Okay it all started with one rather large yellow eight track tape that my parents had. "Made in the Shade" I played that bad boy over and over, not having a clue with the lyrics meant. I must have been 8 years old.
I loved all of my parents music collection form the Beatles to Dr. Hook. But I was hooked on the Stones.
Soon I was saving my allowance for Albums, then babysitting money for cassettes and now buying nearly every CD they crank out. Okay so not such a fan of the new stuff, but hey at least they are still Rockin and Rolling!
Saturday night was brilliant.
Even though it was my third time seeing the Bigger Bang Tour I was hyped. I intentionally bought a ticket on the floor in front of the Tiny B Stage… yep it was me I am the guilty party standing on my chair; blocking others while I danced the night away. I was in the 4th row center stage so close I could spit on Jagger, on that tiny island of a stage.
I am sure Sir Mick was not amused with my rather large butt dancing on my chair blocking half of his adoring fans behind me, as I am sure most people could see me better than his tiny leather frame. Having said that, I am sooooo attracted to the willowy man! I even got a stones tattoo nearly 12 years ago of the Andy Warhol created famous tongue logo.
This lucky girl even got a guitar pic from Saturday night. At the end of their set on the small B stage a white orbiting pic landed in front of my chair. I swooped down in lightening speed like a hawk to pick up my new pic!
It says Darryl Jones.com on the back, and since Darryl plays Bass he does not use a pic. So it can only be Mick’s (hope so) Keith’s or Ron’s pic.
Every member of the band has their name printed on pics…. So you never know who used it last?
As for the concert, the sound is always so bouncy at BC Place it sucks, but after a few songs you can block it out or luckily read Mick’s lips.
The floor had lots of energy and I had a blast!
If you want any more info, just email me…. Here are so pictures I took.
— Lisa P. Ringuette
In my book, seeing the Stones live ranked way up there in things I needed to do in my lifetime. When I found out that the Stones were coming to Vancouver I snapped up my two tickets.
The snow was definitely not a deterrent - I couldn't see an empty seat anywhere. Rolling Stones merchandise was flying off the shelves.
Finally, the stage darkened, Keith, Charlie and Ron starting to play Jumpin' Jack Flash and Mick made his entrance onto the stage.
The crowd went wild.
This was Mick Jagger in the flesh. The hair on the back of my neck stood up - it was hard to believe I was actually here.
Mick sang and grooved as only Mick Jagger could and never stopped for a second. Mick's moves are incredible, the faster the beat the faster Mick moves - it1s amazing to watch. I was completely mesmerized.
When the moving stage reached my row, Mick and the band was less than 10 feet away from where I was standing. I could clearly see Mick's eyes and the wrinkled on Keith only a few feet beside him. Sadly, a few people felt the need to throw items onto the moving stage, which was disheartening.
The band has enough going on and should not have to be concerned with that level of disrespect. Behind the stage, a box of guitars roll by followed by a team of people ready to change the equipment for the next few songs. The stage rolls by again, and again Keith looks down at us, while throwing guitar picks out into the audience.
While everyone seems to pick on the Stones due to their age, I cannot imagine the amount of living this group has done. Physically - I would guess that Mick could do the 100-meter dash in less time than 90% of teenagers today.
Eventually, the concert comes to a close, which seems absurd as thought I have only been here for a few minutes but I've been here for over two hours.
I feel both honored and privileged to have seen them live in concert. If there was one thing I would change - it would be a big smile on Mick's face during the final bow. Regardless, I left with a big smile on mine.
I could only hope for another opportunity to see them again.
As I watched Mick, Keith, Ronnie and Charlie travel into the audience on their sliding stage, a peculiar thought entered my mind, “If I die tonight, at least I die happy,” and I was. This was my second Rolling Stones concert and since I am only seventeen that is quite an accomplishment.
I saw them in Seattle and although that was a more intimate setting, the B.C Place show was absolutely astonishing. With fireworks, big screens, and an enormous tongue the Stones rocked the night away.
