It's Only Rock'n Roll
|
|
It's Only Rock'n Roll |
Start time: 9:05 p.m. End time: 11:20 p.m.
The set list:
Read all about the 1997 tour in the It's Only Rock'n Roll magazine issue IORR 30 out Oct. 15, 1997.
We stopped in the town of Laverne, OK. to gas up and a little lady of 70 years asked "are you boys going to see the Rolling Stones." We spent about seven minutes explaining and listening to exciting tales of her past and our immediate future. It's back on the road and having my ten year old daughter going to her second Stones show and the drivers thirteen year old daughter with us, it's pee time and we stop in Calumet, OK. at the only store in town. A man is selling 20 marbles for $ 1000.00 and we are all looking at everything getting our snacks and taking care of business. Next thing you know this nice guy of at least 70 says "are you boys going to that concert in Norman." Off we go into another seven minutes of delicious conversation of stories from his past and our future. The whole state of Oklahoma knew that the Stones was coming to town. Back on the road and we are getting close to town and the buzz is on. We scored great parking at a sorority house lot and walked a few blocks to the arena. It's 5:00 PM and the gates haven't opened yet but the vendors, media, production trucks, and general mania was happening.
I love this stuff. It is so big, sincere, and professional. Go find the correct entry gate was the next item for life. What a fun line to stand in with the enthusiasm and talk of each persons personal story of the Stones. The people in line near us were just ecstatic and impressed by everything as this was their first time and the novice tales of this and that made for a great feeling. One young man was telling that he had heard that Keith had been in trouble with drugs and I said " no way, are you sure," and this guy began informing me that he was sure it to be a truth and I said " that I had been following the Stones since 65 and I got ya," and we all laughed and continued on. The guy knew there was no disrespect involved and we all just talked and laughed and this is how the whole day went.
Then the gates opened. First thing - check out the stage and seats. Home run on both. Stage is gigantic and looked fantastic. I'm checking out the memorabilia, food, and all else and the lights go off and Sheryl Crow comes on and proceeds to do the job. She is really a fine performer and so talented. What a great opening act. In between acts I take the kid down to see the insanity of the pee rush. Again, I am amazed at the freedom of a Rolling Stones concert. The pre - show music was of quite the variety and the sound was perfect. The intensity of anticipation was producing a large dose of electricity and the hype was on.
Then, it all began with an enormous roar and magnificent lighting a shadow of Keith appeared and it was show time. The set list was quite a treat as I had not heard them perform Sister Morphine, Shine a Light, All About You, or I Wanna Hold You. The new stuff was great. When Satisfaction began the crowd erupted and it was very obvious that Oklahoma loved the Stones and as the evening proceeded that the Stones loved Oklahoma. The sound was a little rough at first and it was great to see Mick direct the engineers and Ronnie and Keith got together to work the bugs out. By half way through IORR the sound was up and running.
Flip the Switch was good and Lisa did great on Gimme Shelter. She adds a lot to the persona and specific behavior activities. Oh yeah, oh yeah. Sister Morphine was a special treat and these guys were hot tonight. Micks vocals, Keith and Ronnie were tight and I just love Charlie with his proper tactfulness. I questioned if I was going to like ASMB but I did and then came 19th Nervous Breakdown and the crowd erupted to their feet and it was a great number. Out of Control is my favorite new song and when Mick got wild I loved it. Miss You got the crowd going again after the slow songs and I wonder if Keith not introducing Mick is a gossip piece type behavior. It's cool.
Keith pours his heart out and that grin when he sings is so Keith and when he moves away from the mike. I love it. Now, out on the bridge to the small stage. GoooGooooGooooo Little Queenie, Well I told you once and I told you twice, Hey HEy HEY you got me rocking now, and it was just f---ing incredible and the boys were on and proceeding to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they and only they are " The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World."
Then Sympathy, then Tumbling, then (BIG) FLASH and Start Me Up as if we wasn't already started. Then the song of songs and the anthem of anthems - Jumpin Jack Flash. The lady in front of me had asked me if they still played JJF and that it was her favorite. This was her first time and I told her that they did and that she was getting ready for a life changing performance and a highlight of her life memory. When JJF came on she glanced up at me and then just stood there with her hands clinched together in awe and heartfelt love of a band that everyone has come to know as the Rolling Stones.
What can you say. I don't know but when they walked off stage and the glitter, lights, and fireworks went off everyone was blown away as they had heard thunder. I said get ready for the encore. And there was a great version of Brown Sugar. What a show, what a night, what a love, what a wonderful feeling to have the honor to see " The Rolling Stones." And it will live forever in my memories to be cataloged into the more better than the bestest most greatest precious moments of my life.
|
|
It's Only Rock'n Roll 1997 -
© The Rolling Stones Fan Club Of Europe |