EXPERIENCE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HISTORY
with
THE GREATEST ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD!
the ROLLING STONES – STAPLES CENTER – LOS ANGELES, CA – May 20, 2013
The following proves that Rock ‘n’ Roll magic still exists.
On Monday May 20th, 2013, 00individual was tending his blog when a call from his Stone Rockin’ DJ Son made the impossible, possible. His girlfriend, a Rock ‘n’ Roll Angel, was connected and was able to score a VIP Suite for the Stones’ second and last concert at the Staples Center in downtown L. A.!
At 8 PM we skirted the crowds and slipped into the outside VIP entrance, then into the hallway of the lowest of three tiered “suites”; slid our ticket into a slot like at a hotel door and opened it to a mini-hotel room with a couch, coffee table, framed pictures on the wall, refrigerator, kitchenette and bar “table” with bar stools that faced the open end of the room. There were several steps that led down from the bar seats to two rows of seats, four seats to a row, and each sidewall at that point had glass separating you from the next suite, kinda like connected beach houses, except on the left of our “centered” suite there was a drape. From this unobstructed open air view I could see the “Lips and Tongue” stage dead-ahead with the massive screen directly behind it. This view also allowed me to see every single seat except the ones directly above me – this created a double show as I could experience the entire audience action/re-action and the Stones at the same time. The Staples Center’s unique vertical “stadium seating” design was so awesome that, along with the suite design, it created a feeling as if I was held in space out over the crowd.
00individual checkin’ out the scene before grabbin’ a front row seat down in front of the bar stools.
Here I was, just minutes from witnessing a monumental slice of Rock History – it was magic that I was even there and magic that I was easily in the best VIP suite in the house!!
The concert opened with a video of random Stones fans, entertainers and stars in their own right like Depp, Pop and Scorsese commenting on the Stones along with film from over the past 50 years; so by the time the Stones hit the stage their vital cultural impact on generations of peoples’ lives was clearly defined.
(Click images for enlargement!)
Mick’s pointin’ at me semi-bald haid at bottom center to the left.
I can rightfully say at 70 years old this year, Mick and Keith were more physically active than they were at the ’69 Forum show – it was amazing! And Watts, on June 2, 2013 will be 72 and effortlessly drummed the whole concert! They put on a show that bands 1/4 their age couldn’t pull off! A true testament to the energy and youthfulness that Rock ‘n’ Roll provides! I was smiling ear to ear throughout the whole show! What a gift! What a gas! And the Stones were havin’ a great time too as could be seen by their smiles and laughter among themselves!
Watts workin’ it!
Mick Taylor was introduced for “Sway”, a long time special favorite “Sticky Fingers” track of mine and he played on most all numbers. Darryl Jones’ bass lines vibrated right through to my chest organs through the world-class sound-system – I can’t speak for all, but my experience of the acoustics at the Staples Center was excellent!
Wood, Taylor and Richards jammin’!
Wood is a Stone, a perfect puzzle piece that fit right in - seems like he’s been with them from the start. I never got to see Brian Jones but did see classic Stones with Wyman back in ’69 and ’72 at the Hollywood Palladium. Keith’s lookin’ like Keith, only more so, and still has his licks down in that totally casual manner that is his and his alone. And Mick sang his heart out and still tore-up the stage with plenty of crowd-pleasing ” Jagger swagger” moves – he’s still got it all – and it seems like he always will!
The Stones!
I was hootin’ and hollerin’ and applaudin’ all the way through like any fan would and did.
And the set list?
Check it out: they opened with GET OFF OF MY CLOUD, then -
IT’S ONLY ROCK “N” ROLL, PAINT IT BLACK, GIMME SHELTER, ALL DOWN THE LINE, FARAWAY EYES, SWAY, DOOM AND GLOOM, ONE MORE SHOT, CAN’T YOU HEAR ME KNOCKIN’, HONKY TONK WOMAN, YOU GOT THE SILVER, BEFORE THEY MAKE ME RUN, MIDNIGHT RAMBLER, Just before “Miss You” Mick announced tonight’s guest star, “… and tonight’s guest star is YOU!”, so it was our part to sing the “Miss You” chorus which was easy since Mick could’ved stop singing anytime and nearly the whole place was singing along – it was unbelievably cool. MISS YOU, START ME UP, TUMBLING DICE, BROWN SUGAR, SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL.
“Please allow me to introduce myself, …”and a righteous rousing (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION!
Twenty-two songs total – WHEW!
KEITH Fucking RICHARDS!
Once again, I am thankful and blessed to have been in the right place at the right time to receive some well-deserved joy that was truly acquired by Divine-intervention from the Rock Gods, they bestow these unexpected gifts on the truly faithful – and I am, I know that. I almost got tearful at times – ROCK ‘N’ ROLL and the STONES have been a huge part of my life ever since I was a pre-teen and they both have always been there for me … 50 and counting, … no shit! Sigh.
I needed this experience and got it.
AWESOME!
This legend, this accomplishment, is set in STONE by the mere fact that they PREVAIL!
