It's Only Rock'n Roll
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It's Only Rock'n Roll |
Big Country opened again, doing more or less the same gig like in Berlin, even breaking a guitar string in the same song. Well, not my kind of taste, but I knew some words, so I sang a long to get warm. Rain had set in by that time, so it was another rain show.
The Stones came out at 9.23 pm, but the curtain in front of the jumbotron could not open, so they could not explode the rockets from the circle. By the first notes we knew, that this show was going to be much better than the one in Berlin. Ronnie came out very strong, you could hear him loud and clear. It was also a much wetter show than in Berlin. The rain was heavy through the first 1.5 hours, really bad during the b-stage set.
Satisfaction was strong, lots of running and posing. And it got better. Keith did not get rid of his coat, Ronnie kept his coat on and the rain went on. Hats came out and even Lisa wore a coat with a feather boa, because it was so cod and wet.
Saint of Me was strong, the song went on for some time after the official end and the Stones joined in again. Out of Control saw Jagger wearing his white coat again, no glimmer jacket. The harmonica solo was really great and strong, although there was not so much guitar soloing, it was a bit shorter than in Berlin.
First time I got Memory Motel on this tour. Everybody seemed to love in, everyone had therir lighters out. During Miss You Mick got Lisa's shoe again and threw that away, sucking her toes. She was a bit furious, because she had to get up int he rain and get it back again. Ronnie and Bobby did their harmonic soloing together again, makes a change from the usual solos.
Keith' only comment about the weather was "Who cares about the rain", he did not give a f... After his set I made my way to the B-stage, which only took less than a minute. Not really someone there, so I could get to Ronnie's side, second row. GREAT GREAT GREAT! I never have been nearer to them before, just about 1 meter away.
Poor Ronnie. It rained like mad there and he was feeling absolutely cold, could not move his hands, all wet and cold. He tried to get some shelter during Little Queenie and got some stupid looking plastic head, that looked a bit like a fireman's helmet, all in yellow. You could see him really shiver during the wind. Mick had some silver anorak on, Keith couldn't be bothered at all, wearing his hat and coat, he just went on playing. Ronnie got settled during Respectable, but he had a towel, which he nicked from Chuck in his mouth as well, trying to dry the guitar neck with it dirung licks. It was really strange, the Stones fighting the elements.
Don't ask me how the songs weere, I was just amazed to see them that near. The sound over there is real shit, you hear Charlie's drums live, you hear the monitors which are really loud, with a bit of delay and you hear the big stage speakers with lots more of delay. But if you get the chance, just run there and have a look at them. GREAT!!!
The rest was very high standard, HTW back in the set. The rain got less, so Jagger could take off his coat and go out. Keith really hit the riffs during Jumping Jack Flash. And then it was all over....
Good bits: Mick telling us he appreciated, how we stayed and still enjoyed the show. Charlie was introduced as a "very dry Charlie". He was cought on the jumbotron polishing his nails, so he had to come out to get wet as the others.
Bad bits: The rain generally. And trying to get out of Leipzig. It took us 3 (!!!) hours to get to the motorway, as all streets were crowded and police did not have a clue at all. After 5 hours we arrived in Berlin, 5 o'clock in the morning. It's 11 now, and I could still sleep, if they'd let me. But there's a Stones record fair opening in a few minutes.
The set list:
Also the Stones were getting cold as Mick said "It's getting fucking cold up here!" And when Mick introduced the members of the band, he asked everyone to step out in the rain; even Charlie came out to the very front of the stage! By the time the Stones played the center stage, it really pourred! And as stated earlier, it rained so the Stones were great! One of my best shows this tour! Surprises were It's Only Rock 'n Roll, Memory Motel (websong) and Respectable (on the center stage) Honky Tonk Women was back again.
The weather was even worse than in Berlin. It rained cats and dogs until "Honky Tonk Women". But this time it seemed to be an agreement between the Stones and the crowd: We will have fun come what may!! THE SHOW SIMPLY ROCKED !!
This time we caught the best place you can dream of: The middle of the front row! Sure, the stage is very high. You can't see Charlie, Daryl, Lisa ... But seeing Mick from that little distance, as he acted and sometimes reacted to us, was just a great pleasure. He obviously was in a great mood, enjoying his job! And so did the others!! I blowed a kiss to Ronnie and he gave it back to me. I was so excited and happy...!!
THANK YOU RONNIE, THANK YOU STONES !!!
Now I have only one show left for this year, Mannheim. Unfortunately I can't be in Hamburg, Bremen - or not to mention WALDB�HNE ! I have to work. But I'll dream of this Leipzig show, that will make work easier!
Because (after Berlin) I know what�s going on after the lions scream I� m very happy to see Keith again playing. The STONES were great inspite of the rain. They put on some rain clothes and Keith and Ronnie stayed under the roof among Charly.
Mick doesn�t matter if rain falls, he went out and jumped the stage up and down. After two songs he was wet and I hoped he don�t catch cold. Lisa was unhappy to get out into the rain to the right stairs, (MISS YOU) but Mick turned her on again.
The Web song MEMORY MOTEL was great for me, because he was very rarely played and I love the BLACK AND BLUE Album.
While playing on center stage I stood in the 2. line again as in Berlin at the same place straight in front of Keith and Mick. The rain was stronger and stronger, but Keith doesn�t matter. Ronnie wears a nice yellow rainhat. I asked me how plays a wet guitar??? They don�t seem waterproof. Micks hood falls over his eyes, but he jumped and running in the rain around and around (reminds me of Chuck Berrys Around and Around, name one of STONES first and best bluesy records.)
At the end of playing on center stage the rain ends too. And the concert was great going on. They played HTW and the other standard program.
While the fireworks are burning I left the �Festwiese�. It was very muddy outside the security area. At 0.15 I was in a tram going to a friend. And the concert was a fantastic memory. But the rain was too much in Leipzig.
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It's Only Rock'n Roll 1998 -
© The Rolling Stones Fan Club Of Europe |