I spent the night with The Rolling Stones, and loved every minute of it. I am a 40 year old male and I went to the Stones concert with my 16 year daughter. Now, I consider myself to be in pretty good shape and my daughter said to me towards the end of the show, " Dad, he's ( Mick Jagger ) in better shape than you are and he is 63 years old.
" You know, I honestly couldn't say no to that comment. Jagger was in definite fine form and he did indeed look like a 23 year old out on stage. They, with their energy, made the entire evening terrific and I said to my daughter that this would probably be the best concert that she will ever attend in her entire life.
We had a great time. I grew up listening to the Rolling Stones in the 60's and attended my first Stones concert in June 1972 at the Pacific Coliseum just after my high school graduation. In 1989 I took my 10 year old daughter to see them during their Steel Wheels tour at BC Place and again on Saturday night I went with my husband.
The show that they put on was absolutely FANTASTIC, it was by far the best concert that I've ever been to! After all these years the Stones just keep getting better and they truly are the World's Greatest Rock 'N' Roll Band. Hope to see them back in Vancouver again.
— S. Parkin
Just got back to Hawaii after watching THE BEST show I've ever seen. Everyone was puzzled that I would travel so far to see a "concert.
" Well, after last night, I would like to say to all those who thought I was "outtah my mind," that it was well worth the money, time, and just plain effort. Even the customs official at the Vancouver airport didn't see any significance for my short 3 day trip. All I had to say was that I needed to see the last show of this tour and that was that.
I came here to Vancouver not only because I'm growing to love the place, but to see an awesome show. Plain and Simple. First of all, Bonnie Rait is a class act.
I have a new appreciation towards R B because of her performance. She really slid all over that strat's fretboard! Secondly, the setup was nothing I have ever seen before.
From the venue to the huge stage, it was really a "no holds bar/all out" situation. I was fortunate enough to get a floor seat, but just looking from the top level balcony, I had a feeling this show was going to be over the top. Then finally, the actual show was evidence that I spent my money well.
It was like a big party for everyone there. Mick moved like a 20 year old all about the stage. He made me breathless from all of his energy!
Keith performed flawlessly. I saw no evidence of this wonderman having injured himself. The man cannot be stopped.
Charlie and Ron were on fire! The whole band was on FIRE! But, (yes, there is a "but") why only a couple of songs from the new cd?
I counted 2 songs from the new cd. Yes, I did take notes only because I wanted to remember that night (minus the camera, since I abide by the rules printed on my ticket), my first Rollling Stones concert as the best ever! — Nora, Hawaii
This was my first time that I had saw the Rolling Stones and I am pretty sure that it will be the last, at least for here in BC.
...
because even Mick said he had not been to Vancouver since 1970! I guess he does not recall being here in January of 1988 :) But if he has not been here for that many years that is why I am thinking that they will not be heading back this way. We went to go see them mainly for that reason because who knows how much longer they will be playing new music.
Their old music will always be listened too though! The fireworks for the opening sure was fabulous! Even getting stuck way up in the row we were in was still wonderful because we did not have to stand up, we could sit down for the show, see the video screen, look with our binoculars, and then still hear the music fantastic!
Sure can not complain about the seating. Must say that Mick Jagger is still a very energetic man in great shape! Ron Wood is still looking young also showing others that this is a career to have and stay young forever!
Charlie Watts looks like a very cheerful smiley gentleman and then as for Keith Richards, my first time seeing them, he is wonderful man and being his own person! — Linda Toma, Penticton
I am glad the stones got to play,at long last,some of the more obscure classic songs from"Exile on main street album",for exemple..
Two generations of fans around the world can't be wrong,and the Rolling Stones are finally getting reviews with all the credit and respect they deserve.After more than forty years of dedication to Rock'n Roll.Obviously,Their stubborn devotion has obviously paid off.
Like a good wine, it got better with age..which brings us to Mick : a phenominal singer,(and leader.
.).The "true king"of England,for some of us,(if you know what i mean).
.;Ronnie fits the "Stones's image" perfectly;Charlie is the coolest drummer in the world,(and the subtle lock of steel that bonds the band together);and Keith,well,..
