakin' Rolling Stones damnit of course they killed it.

[Rusty]

The Metrodome, that must have been a terrible place for concerts. It was one of the worst, if not the worst, places I've ever seen a baseball game. The new Target Field is awesome though, saw a game there in July.

I saw that '89 Stones show at the old Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, MA where the Patriots used to play before the new fancy Gillette Stadium. Sullivan was a low budget dump with metal bench seats. The show I saw was on October 3rd (i only rememeber because my wedding anniversary is October 7th) and it dropped from about 75 degrees in the afternoon to the mid 40's by show time. I wouldnt have made it if some stranger hadnt loaned me a nice leather jacket. (long nice story about the kindness of strangers)

One cool thing happened that night although I didn't know it until reading about it in the paper later. The parking and traffic at Sullivan Stadoum was notoriously badded. Cars caught up for hours. As a result people would go to events there really early and tailgate. This particular night a bunch of guys were jamming on guitars with a grill fire going. Some guy in a hoodie joined them and played harmonica for a while. Then he sang a song and they all realized it was Mick Jagger hanging out in the parking lot with them.

Living Colour opened and was terrible.

[TwiningB]

Thanks, folks. I got my ticket this morning.

[DADDY]

Hey Rusty, I think we were at the same show. That mick in the hoodie story smacks of urban myth though. I guess I'm too late to weigh in on the choice to go and see the stones . . . my answer would be fuck NO! Steel Wheels was a quarter of a century ago. You sentimentalists kill me.

[Ansbacher Bremen]

. . . my answer would be fuck NO! Steel Wheels was a quarter of a century ago. You sentimentalists kill me.

Hehe to the abover.

I saw them on the Voodoo Lounge tour in '94 and they were excellent. I then saw them when they did the SARS concert in 2003. AC/DC came on before them and blew the Stones away. That was the night Justin Timberlake was booed by the crowd. Throughout his performance he had to dodge water bottles thrown by the audience. He later returned to duet with Mick Jagger on "Miss You". The crowd was scolded by a visibly angry Keith Richards. Hehe.

Glad, you got your ticket.

Surprised that you were disappointed in Neil Young. I've seen him twice and he rocked both times.

[Rusty]

Hey Rusty, I think we were at the same show. That mick in the hoodie story smacks of urban myth though. I guess I'm too late to weigh in on the choice to go and see the stones . . . my answer would be fuck NO! Steel Wheels was a quarter of a century ago. You sentimentalists kill me.

Nice. It got friggin cold that night, thats for sure. I think the Mick story is the real deal. There was a Globe article about it at the time.

[DADDY]

Hey Rusty, I think we were at the same show. That mick in the hoodie story smacks of urban myth though. I guess I'm too late to weigh in on the choice to go and see the stones . . . my answer would be fuck NO! Steel Wheels was a quarter of a century ago. You sentimentalists kill me.

Nice. It got friggin cold that night, thats for sure. I think the Mick story is the real deal. There was a Globe article about it at the time.

That seals it! Definitely made up. I lived in Boston during the forced busing of the early seventies and the Globe's mission statement was "NEVER let facts get in the way of a great story!"