Friday, Nov. 29, 2002 | 9:20 a.m.
You can't always get what you want, but if the Rolling Stones are your favorite band, you might come pretty close this weekend.
The World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band hits Las Vegas tonight and Saturday for two stops on its 40th anniversary tour, a run of shows that many are calling the group's best in years.
In several cities along the way -- Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City and Los Angeles -- the Stones have been playing three-concert series, one each in a stadium, arena and small club. Each night in the trio has featured markedly different material.
Las Vegas gets two of the three: a small club show tonight at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and an arena concert Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The two shows mark the first time the Stones have played Vegas since April 16, 1999.
Along with their classics, the Stones are performing "Don't Stop," one of four new tracks on their latest two-disc compilation, "Forty Licks." The song's title is an appropriate theme for the aging Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts, who range from 55 to 61 years old.
Despite high ticket prices -- $125, $250 and $350 at the MGM and $500, $750 and $1,000 at The Joint -- both shows sold out weeks ago.
But if you don't have tickets for this weekend's Rolling Stones double-shot, never fear. The band has announced a return date, Feb. 8 at the MGM Grand, and seats are still available for that concert.
Who: The Rolling Stones.
Where: The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.
When: 8 p.m. tonight.
Tickets: Sold out.
Opening act: None.
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets: Sold out.
Opening act: Lifehouse.
Personnel: Mick Jagger (vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Ron Wood (guitar), Charlie Watts (drums).
Additional musicians: Chuck Leavell (piano), Darryl Jones (bass), Lisa Fischer (vocals), Bernard Fowler (vocals), Blondie Chaplin (vocals), Bobby Keys (saxophone), Tim Reis (saxophone, keyboard), Michael Davis (trombone), Kent Smith (trumpet).
Latest release: "Forty Licks" (Virgin, 2002)
Album feedback: "The pacing is brilliant, kicking off with the bang-bang-bang punch of 'Street Fighting Man,' 'Gimme Shelter' and 'Satisfaction.' And the four new songs? Their toughest rock in years, especially 'Don't Stop,' a plea for emotional rescue, and Keith Richards' piano ballad, 'Losing My Touch,' which he isn't." (Rolling Stone, 5 stars); "It'd be easy to whine about what isn't on 'Forty Licks:' 'Let it Bleed,' 'No Expectations,' 'Midnight Rambler,' and many other Rolling Stones classics ... These quibbles aside, this is a nicely sequenced, relatively comprehensive two-disc collection." (Entertainment Weekly, A-).
Essential releases: "The Rolling Stones Now!" (1965), "Aftermath," (1966), "Between the Buttons" (1967), "Beggars Banquet" (1968), "Let it Bleed" (1969), "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!" (1970), "Sticky Fingers" (1971), "Hot Rocks" (1972), "Exile on Main Street" (1972), "Some Girls" (1978), "Tattoo You" (1981).
What to expect: The Stones' club dates have featured a slew of seldom-played rarities that should delight even the most hardcore fan. Depending on the night, the band has reached back for deep cuts from "Exile on Main Street," "Some Girls" and even its early '60s blues era. Arena shows have been slightly more hit-heavy, but still balanced with such nonradio material as "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" and "Loving Cup."
Recent club set list: Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, Nov. 4: "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Live With Me," "Neighbours," "Hand of Fate," "No Expectations," "Beast of Burden," "Stray Cat Blues," "Dance," "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," "That's How Strong My Love it," "Going to a Go Go," "Thru and Thru," "You Don't Have to Mean it," "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," "Rock Me Baby," "Bitch," "Honky Tonk Women," "Start Me Up," "Brown Sugar." Encore: "Tumbling Dice." (from fansite kenkeppol.com).
Recent arena set list: Staples Center, Los Angeles, Oct. 31: "Street Fighting Man," "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll," "If You Can't Rock Me," "Don't Stop," "Monkey Man," "Love in Vain," "Loving Cup," "Rocks Off," "Rip This Joint," "Tumbling Dice," "Slipping Away," "Before They Make Me Run," "Start Me Up," "Love Train," "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," "Honky Tonk Women," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," "Mannish Boy," "You Got Me Rocking," "Brown Sugar." Encore: "Jumpin' Jack Flash." (from fansite kenkeppol.com).
Tour feedback: "While the Stones may have the most durable brand name in rock, they are not just selling nostalgia ... The Stones' job nowadays is to provide immediate pleasure and fondly recollected dangers, and to remind listeners that it is still possible to be absolutely professional while staying wayward." (New York Times); "Last night's show proved there's a reason fans shell out big bucks ... for a group that released its last significant album in 1980." (New York Daily News).; "At times it felt like this was a great solo Jagger show ... he did a magnificent job playing, dancing, flirting and drawing the audience into his sexy world, like he was still 17 or 30, or even 40." (San Jose Mercury News).
Previous Las Vegas appearances: Oct. 14, 1994 (MGM), Oct. 15, 1994 (MGM), Nov. 22, 1997 (MGM), Feb. 15, 1998 (The Joint), Arp. 16, 1999 (MGM).
Says Richards: "(Jagger's) never fallen over in his life. I've fallen over. Everybody else has fallen over, except Mick. You always watch your feet. But if he ever fell over, I'd pick him up. I'm a nice guy." (Rolling Stone, latest issue).
archive
