The trouble they're going through
Date: October 4, 2005 21:24
Have you all ever noticed what problems the Stones are going through for a tour like this. On the surface, it's like they're just hanging around, jamming, having a good time. But they're trying really hard to make it look like that.
To start with Mick. To be able to do this, before the tour starts, he does 4 months of intensive exercising, diet and physical/vocal training.
Then there's Keith. He's got arthritis in his fingers, and still he playes the guitar the whole night every 2 days, not to mention rehearsing, which has to be very, very annoying.
You have Ronnie, who is trying very hard to get off drugs, alchohol and ciggaretes, which he's been on for 30 years. Still, he tours, with all the stress it brings.
Then there's Charlie, who has just been treated for throat cancer, and now he's on stage every night.
And the thing is they all have more money than they can of spending. I admire the way these men work very, very hard to give an appearingly flawless show every 2 nights for their fans. Still, at around 60, they're touring the world half of the time. They did the Licks tour in 2002-2003, took a two year break, and are now doing the same thing. They're actually doing it half of the time. The way thay do it, 20 song setlists, running around the stage like crazy, it's something most young bands can only dream of.
That's why I, and probably most of us love the Stones. They're not the best musicians in the world. Mick isn't Pavarotti. Keith nor Ronnie is Eddie Van Halen, just like Charlie isn't Alex Van Halen. But the way they play together, their overall image, their hard work and endless dedication is extremely admirable, and I think of it as a pure INSULT that media say they're a bunch of lazy old geezers that are doing this for loads of cash.
99% of the bands that were in the charts with them in the 60's and 70's are all dead and gone, but The Rolling Stones are alive and kicking! And I'm very, very grateful for that.
I would like to say that I do not see this as an reason not to complain about setlists or something like that. Sure we can! As long as you still love the Stones, there's nothing wrong with some constructive critisism.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2005-10-04 21:38 by Reptile.