.despite recent "put-downs" about his looks in some articles,He is,as Marianne Faithfull puts it: Mr.Rock'n Roll himself!
..a true weathered pirate who will never agree to get knighted!
!..
.I do miss Brian Jones, though, still..
.Bonnie Raitt was also a nice consolation in replacing Van Morrison. I just hope they'll tour again,( i think they will.
)..In any case :" Long live Rock!
!". The Stones show opened fast, loud and hard at 8:45 pm, last night.
The impressive stage was a sight to behold every time I’ve seen it. Keith was bending and crouching; Ronnie was slashing and burning notes front and centre. But Mick was just Mick!
Highlights were the new ballad “Streets of Love” with Mick hitting the high notes, similar to 1975’s classic “Fool to cry”. They did a great job of Brown Sugar with Mick winding up the 50,000 fans. It was very loud and heartwarming.
The longest and loudest cheer for Keith on the tour was last night by far and 3 songs is huge! There was a mistake last night though, with Mick coming in way to fast on “You can always get what you want”, but it was straightened out after 15 seconds or so. Both promoters Michael Cole and Norman Perry were in attendance last night.
Mick and Keith’s daughters were dancing up a storm in front of row one. As an added note, the Stones just signed a 21 date extension, (the rumors are out there now- believe it). So the Bigger Bang bangs on starting in India in April 2007, ending with 2 June shows in London.
Some of these shows in Spain or Portugal are make-up shows from earlier this year. With any luck, just maybe we’ll see another CD and tour in the next 2-3 years following. So for you Stones fans see you in April.
The weather will be great in Bombay and I know a great pub there. — Randy Craig, Super Stones Fan, Kingswood Pub, Richmond
Yes, I went to the Stones concert last night. It was phenomenal, not to be missed!
Once in a life-time. The greatest rock band who ever lived played the final concert of their world tour in our city. Your paper had a rare opportunity for top billing - front page covering the Stones.
It missed. Small or stupid, the decision shames Vancouver! — Karen Johnston, Coquitlam
Tom Harrison got pretty close to describing how good that concert was.
I ended up 4 rows back from the other stage and I swear Mick made eye contact with everyone within eye contact range. I just hope they rock until the day they die.
Although it was a real treat to see Jagger and the boys at their best, there were a couple of huge flaws that, for some reason, the media have chosen not to mention.
The first was the very poor set up for getting the 51,000 wet, cold fans into the bubble. After dodging a major road closure close to BC Place, my wife and I arrived at the main gate to a massive crowd of people trying to get in with their tickets and passes. A well meaning, but ill-informed gate person suggested to us and several others that we should 'go to the next gate'.
Well, the next gate was pretty much on the opposite side of the building which was only accessible by detouring along the brige and back again. Everyone around us were complaining and more than a few 4 letter words were repeated. The next issue I had was the 1 hour delay in between the Raitt act (don't think anyone mentioned that she opened her act complaining, with good reason, about the poor acoustics in the bubble), and the stones intro.
Thinking that maybe it was necessary to prep the stage for the pyro and special effects show, I asked my son, who was at the Regina concert, how long the delay was there; 30 minutes and they played for about 3 hours apparently. And, being outside, the sound was not deafening and echoing like BC Place.
The next problem was with the massive eggress.
It was scary being jammed into the concourse with 51,000 people all desparately trying to squeeze out. Had there been any kind of an emergency, it would have been catastrophic! Even when you got outside it was gridlock resulting in masses of people walking up the middle of the roads between traffic.
All the write ups were acurate but it seemed to me like someone was getting paid not to report on the obvious problems that were evident to ourselves and everyone within earshot.
— C. Mason, Abbotsford
Rolling Stones’ Bigger Bang Tour ends at BC Place Stadium, November 25, 2006
Although I enjoyed the show, I still thought the Bridges to Babylon show which I saw January 1998 in Vancouver was better – slightly better.
Back then I thought to myself how they can top the Voodoo Lounge show. It wasn’t until I saw that infamous bridge extending out to middle of the stadium. I thought to myself, "Brilliant!
