Rolling Stones
One of the greatest and most influential rock'n'roll bands of all time. They formed in Britain in 1962, naming their band after a Muddy Waters song. They are inspired by American blues and rock'n'roll acts including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry (they REALLY love Chuck!), Bo Diddley and much, much more. They are practically the world's first hard rock band. They have experimented with other styles in their career, like soul, reggae, psychedelic rock, country rock, disco and more, but have always maintained that classic "Stonesy" hard rock sound. They have greatly influenced many rockers around the globe like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and countless others, and their hard rock and "bad boy"/rebellious image/attitude have also provided blueprints for later genres like heavy metal, punk rock and a whole lot more. They have made many albums over the past 45 years or so, all of them have something to recommend listening to. Among their best albums are Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Tattoo You, Steel Wheels and A Bigger Bang from 2005. They have often pushed the envelope in their songs and music videos, although many of today's music stars now make the Stones sound like angels. Nevertheless, the Stones will always have their "badness" credentials, and the quality and influence of their music is undeniable. They are true legends, without a doubt.
I saw the Rolling Stones in concert exactly 10 years ago tonight at Ohio Stadium at the Ohio State University. They kicked it off with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", then "Solid Rock'n'Roll", "Bitch", getting into hits spanning their entire catalog: "The Last Time", "Rock and a Hard Place", "Gimme Shelter", "Start Me Up", "You Got Me Rocking", "Miss You", "Let's Spend the Night Together", "Let It Bleed", "Tumbling Dice", "Honky Tonk Women" (a lot of women danced onstage during this number), "Anybody Seen My Baby?", a cover of Chuck Berry's "Little Queenie", "Brown Sugar", etc. The Stones drank beer frequently. Mick Jagger often snarled his vocals, and he jumped around and strutted his butt on the stage and walkways. He took off his shirt - even in the chilly late September night air. Keith Richards had a cigaret dangling in his mouth almost all the time, while playing guitar. Ron Wood was also smoking while playing, but not as much as Keith. Charlie Watts kept on beating the skins. After the show ended there was a killer fireworks show. It was an excellent evening. I had seen many major "classic" acts play live (Pink Floyd, U2,Van Halen, Rush, Def Leppard, Beach Boys, Ramones, to name a few) but it was a major thrill to see what may be the biggest and most influential band ever (except the Beatles and Roxy Music). The Stones still have it. VIVA ROLLING STONES.
Rolling Stones by I Saw U2 Live Twice October 11, 2007
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