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Its still pretty much a rough draft but may be updated later here
http://www.geocities.com/ijwthstd/stonedinla.html
I got tired of writing it and decided to just post as it before too much time elapses.
Spent most of Thursday on the internet looking for tickets in the specific sections I wanted and making low offers to people with tickets on Ebay. None of them panned out. It was also the first time in memory the otherwise flawless DSL connection at work was real intermittant prompting me to go home sick. The boss knew I had a Stones show that night but I had a lingering cold and really needed a few hours of down time and preparation before hitting the show. Took the Metrolink out of Burbank to Downtown L.A. a little after 5. Got off the redline at the right station and realized I didnt know where the hell Staples Center was and actually walked a few blocks in the wrong direction. At one point heading in the right direction passing the Wilshire Grand, "Wild Horses" was being piped out into the street. I think thats where the Shidobee gathering was in. Paused for a moment, almost went in, then decided I should concentrate on getting a ticket before I start partying.
Found someone selling a pair in PR5 which was pretty much exactly where I wanted to be. I offered him face, then a little over for a single but he wanted to keep the pair together. Checked the box office, and they had PR16 single for $165 but I wanted to be on Keith's side. Hit the Fox Sports Bar for a drink, talked to a few people outside. On the way to check with the box office again, a red jacket Staples security guard said "You have to leave now" and escorted me off the property. He said I was caught on camera making numerous "interactions," (most of which were social BTW). I said specifically I was on the way to the box office to buy a ticket and what if I wanted to do that. "Since you have been caught on camera numerous times I suggest you call them." As he was escorting me to the corner, he was radioing in my description (DUH like that cant be easily changed on the way back in). He was also threatening me, saying vice was closing in on me. So I hit the sidewalk across the street where gangs of scalpers were hanging out. I made some offers of $200 for section 102 but the guy wanted full face. (This was the first show I have seen the people wanting face openly laughed at and ridiculed by the scalpers). Finally one scalper had a PR5 for $200. Usually I avoid known scalpers but this was a very distinct looking fellow I had seen numerous times since at least 1994 so I wasnt too worried about getting ripped off because I knew I would most definitely see him again sometime. He wanted $225 for it or $200 for PR7 (too far from the P.A. for me), I finally talked him down to my ceiling of $200 (and the whole time he was saying "awww you're taking my seat I wanted to sit there). Anyway it was PR5 row 2 seat 4.
I stuck my hat in my jacket pocket, took the jacket off and turned it inside out as I walked back to the Staples property. I got to go thru a special VIP entrance with a small line. This place uses airport style metal detectors. Someone ahead of the door said "Take out any pagers, keys and cell phones and wait for the green light"). I set it off. Emptied the change out and walked thru. Set it off again. There was a follow up search with another wand but the guy with the wand was busy. I asked the lady who was handling the walk thru "Don't you have your own wand?" "I am supposed to but we ran out." She also apologized for the wait. I said thats okay, I dont want to be blown up and I complimented them on their professionalism. Finally the guy with the wand came over. We quickly determined it was my metal studded belt. By that time I had put on my jacket after walking thru. The wand beeped again. Turned out it was my empty fanny pack. Aw shucks I forgot all about that. Then he ran over the jacket. Beeped again. Whats in the pocket. Oh, its my hat with all the pins in it. Oops forgot about that. Then he ran it up and down the zipper, it beeped some more, then he let me thru. Then the part I was most nervous about, the ticket taker but the bar code scanned and I was in! Took the escalator up, walked past the numerous doors to the private skyboxes. Was about to stop for a beer but the lights went off for Sheryl Crow. She was just sorta ho-hum and I would have traded her to the east coast for the Pretenders or No Doubt in a heartbeat. I spent more time watching all the flashing tongue pins and checking out the seating arrangements (first time at Staples) and was kind of awestruck over how high the seats went. There is the lower 100/200s or Premier, then 3 stories of skyboxes, then the third level about three thousand feet up.
After Sheryl Crow was over, I got in the worlds slowest beer line. My order kept getting bigger and bigger. Finally 20 some minutes later I ordered three, was carded and eyed suspiciously and was told there was a 2 limit. I downed one and went to another beer line and had my order taken in about 30 seconds. Even though in seat waitress service isnt available at rock concerts as I was led to believe, I liked the section and area. Seat was just a little lower than PA level. With the exception of the first beer line I was in, lines were short, restroom wasnt crowded.