No other band could have thought of this." It was also the symbol for that tour. This is the sixth show I have seen them at BC Place, twice at Steel Wheels, twice at Voodoo Lounge, once at Bridges to Babylon, and now at the Bigger Bang.
The only downside of the show was several members of the audience surrounding me. Their singer voices were so terrible I wished I would have brought my ear plugs. They even had the nerve to boo during Keith’s set.
I said at least he sings better than you lot. Maybe not as better as Mick but at least he adds some soul to it.
The main highlights included when they rolled the small stage out to the middle of the stadium to do three songs.
But the biggest highlight was when Mick ran back and forth between the B stage and main stage during the encore song, "Satisfaction." I could not believe the shape of this guy, especially at the age of 63 years. I am 41 and I don’t think I can do this.
It was even funnier when you see the security men running along side of him trying to keep up.
Many have said this maybe the last time we see them. My guess it won’t be as I have read rumours the Stones are thinking about their 50th anniversary which will be in the year of 2012.
However, it may not be an elaborate stadium tour; they may wish to do smaller venues such as arenas or theatres and with less number of dates. By that time both Keith and Mick will be 69 years. I have no doubt they still will be a big ticket draw.
— James Andrew, Vancouver
1)on many songs Mick was singing out of key(he was tweaking his wireless pack on his belt alot,maybe he couldn't`hear himself) 2)the title of the song Get off my cloud was in the lyrics ,otherwise I wouldn't` of recognized the song.
3)one maybe two songs for Keith but three.snooze!
5)whoever was operating the board must of been fighting a loosing battle one minute Keith's guitar ripped your head off the next minute I can`t hear him in the mix.
6)some of Keith`s solo`s were of the calibre of a first year guitar player plus his physical antics were that of a 63 year old man.checkout 40 licks dvd for the real Keith Richards.
7)on sympathy for the devil Mick forced the song to move faster when he started singing faster than the music.The first thing that came to mind was,if they play faster they get on the jet faster.
8)the stage and lights were awesome that's called smoke and mirrors.
totally out of this world! UNREAL!
saturday night was a new milestone in my life.
i can say for the rest of my life that i saw and rocked out to the rolling stones! "The Greastest Rock and Roll Band" in the world!
i'm a 20 year old from Langley who got his dream come true.
i even made a jacket of keith richards for the concert, and i must say i didn't see anything else like it.
thank you rolling stones, you have done it again! hope to see you again, for that matter!
Me and my family trekked our way through the first snowfall of the year to see the Rolling Stones concert last night-it was the second time seeing them for me. To tell you the truth I thought they started out the show very slow and didn't really get things going until the middle.But my biggest disappointment of the night was the crowd around us.
Now this is addressed to the lady behind me that within the first 30 seconds of the opening song,Jumping Jack Flash, annoyingly tapped me on the back and said 'SIT DOWN' when we were just excitingly dancing for the entrance of the biggest ROCK and ROLL band in the world. My message to her and others like her is to next time stay at home, SIT on your couch in the comfort of your own home and watch the DVD of a concert. I mean come on!
What happened to having some passion and feeling the power of some good old rock n' roll. I KNOW it's only rock and roll but I LIKE IT! Loosen up people-you were at the Rolling Stones — NOT Yanni!
! — Sheri Williams, Langley
Here it is the morning after the Bigger Bang, and I’m huddled on the couch watching the snow fall and reading the two page layout on the spectacular event. I truly enjoyed myself last night; I have grown up listening to The Rolling Stones lyrics belted out from my mothers archaic stereo as she danced around doing the laundry, and singing off key.
As soon I as I heard that they were finally coming to Vancouver I was prepared to save up every loonie I could find in the couch and get a ticket, even if it meant forgoing my daily cup of Strabucks. Luckily for me, my mother (the true fan) had anticipated my excitement and ordered tickets online as soon as it was possible.
What stuck me most last night was the energy that washed over the stadium.
Just behind me while Bonnie Raitt was performing (extremely well I might add) an inflatable beach ball flew over head and into the crowd. My last sighting of the ball was with Ron Wood kicking it off the smaller stage that was immersed in the crowd.
