| 5th October 2006 07:15 AM |
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| Ten Thousand Motels |
A tribute to the Stones
The Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, October 05, 2006
It has now been 80 some sleeps since the world famous "Lip and Tongue" logo began lapping away the days on the front page of the Leader-Post, in anticipation of the arrival of "The Greatest Show on Earth", otherwise known as the stadium presentation of the greatest rock-and-roll band in the history of the world; a.k.a. the one, and only and most magnificent, The Rolling Stones.
That our fair city has been awarded an unprecedented two consecutive shows on the current A Bigger Bang tour is a fantastic "feather in the cap" for not only this city but for our province, and for all those individuals who worked so hard to make this all possible.
The Stones and I both made our first appearance in the summer of 1962, thus I can say I have truly been a life-long fan of the band and their music. Indeed, if you are 50 years old or younger, you've really never known a world without the Rolling Stones.
As someone who has had the opportunity to see the band live on five occasions, let me assure your readers that they are about to witness the most spectacular event in the history of our city.
For those of you who have been wondering what all the fuss is about, let me briefly illuminate. Simply put, the world as you know it today would not be the same if it were not for the Stones. At the vanguard of the cultural revolution of the 1960s, their all-encompassing influence shaped the realms of music, fashion, the sexual revolution and global politics. The Vietnam war was fuelling a desire for political change, and young people around the globe began their protests for liberation from all forms of oppression. And the Rolling Stones provided the soundtrack for it all.
Like many bands in the 1960s, the Stones were financially exploited by the unscrupulous managers of the day, leaving one of the world's biggest acts with humongous holes in their pockets. Fortunately, a very financially astute Mick Jagger soon put trustworthy people in place, and the band recovered, becoming the most successful musical act of all time.
The Stones were the first, both in terms of presenting a massive stage show that is congruous to their stature as "the greatest rock band in the world", as well as providing an ample platform to showcase to crowds in excess of 100,000.
After decades of touring, dozens of albums and over 2,000 performances worldwide, a major slice of musical history will arrive this Thanksgiving Day weekend that will be the most amazing spectacle this city has ever seen.
Indeed, if a satellite were positioned in geo-synchronous orbit over Regina these starry nights, then the only thing that could rival this most wondrous and awe-inspiring view would be an appearance by aurora borealis itself.
Truly, on any given night and when viewed from space, the most spectacular sight on the face of the planet is the Rolling Stones stadium show.
The buzz around town will be electric, as fans from far and wide eagerly await and anticipate their chance to catch a glimpse of "rock royalty" as they settle into their new digs for the precious few days that they will grace us with their presence.
Then, as the eve of Oct. 6 approaches and a full moon begins ascension, we will all "thank our Lucky Stones" as the stagelights rise, a report of fireworks fills the heavens, and the greatest performing act in the history of the world will leap forth with all the speed and force of a runaway freight train, never pausing until everyone in its path is swept away by the sheer velocity and grandeur of its momentum!
Prediction: Total strangers will be hugging each other while tears stream down faces as Mick provides a soulful ballad. Teens will watch in wonderment as their parents demonstrate how they could move in their youth.
Keith, back in the saddle stage right, will rip of chords that have been imbedded in our brain cells for 40 years, the endless ember of his cigarette enduring like the flaming burn of passion that is his love for the music itself.
One thing about Keef -- he's not doing this for the money. This is who he is, and this is what he does. For the sake of Keith, my wish for him is that when his time finally comes, and he's needed for gigs in Heaven, I pray that he dies on stage with his boots on! And all will be left in awe by the greatest showman the world has ever known, the much-mimicked, but never duplicated Sir Michael Jagger O.B.E. (Order of The British Empire). Yes, that's right, it's Sir Mick now, if you please.
And then, when the curtain falls and 45,000 delirious fans spill out into the night for an evening of revelry and celebration, for those holding tickets to the Sunday night show, there will be the realization that the best is yet to come!
Like the newlyweds who just checked in to their honeymoon suite a few hours prior, there will be the tantalizing anticipation of knowing that we're just getting started, that we've got the room for the whole weekend.
Start me up, indeed.
Cheri Petty
Regina
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| 5th October 2006 07:30 AM |
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| Steel Wheels |
What a great read! Thanks! |
| 5th October 2006 08:04 AM |
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| corgi37 |
Christ! What a fan-boy. |
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