I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the Rolling Stones were the first musical act to use the famous "B stage" and I think they were also the first to have their concerts available via telephone- although I'm not sure if that service exists anymore. Obviously they have been on the cutting edge of the music world throughout their career- earlier in their career from a music point of view/later in their career from a touring /gimmicks point of view. I was trying to think of other groundbreaking stuff that can be credited to the Stones, either from a music point of view or from a touring/gimmicks point of view.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-11-02 18:49 by FrankM.

actually, they were not the first to employ a b-stage - was it U2? I forget - but they definitely borrowed the idea.

I thought this thread was about the being around in the pioneer days.

remember when they got from show to show by covered wagon, JJF? I miss that....

The B-stage was not something new that the rolling stones, I think it was U2, not the Stones. The Stones took the idea.

You guys may be right about the b stage, but I have never heard of it being associated with any other band so the Stones may have taken the idea and made it more famous.

U2 were using the b-stage on their Zoo TV tour in 1992 and on Zooropa the following year

The Stones didnt use a b-stage as part of their regular show until 1997, although they used a mini-stage which moved out into the audience as a one-off when they played the Miami PPV show in November 1994.

I think someone mentioned in a thread some time ago that Bryan Adams, of all people, used a b-stage concept in the late 80's.

thanks gazza - and regarding the covered wagon touring - were the Stones the first to employ them?

I think the British comedian Bernard Manning used one on his 1987 club tour.

I thought Lewis & Clark were the first covered wagon touring duo.

no.. PT Barnum was....

oh, right - never understood why PT wasn't invited to the Rock'n'Roll Circus....

Gazza Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> U2 were using the b-stage on their Zoo TV tour in
> 1992 and on Zooropa the following year
>
> The Stones didnt use a b-stage as part of their
> regular show until 1997, although they used a
> mini-stage which moved out into the audience as a
> one-off when they played the Miami PPV show in
> November 1994.
>
> I think someone mentioned in a thread some time
> ago that Bryan Adams, of all people, used a
> b-stage concept in the late 80's.

KISS used a b-stage concept during their reunion tours in the late 1990's. I know Paul Stanley went out to it, but can't recall if anybody else did. It defintely wasn't the whole band. I don't know if they did anything like that in their heyday. Bueller? Anyone?

I wonder if other acts like U2 use it on a regular basis as the Stones do these days. I'm no expert on U2 so I'm not sure.

Frank - I think you'll find that the Stones rarely "pioneer" ideas - but, rather know a good idea (b-stage, or cordless mics/gtrs in early 80's) when they see one. Not so much innovators as exploiters...and I mean that in a complimentary sense....

Covered wagon was used by the Troyans way before Christ.
And by Lee Marvin in Paint Your Wagon (1965)




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-11-02 19:30 by Baboon Bro.

I think the stones were one of the First Artist to Charge $450.00 bucks a ticket...The Who is playing at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend and tickets are $507.00..

Lee Marvin? Looks like an aged Brian Jones!

Picture replaced, to avoid confusion.

looks like Mr.Marvin was spendin some time in the saloon (and the horse too)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-11-02 19:34 by Leonard Keringer.

They were the first band to have a tour sponsored, in 1981 by Jovan. Not exactly a plus in my eyes but I'm sure Prince Rupert Lowenstein was happy about it.

Sorry but the Stones have never been "Pioneers"

always followers, 1st the Blues greats, then after the Beatles released
Sgt. Peppers, they followed with Satanic M. over Brian's objections...

they did break some new ground when Taylor was added!!!
that put them on top from 1969 thru 1975

Led Zep suplanted them as the #1 act (money-wise & record sales) after that.

Disco came along and: "Miss You" got them going again

they have been making money ever since, musically is another story..

MLC

MCDDTLC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sorry but the Stones have never been "Pioneers"
>
> always followers, 1st the Blues greats, then after
> the Beatles released
> Sgt. Peppers, they followed with Satanic M. over
> Brian's objections...
>
> they did break some new ground when Taylor was
> added!!!
> that put them on top from 1969 thru 1975
>
> Led Zep suplanted them as the #1 act (money-wise &
> record sales) after that.
>
> Disco came along and: "Miss You" got them going
> again
>
> they have been making money ever since, musically
> is another story..
>
> MLC


Is this the "abridged" version of Rolling Stones history? I'm thinking it's missing a couple chapters....

The Stones are pioneers in various ways. They were the first to pioneer the world tours as we know them. With a bit of help from Pink Floyd. They derived the idea of shifting massive stages etc around the world from the Holiday On Ice production. Their early sixties sound was pioneering in itself. Take a look at the Four Flicks DVD. It was a first in that particular format. Ever tried to burn it? Then you'll find out just how massive it is. When they recorded some of their early material in America, that was quite unique. On a very early album cover the only word to appear was Decca. This was unheard of. If ALO had his way the Decca logo would have gone also. Did they pioneer a band logo? Not sure about that one. Depending on how well read you are about the Stones, you'll find pioneering firsts all down the line. No pun intended.

MCDDTLC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sorry but the Stones have never been "Pioneers"
>
> always followers, 1st the Blues greats, then after
> the Beatles released
> Sgt. Peppers, they followed with Satanic M. over
> Brian's objections...
>
> they did break some new ground when Taylor was
> added!!!
> that put them on top from 1969 thru 1975
>
> Led Zep suplanted them as the #1 act (money-wise &
> record sales) after that.
>
> Disco came along and: "Miss You" got them going
> again
>
> they have been making money ever since, musically
> is another story..
>
> MLC

I think it's ridiculous to say they have NEVER been pioneeers. Maybe they were on the cutting edge more than being the knife itself so to speak, but they were either the first or one of the first to cross over into the dance/disco genre, the first to break the 300 million mark touring/maybe 400 million? Also the first band to last this long and very experimental with instruments back in the 60's that weren't usually used in rock and roll- also there weren't many hard rock songs before Paint It Black.

Don't want to get into another Zepp vs. The Stones thing but Zepp is not your best argument in this thread. What did they innovate? Page was a thief.

Pioneers? Lewis & Clark & KEITH
THE GRAPES OF WRATH was based on the Stones' first tour.

As for "borrowing ideas"....Jimmy Buffett webcasts every concert for free on Radio Margaritaville. Wish the Stones would do that. The Stones still have a little way to go to catch Jimmy's merchandising/marketing. And Jimmy didn't even go to the London School of Economics.

Rolling Stones as music pioneers - So that explains "Indian Girl".

Re: Jovan sponsorship - Bring 'em back, tickets were $15.

Did THE EAGLES pioneer the first concert ticket over $100(face value)?

I know the Stones charge $450 for prime seats...what are some of the other big names asking? U2? The Eagles? Paul McCartney? etc... are the Stones truly the highest? Is it some sort of competition among the elite rockers as to which band can get away with the highest price ticket...and still sellout the venue?

Eagles were the first ones that I paid $100 for. Hell Freezes Over tour on the early 90's.

yep, I remember being shocked at the Eagles ticket prices in the early to mid 90's.


and FrankM....I'm not sure I would brag too much about the crossover to the disco/dance genre. (of course the Bee Gees did it first, though)