The multitude of camera phones brightened the crowd enough to see the complete and total contentment that everyone was feeling as we danced and clapped along with Mick.
Permanently etched in memory is the sea of lighters held up by everyone in the crowd, cheering with all our might in hopes of an encore. Our pleas were answered with Satisfaction and as a collective we let our hair down, jumped, and sang until we were red in the face. Or at least I did.
Finally the end came, all who were on stage linked arms to bow. Then only the four poets were left to nod to the crowd and walk off stage together, ending a magnificent 18 month tour and an almost spiritual evening.
So here I sit, reliving each moment in my mind, bundled up in blankets wearing my new Rolling Stones toque, and sipping tea to soothe my very, very strained voice; a small price to pay for the ability to say that I sang along with legends.
— Ms. Katelin (Maggs) Craig
I was so excited to be able to go and see the Stones last night, being a "Brit" myself, it was great to be able to see these guys here in Vancouver.
The show was totally Awesome, the set was unbelievable, and the Stones were fabulous, im still singing the songs around the house 12 hours after the show finished!
Mick showed everyone that although he is 63 he still has more stamina than many 20 year olds infact he gave the security guys a good workout as they tried (and failed) to keep up with him when he ran down the stage!
We had a great crowd and i know several people that had booked tickets to originally see Van Morrison are now raving about the Stones.
It was a great night, Thank you Guys!
may you roll on for ever.
— T. Ambler Coquitlam
All I can say about lasts night performance from Stones is wow.
The way Mick gracefully moved on stage made me feel like I was 60. He was like a twenty year old up there. The stage and lighting was absoloutley unbelieveale.
The only thing that disapointed me were Keith Richards's out of key noisey guitar riffs. Other then that I was awe struk. I flew in from New York for this show it was absolutely fenominal.
I was VERY captivated. I've been a fan for 30 years. I've seen them perform many times have never been disappointed.
— Kerry O'Brien, Somers, NY
The Rolling Stones did not disappoint but surpassed any expectations. I attended with my girlfriends and my daughter, who wasn't even born when Paint It Black was released. The boundless energy and extra-ordinary stage and effects made for a concert of a life time, regardless of their voices at times falling flat, the show was the biggest and brightest of my life!
Rock n' Roll keeps you young and I hope they keep on Rocking! — Lynne Hooper, North Vancouver
The show last night was awesome. The lighting, stage, and pyrotechnics were amazing and nothing like I have seen before.
Mick’s energy and stage presence was so incredible that I did not want to miss any piece of the show. Keith Richards singing on the other hand, I could have done without — although he was fantastic on guitar. The sound quality wasn’t great but I understand that BC place wasn't the easiest place to set up.
Well last night was the final concert in The Rolling Stones Bigger Bang tour and my friend Bryon and I were there in all our glory. The first glitch was the predicted 20 to 30 cm of snow that was supposed to start falling mid afternoon to early evening. Not being fond of car travel at the best of times and being downright terrified of it in the snow, I was more than a little fretful when the first dry flakes started to fall just as we headed for town.
A quick stop at Safeway for a few other essentials found we were not alone in our thinking. Half the Lower Mainland must’ve been there to stock up as well.
We headed towards town in heavy traffic though the snow was still light and the roads merely wet.
We made it to BC Place stadium and managed to find the last spot in a pay parking lot, but by this time the snow was wet and much more determined. While I waited for Bryon to purchase the $30.00 parking ticket my beautifully coiffed hair became plastered to my scalp and icy flakes fell into the open collar of my coat.
And I didn’t wear my gloves, because?
Our plan was to find a quiet little place nearby to have a bite to eat and seeing we still had two hours until the show because at 6:45 we were laughin’. Yeah, right.
The first place we stopped was a hotel restaurant and we had to mash ourselves through the door just to get in out of the cold. A wait time of at least an hour and that was if you could force your way to the front of the room to add your name to the already long list. After a few moments consideration we decided to try our luck elsewhere.
Back out into the elements.
