Say what you will about The Rolling Stones; say they're old, past their prime or washed up. But there's a good chance you'd feel differently after witnessing what the seasoned rockers can still whip up onstage. [Text by Gabe, photos by Tracy]
Friday's night's incendiary show at the Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando (the only Florida stop on the band's current "Zip Code" tour) served as bona fide proof that the Stones are still capable of pulling off an unabashed, unrelenting, unapologetic rock n' roll party. And the most fun party to ever be hosted by a bunch of 70-year-olds.
As the house lights dimmed just after 9:30 p.m., the massive video screens that flanked the enormous endstage setup came alive and were met with a mighty roar from the capacity crowd. A series of images and montages from the band's 50-plus year career flashed by, ending with an "Orlando 32805" sign marking the zip code of the venue's location.
As the well known riff that opens "Jumping Jack Flash" screamed from the stadium speakers, band members started emerging to take their places. The loudest ovation, not surprisingly, came when wiry, spry and well-preserved leader Mick Jagger raced out onto the stage. Sporting a loud and wildly-patterned fuchsia blazer, purple shirt and black jeans, Jagger looked as striking as he sounded. In fine vocal and physical form, he, the quintessential rock n' roll frontman, had the buoyant crowd in the palm of his hand from the start, and he never lost his grip. Strutting, preening, prancing, shimmying, butt-shaking, posing ... everything you'd expect from the electrifying and charismatic leader of the veteran band was in place. The fact that at age 71, Jagger perform and deliver with such vigor is a marvel. The lines on his face are a little deeper, but his ability to entertain and engage hasn't waned a bit. No one does it like Mick Jagger. A little bit of Little Richard swagger combined with equal parts contortionist and go-go dancer, his unique and inimitable panache is unparalleled.
In every way as integral an element to the band is figurehead Keith Richards. The eternal poster boy of rock n' roll debauchery and excess is still the Stones' driving force. In a bold green silk shirt and typical headband, Richards delivered more than his fair share of licks and attitude from his spot on stage. With the guitars turned way, way up in the mix (thanks, sound crew) Richards laid some pretty tasty blues riffs over the anthemic "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)" from a vintage Gretsch guitar. Richards, also 71, still commands his rightful share of attention and adulation. While not as mobile as in the past, he still wears the "bad boy" tag he's had since the band's early 1960's inception.
Working their way through an impressive set list that had its fair share of personal highlights, Jagger and Co. continued to gain steam and get a little looser and into their groove as the night progressed. Solid and steady drummer Charlie Watts kept the train on track with his unfaltering beat and lead guitarist Ron Wood, dressed in black sparkly blazer to match his glitter-encrusted high tops, did his fair share of mugging and posing while showing off his always impressive and blazing guitar work.
As Jagger shed layers of clothing and continually dabbed off perspiration with towels, he never stopped doing his thing. Running, skipping and boogieing from one side of the stadium to the other on the gigantic catwalks on either side of the stage and making his way down a large runway that led to another small stage in the center of the field, Mick darted around for the duration of the two-hour performance.
Accompanied by two backup singers, two sax players, keyboardist Chuck Leavell and veteran bass player Darryl Jones, the band plowed through a sparking sampling of its enormous and brilliant catalog, including paying homage to their magnificent 1971 album Sticky Fingers, recently re-released in a variety of deluxe reissue packages. "A long time ago, we used to release these things called 'records'" Mick joked. "This one was released about 59 years ago!" he chided as the band launched fired-up versions of two standouts from that album: "Bitch" and "Moonlight Mile."
Occasionally grabbing a guitar and strumming along, Jagger's hyperactivity and electricity proves as awe-inspiring as it is infectious. One can't help dancing, singing, grooving and losing all inhibitions while focusing on the always engaging Jagger. Rock n' roll is about letting it all hang out and getting lost in a moment and Mick Jagger is the circus barker who has led us on that path for the better part of half a century.
A fan-voted poll on the band's website dictated which of four possible selections would be played at each night's show. For the Orlando concert, the clear cut winner was "She's So Cold" from 1980 album Emotional Rescue. A few lyrical flubs didn't halt the spirited version of the rarely-played tune. Without the aid of any visual teleprompters, plenty of credit has to be given to Jagger for his ability to remember lyrics to songs from such a vast catalog.
Another personal highlight came in the way of two back-to-back Richards-led songs. "It's good to be here...it's good to be anywhere," a smiling Keith commented before taking center stage to belt out two of his numbers. "Before They Make Me Run" sounded fresh and loose and "Happy," bolstered by impressive lap steel guitar work from Wood, was as raw, ragged and raunchy as ever.
Clothing changes were plentiful through the night. In a flame print shirt, Jagger reemerged to lead the band though a red hot version of epic blues rocker "Midnight Rambler" and turned in some sharp harmonica playing in the process.
"We've been coming to Florida since 1964 when we first played in Clearwater. Thanks for coming back to see us," Jagger said and was met with another rousing ovation before diving headfirst into the disco-laden groove of "Miss You," the band's smash crossover hit from 1978 album Some Girls. Darryl Jones was the star of the show for this number; his deep, thumping, bottom-heavy bass work helped to make this one of the many standouts of the night.
Renowned backup singer and long time member of the Stones' touring ensemble Lisa Fischer earned her keep throughout the night but never so much as during "Gimmie Shelter." Draped in a fringed, hot pink cape and sporting a massive afro, Fischer let her mighty pipes fill every crevice of the cavernous stadium during her turn belting the now-legendary female vocal parts singer Merry Clayton laid down on the track back in '69.
The band were joined by a group of chamber singers from University of Central Florida for the choir portion of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" during the night's encore. Seamless and nearly identical to the original recording, the impressive group of singers added an integral element to the delivery of this classic.
With "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — one of the best angst-ridden rock anthems of all time — and amid a flurry of fireworks, an extended set filled with plenty of surprises and highlights came to an end with a literal bang.
Friday night's show revealed why The Rolling Stones are regarded as the world's greatest rock n' roll band, embodying rock music's core spirit and the freedom its represents for the better part of their lifespan. They may be old, they may be past their prime, but damn, do they still rock.
Set List
Jumpin' Jack Flash
It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)
All Down the Line
Tumbling Dice
Doom and Gloom
Bitch
Moonlight Mile
She's So Cold
Honky Tonk Women
Before They Make Me Run
Happy
Midnight Rambler
Miss You
Gimme Shelter
Start Me Up
Sympathy for the Devil
Brown Sugar
Encore:
You Can't Always Get What You Want
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