I guess everything was timed perfectly because the thumping bass beat started 2 minutes after I sat down. Lights went off and Keith came out playing the opening chords of SFM and finally after 3 1/2 years I was rocking with the Stones again!
Strong performance, Monkey Man and Slipping Away were the definite highlights even though Rocks Off is my all time favorite song. Where I was everyone was real polite, sitting down, hardly any crowd noise except for a guy in the row in front of me who went totally orgasmic when Love In Vain started but thats to be understood. He also stood up starting with CYHMK much to the ire of someone behind him. "But there is no one in front of you." So what, its a rock n roll concert and I am glad that guy stayed up. When they moved over to the B-stage he was now blocking my view so I stood up as did everyone behind me. No complaints, I just guess no one wanted to be rude so everyone stayed in their seats for most of the show.
After the show I had a chance encounter at the corner with Laura, Lori, Mickey and someone from Sweden (sorry I forgot your name). Nice to see and recognize some familiar faces after so many years. I felt kinda bad because throughout the weekend many more people were able to recognize me than I was able to recognize back. The time between last time and this time seemed to go by really fast too.
Walked a few blocks up, bought a bootleg shirt for $10 (after unsuccessfully trying to get him to go 3 for $20) then caught a bus home.
Already had a ticket for Anaheim, in section A9 on the floor. My dad and grandma live real close by so I took the train down early that afternoon and spent a few hours there. Then I went to JT Schmidts. Love the beer there. Had a few then found the Shidoobee gathering in the parking lot and saw many more familiar and unfamiliar faces.
This time there was no search going in, so I was able to take in an extra beer as well as the usual stuff. Sheryl Crow was pretty much the same as the previous show except she also did a little bit of "I Can't Explain." Found another friend I hadnt seen in years (the guy who taped Atlanta 75 and Anaheim 78 among others, still active after all these years).
Tonight the Stones were on fire from the get go. The set started out the same as other stadium gigs but veered off early on with a fast version of "All Down The Line," which was no where near as stiff as I remember the Voodoo Lounge tour version and "Sweet Virginia" with "thank you for your wine California" getting lots of cheers all around. Even though there was supposedly no album "theme" tonight, it appears we got another 4 songs off "Exile" tonight as well with Tumbling Dice being the only song repeated both nights.
"Midnight Rambler" was every bit as amazing as the infamous San Jose 4/20/99 version but was a little distracted by the guy next to me screaming in my ear so I jumped in the row behind me. Somehow bumped the volume knob losing about a minute. The row started getting a little crowded.
"Tumbling Dice" almost broke down when Mick missed his cue, everyone slowed down and Keith pointed right at Mick with a big grin on his face. I saw something go flying and Mick prancing up the ramp with much more ferocity than usual. Turned out Mick was distracted getting flowers from a fan in the front row and threw the flowers at Keith when he started laughing.
Due to the row being crowded and losing track of the setlist, I started wandering the floor during Keiths set looking for the B-stage. Was just a little disoriented from all the tailgating before hand. Realized Sympathy For The Devil came after Keith's set, so made a complete circle back to my seat before heading to the B-stage again. Made it about 3 seats away. After "Whip" some guy kept yelling at the top of his lungs "Charlie Watts is god on drums" over and over again. Hopped to the row next to me but it was a little crowded and couldnt get much further away. He started yelling for "Tumbling Dice" over and over again. I told him they already played it which shut him up.
Liked the new revamped intro for "Gimme Shelter" as the band made their way back. Went back to my general area in A9 but in an aisle and a little closer to the stage. Sheryl Crow came out for "Honky Tonk Women." "Street Fighting Man" was much longer and played with a bit more abandon then at Staples a few days before.
For an encore I was expecting "Satisfaction" only but they did "You Got Me Rocking" with the footage of the Angels winning the world series during the "pitcher down in the slump" line. That got the loudest cheer of the night. Then "Satisfaction" and the fireworks and it was all over. Had to be the best stadium show I had ever seen, no doubt boosted by going in with low to average expectations as the stadium shows tend to be greeted with this tour.
Briefly headed to the Shidobee spot in the parking lot before hooking up with a friend for some cool posters. He saved a dozen 40 Licks promo posters out of the trash at Wherehouse and was selling them across the street from the stadium for $5 each. He gave me his last 2. Nice classic 60s shot of the band.
Stayed the night at Grandma's house. Saw some of the unloading the next day at the stadium while waiting for the train. They had a crane inside and there were some trucks pulling away.
