CLEVELAND, Ohio – OK, let’s get that out of the way.
The main trio of the Rolling Stones is old, damn old. Even though 80 is the new 70, the Glimmer Twins – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards – as well as Ronnie Wood, the youngest of the trio who turned 77 on June 1, are definitely veteran seniors. And, in a (presumably lucrative) achievement with a hint of irony, the band’s current Hackney Diamonds tour, which stopped at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday, is sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons.
Of course, the Stones are not retired. In fact, they’re on the road again, and they (finally) returned to Cleveland on Saturday for only the second time this century.
Related: Rolling Stones in CLE: If it was “The Last Time”, no one could ask for more (photos)
Related: Rolling Stones in Cleveland 1964-2002: All the shows, all the reviews
COVID derailed their planned leg of the 2020 tour, so many area fans waited 22 years for another chance to get their ya-ya out in their own backyard. On Saturday night, the Stones treated their fans to a musical journey into their past and present with a set of 19 songs and more than two hours of hits from the ’60s to the ’80s, skipping the ’90s and the ’90s, but bringing them into the 21st century with some new features.
Before the show, fans gathered in a wide variety of vintage (or at least vintage reproduction) t-shirts, and as always, die-hard fans complained about how many Stones shows they’ve attended over the years. decades.
Unfortunately, as many of these fans attempted to get seated for the show, they could be heard complaining about how difficult it was to get to their seats. Note to stadiums hosting concerts: Please inform concertgoers of any wristband requirements in your online communications prior to the show to streamline the seating process and so they do not end up taking out their frustrations on your innocent employees and workers.
Nonetheless, once the show began, all (or at least most) was forgiven with the booming opening notes of “Start Me Up.” Jagger, resplendent in a shiny green sequinned shirt and black jeans and shoes, gave fans and photographers a quick tour of some of his iconic moves as he wiggled, wiggled and shook like the Good old jagger.
The 11-piece touring version of the band features longtime sidemen including keyboardist and musical director Chuck Leavell, bassist Darryl Jones, background vocalist Bernard Fowler, and horn players Tim Ries and Karl Denson, as well as new drummer Steve Jordan in the seat formerly occupied by the late and beloved Charlie Watts.
It’s a rock and roll machine, a live jukebox filled with Rolling Stones classics and some new tracks from their much-loved new album, ‘Hackney Diamonds’, from which they performed three songs.
A loose and driving “It’s Only Rock and Roll” gave way to “Let’s Spend The Night Together” before a solid reading of “Hackney Diamonds” lead single “Angry”.
Early on, Wood did the heavy lifting on the solos, delivering precise fretwork on fan-voted tracks “”Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)” and “Tumbling Dice” and unleashing some tasty slide licks on a discreet sound “Monkey Man”.
Jagger’s energy level on stage is legendary, but Wood was also constantly moving and clearly having fun. Like Jagger, Wood explored the stage’s considerable space, occasionally walking the catwalk during his solos, and making sure the people bleeding from their noses and at the sides of the stadium couldn’t just see him on the giant screens. on both sides. and above the stage while Richards mostly hung out near his Fender and Jordan amps.
Of the new songs performed, “Whole Wide World” had the most energy, with its lightly punk-infused riff and firing off another fiery solo from Wood.
“It’s good to do the new ones,” Jagger said after the song. “Because the new become the old. »
Later, during a lengthy “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Jagger walked the long catwalk, bringing the band to a heartbeat and egging the fans on to sing along, which they happily obliged. The song’s coda even became a double rave-up with a soulful gospel feel.
During his joking moments, Jagger referenced the 22-year gap between the Cleveland concerts and the band’s first local concert at the Public Hall in 1964. He also gave a shout-out to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and suggested to everyone present to vote in the great American country. elections in November. “This may be the last time you vote,” he said menacingly, sparking murmurs from the crowd.
While Jagger took a well-deserved break, Richards took to the mic for three tracks, giving solid, raspy vocals to new ballad “Tell Me Straight,” (“We’re Still Breaking That One” , he later declared), a fan favorite. “Little T&A,” highlighted by heavy Chuck Berry-inspired riffage and of course Keef’s favorite song, “Happy.”
Shortly after, the massive screens on both sides of the stage turned red and a refreshed Jagger came out in all black for “Sympathy For The Devil.” Jagger missed his vocal cue by a beat or two, but it didn’t matter because the fans were already “whoo-whoo-ing,” and Richards finally left his safe space and walked away. headed towards the other side, much to the delight of that side’s fans. as Leavell went crazy over the song’s piano-laden groove.
“Miss You” got the live equivalent of a 12-inch mix, with Jagger taking a hot harp solo and Jones extending the song’s funky disco bass line into a pocket solo. “Gimme Shelter” gave backup singer Chanele Haynes a chance to show off her talents by shouting “Rape!, Murder!” then harmonized, danced and strutted to the front of the stage with Tina Tuner-like ferocity alongside Jagger.
The set ended with a trio of the band’s ’60s hits, “Paint it Black” and “Jumping Jack Flash,” with Richards’ intro chords blaring from the huge speakers and Jagger still moving like Jagger.
The Rolling Stones, Inc. rock and roll machine ended the show with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” featuring one of Richards’ best solos of the evening and Jagger briefly getting down on all fours to emphasize its inability to achieve the goal. goal stated in the title of the song.
Who knows when and where the Rolling Stones will return to Cleveland (at the arena down the street, please), but fans young, old and everywhere in between seemed to have had their fill of Stones Jones as They were making their exodus (as Bob Marley said). “Exodus” playing on the audio system) return to their cars while waiting for the next opportunity to listen to some live samples of their favorite band.