In Concert: The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones Arrowhead Stadium; Kansas City, MO (6/27/2015) image from The Pitch (6/28/2015)

Opening Act: Ed Sheeran Members: Mick Jagger (vocals) Keith Richards (guitar, vocals) Ronnie Wood (guitar) Charlie Watts (drums) Review: Seeing the Rolling Stones in concert was a mistake. I made the mistake of not bringing my son, thinking a 12-year-old couldn’t care less about a band only on his radar because of Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger.” I made the mistake of joking that these septuagenarians (except for young pup Ronnie Wood – all of 68) would have difficulty commanding a stage, given the interference of their walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. I made the mistake of dismissing Mick Jagger’s a reputation as possibly rock music’s greatest frontman ever. Finally, I made the mistake of thinking it would be a good idea to go to any other concert again after this one. I’ve seen my fair share of rock legends on stage – Allman Brothers, Pat Benatar, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Journey, John Mellencamp, The Police, Bruce Springsteen, Styx, Roger Waters, and Yes all spring to mind. However, none came close to matching the stage presence of Mick Jagger. The man didn’t just command a stage, but an arena with his exhaustive prancing and ability to get a crowd revved up. This was not a fat cat millionaire just phoning it in. Aside from Jagger, there were a lifetime of memorable musical moments. How does one not melt when Keith Richards launches into the arguably most famous guitar riff off all time with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”? Who wouldn’t be moved by the choir at the beginning of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”? How about the chops of the female singer on “Gimme Shelter” or the bass solo during “Miss You”? Hell, the final curtain call with just Jagger, Richards, Woods, and Charlie Watts bowing to their audience was tear-worthy. So I offer my apologies to my son for not making this his first show. I apologize to the Stones for ever dismissing them as past their prime. I apologize to every other performer I’ll ever see when I say, “Well, they were good, but they weren’t the Rolling Stones.” Click here to see other concerts I’ve attended. The Set List: 1. Start Me Up 2. It’s Only Rock and Roll But I Like It 3. Tumbling Dice 4. Doom and Gloom 5. Beast of Burden (with Ed Sheeran) 6. Kansas City 7. Bitch 8. Wild Horses 9. Street Fighting Man 10. Honky Tonk Women 11. Before They Make Me Run 12. Happy 13. Midnight Rambler 14. Miss You 15. Gimme Shelter 16. Jumpin’ Jack Flash 17. Sympathy for the Devil 18. Brown Sugar Encore: 19. You Can’t Always Get What You Want 20. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for The Rolling Stones Dave’s Music Database: “Concerts” First posted 6/27/2015; last updated 8/5/2023.