My guest for the Wiltern was going to be my mom since she took me to my first Stones theatre show, the theatre being the Westcove cinema in 1983 for Lets Spend The Night Together. Due to her work schedule and the fact that she lives around 60 miles away made a Sunday ticket pickup a bit too inconvenient.
Finally got the ticket from Will Call about 6:00 which was preceded by a quick frisk from the staff pro guy. Wonder if they were afraid of someone holding up the ticket window? For the almost 6 months I had to wait after the buying the tickets, I refused to get excited over it until they were in my hand. It started creeping in after that, but I tried to ignore it. I wasnt inside yet.
Saw listmastah Stevil in line and a few others. At this point I was a little nervous to talk much to anyone. Did a quick reconnaisance mission when they opened up then got in line with mom. The line moved quickly. Had to show the Staff Pro guy the eye drops and keychain flashlight in my pocket and then I was finally inside. Now I am excited!
This was the first time I even had a chance to check out the merchandise. I was hoping for an exclusive Wiltern shirt but settled for the three nighter. Went upstairs and found my seat, Mezzanine row B seats 201 & 202. Gave mom the aisle. I dont like aisle seats.
At 8:00, King of Soul Solomon Burke took the stage with his 20 something band members. Much to my disdain the lights did not dim at all. I sincerely hope someone taped it and regret not doing so myself but I was in a very conspicuous position on the well lit and mostly empty balcony. Probably the best as well as the most appropriate Stones opener ever. Personally I am tired of all the flavor of the month openers of the past tours, some who tend to be forgotten by the time the next Stones tour rolls around.
Saw a few more familiar faces on the balcony, then all the celebrities started pouring in. I recognized Neil Young, Peter Boyle and Benicio Del Toro. Had a few others pointed out to me but I couldnt really be bothered as I was only there to see the Stones.
The hour set change went by surpisingly quick as I was still a little nervous. But when the lights went out, all the supressed excitement of the last several months came rushing in full force. "Ladies and gentlemen for the final night of their LA trilogy, the Rolling Stones..." Saw Keith walk front and center and strike the opening notes of Jumpin' Jack Flash and I was plunged into 2 hours of total exstasy. The guitars were really loud and crunchy and Micks voice was as strong as I had ever seen it. For the most part the backup singers were a fifth wheel since Mick didnt really need them.
I have seen a lot of setlist complaints but I dont have any myself. Sure, if I could, I would have chosen something other than "Beast Of Burden" for the ballad segment, but it ended up being the best version of the song since the Handsome Girls bootleg. Mick did an amazing falsetto in the middle. I got so many songs I have always hoped to see the Stones do live such as "Hand Of Fate," "No Expectations," and "Stray Cat Blues" with the now infamous insane Mick at the end.
I was kinda cringing earlier thinking of all the special guest possibilities but the only guest was an amusing appearance by Solomon Burke during "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" during which he gave his cape to Mick proclaiming the Stones the true kings of rock n roll. Mick gave another amazing vocal performance on "Thats How Strong My Love Is."
During Keiths set, "Thru And Thru" was perfect for a theatre. I was hoping for this one during the Voodoo Lounge tour but it never happened, until now. Starting slow with just Keith and Charlie then building at the end with the full band. I cant even remember what the studio version sounds like, I have been meaning to check it out all week if I can ever bring myself to listen to anything else again.
"Cant You Hear Me Knocking" was much better than Staples, the sound was perfect and yet again Ronnie nailed it during the jam at the end. The show came to an end too quickly. Surprisingly the one song I am the most sick of, "Tumbling Dice," was a strong encore. Usually all I can hear are horns but Keith's guitar was up front in the mix and it sounded just like it was meant to.
Afterwards I hung out for a few minutes out front. My biggest regret is not getting to meet as many people as I did in 1999. Outside I think I only had a chance to briefly talk to Lori, Laura & Joel and the much maligned Jon Wahl. I wanted to hang forever and soak up and share all the good feelings in the air outside immedietly afterward but I didnt want to end up walking home so I had to make an early exit. Hopefully I will get to see more people in San Diego. Was hoping to get to see Teresa and OJ who I think are the first people from the Undercover list I met in person.
Definitely a truly unique concert memory and one of my all time greatest concert experiences ever. I can still hear it over and over again in my head, and its already the most intense post show afterglow ever, I am still every bit as excited now to have been there as I was while I was there.
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