It's Only Rock'n Roll
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It's Only Rock'n Roll |
Hour break and then the lights go out again. The anticipation was rising and so was the crowd. Unfortunately, I was sitting in the very last row in the Loge area, and being 6' 4", the seating area above me blocked my view of the screen and the head kind of blocked the stage. But I knew what I was looking for, and I found through my binoculars. Dead center he stood and I yelled out "Keef." And then it happened, "Satisfaction." The crowd was screaming and dancing. Then came "It's Only Rock n Roll" and "Let's Spend the Night Together." Being 24 and only seeing "Let's Spend the Night Together" on the same-titled video, this was a real treat. But by the time "Flip the Switch" was ripping through, the crowd had settled down and took their seats. I personally thought they did a good job on the song and gave a big cheer for it.
Then came "Gimme Shelter." Was very upset when they played this one only in Europe in '95, so this was very memorable. I've seen and heard it before, but it's always worth mentioning again: Lisa Fisher is just excellent on this song. It's hard to imagine this song without her. Next came "Anybody Seen My Baby." The crowd was very quiet on this one, and I would have to honestly have to say that this was the low point of the concert. It just didn't work. But "Saint Of Me" brought the level back up for me. I was really worried that they wouldn't play this song. Great rendition.
"Out Of Control" got the crowd a little excited. To be honest, I was disappointed with the crowd, they just didn't seem into it. Then came "Under My Thumb." My friend got up and danced, but I didn't in support of my girlfriend who really despises that song. (But between us all, I really liked it, I sang along with my friend. But that song didn't work out and you could tell by Mick's face on the video screen that he didn't like it either. I knew that they had a hard time with that song, so I didn't expect perfection, but I still sounded great.
Band intros is what really get any crowd going. The crowd got so excited for Charlie that when Mick introed Ronnie, the crowd was still yelling for Charlie. Felt sorry for Ronnie so yelled out for him. Then came the man, Keith. The crowd just goes nuts and so do I. But I thought it was very rude that the crowd thought that this was intermission time when it's Keith's turn to sing. "All About You" and "Wanna Hold You" did seem kind of rough, but just to Keith play is more than the $60+ I spent.
Then came the center stage part of the concert. "Little Queenie", wow! A real blast from the past, very happy to hear them playing this little gem. My friend is a blues fan, so I know she got a kick out of an old Chuck Berry tune. "The Last Time" was great, but I got a real kick out of "You Got Me Rocking." Was real worried I wouldn't hear this song either, but they read my mind and kicked it into full gear. Destined to become a Stones concert favorite.
I don't remember much about the last part of the concert (the damn stadium was blocking my view as I was dancing), but I will tell you the best memory yet. In the same row, there was another couple. I had made eye contact earlier with the woman, who was up and dancing, but her male companion was sit ting down the whole time. So in the middle of "Jumping Jack Flash," I excused myself from my friends and walked over to the woman and asked if she wouldn't mind a dance partner. She said yes and we danced through the end of JJF and "Brown Sugar." This is something I don't usually do, going up to strangers. But I knew I did the right thing when she gave me the biggest hug. Her male companion told my girlfriend that he was glad I danced with her because he had felt bad. This will probably the memory I'll remember the most.
Keith's father Bert was sitting in the left mixing tower, so at least he was happy when people was sitting down during Keith's songs, because he could finally see...
The Los Angeles crowd seemed look warm. May be they have seen so many bands, that the Stones were not really a sensation. I don't know. Quite a few people were sitting down, even early on in the show.
Charlie was in top mood. I have never seen him smiling so much. During the band introductions, he was in such a good mood, that Mick had to break in to introduce Ronnie. That same Ronnie was coming out like a child, messing with Mick, carrying one of Mick's coats, like he had stolen it from Mick's dressing room. Mick just had a big laugh...
The show was almost identical to the Phoenix show, except "Bitch" came after "Saint Of Me", and they played "The Last Time" on the center stage. And this time, Sympathy For The Devil did not set any fire on the stage!
More details coming tomorrow...
Show start time: 9:10 pm Show end time : 11:25 pm
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.
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It's Only Rock'n Roll 1997 -
© The Rolling Stones Fan Club Of Europe |