A block or two further on we spotted a sushi restaurant beside the Vancouver Library. We were lucky enough to find a table (one of only five) and get ourselves seated.
We ordered teriyaki beef and sat there avoiding the stares of those less fortunate who’d crowded their way into the small entryway and watched with dripping countenances as we enjoyed our food.
Seemingly quite overwhelmed with so many customers, the place was in a state of chaos so we chowed down, paid the bill and got the hell out. After a quick smoke in the lee of the library we headed on to BC Place.
It was just after six as we joined the throngs, looking for all the world like zombies from some B movie. We lined up like good little concert goers and I was even subjected to a having my purse searched. Like a middle-aged frump with snow laden hair would be smuggling anything of interest into a concert.
I guess they have to search a certain percentage though and seeing 85% of the entire crowd was made up of middle-aged frumps what else could they do?
We shuffled like cattle down onto the floor area and settled ourselves into two tiny plastic chairs that were fastened together in rows by plastic twist ties. And then we waited.
The place was less than half full when Bonnie Raitt took the stage at 7:00 but in that time beforehand, I had had a wonderful opportunity to study the crowd. It was frightening. Bring us your tired, your infirm, your downright ugly.
If this was an honest cross section of Vancouverites then bring out the gun. It wasn’t even that people hadn’t gotten dressed up, it was that most of them didn’t seem to have even bathed. Given the average age was probably 50 might have accounted for something and the fact they were all trying to relive their first Rolling Stones experience.
Even more sad was the fact we both fit in quite nicely, though I assure you we had bathed.
Not that there wasn’t the odd middle-aged doll, glammed up in finery from her youth with her make-up trowelled on just so. These are the women who amuse me the most.
You know in their hearts they believe if they can just get close enough to the stage for Mick to spot them, that somehow he’s going to seek them out and arrange for a backstage rendezvous. Hope springs eternal.
I looked around at the masses swilling beer and wine made conveniently available at nearby concessions, and wondered what had happened to rock concerts.
Long gone are the days of doing drugs that you bought outside the concert gates and smuggling a mickey of booze in, in your bra. Making sure it didn't slosh when you walked was always quite a challenge. And you could smoke your guts out in there!
Ah, back in the day…..
Now you sit there in your pre-assigned seat munching away on popcorn of all things.
I mean who ever dreamed of paying $7.50 for a plastic cup of warm Canadian? And forget fighting your way to a washroom once you were seated so just as well the beer was expensive I guess.
A room that size full of old bladders just didn’t bear thinking about.
Today’s youth will never understand what going to a rock concert is all about but that being said, I suppose I’m showing my age. I looked at the decrepit fans and tried to imagine them at their last Stones concert with long hair (okay, just hair then), smoking dope and mood dancing to the music.
Hard to imagine I ‘m in the same boat.
But I digress. Bonnie Raitt put on an excellent show and boy can that lady sing.
She seemed kind of down though and that may have been because this was her last show in a year and a half tour as well. The fact the stadium was still filling up with Rolling Stones fans during her entire performance might has had something to do with it as well. Did I mention how annoying to have people squeezing past you and leaping over seats in the next row to get to their seat while you’re trying to watch her performanc?
A lady a few seats down from us had obviously been imbibing a bit too much before she arrived and spent most of the evening with her head in her hands. Another babe standing behind us was firing up joints every five minutes and soon was flailing into anyone in her immediate vicinity . Nice to get a whiff of skunk though, just for old times sake.
The Stones finally came on just before nine and what can I say? They’re The Stones. Mick was still prancing around like a kid, trying to prove to the world that being 60 hasn’t slowed him down a bit.
His voice may have seemed a bit thin at times but at others he was just as good as ever. The low point of the evening was provided by Keith Richards, who after being introduced and enjoying an over-sustained chorus of applause, proceeded to sing three songs! I use the term "sing" loosely.
It was excruciatingly bad. He must not realize the applause was for the fact he’s still alive, or perhaps his guitar playing, but most definitely not for his singing.
There were the usual fireworks and the giant inflatable lips and tongue that have become the band trademark.
They even had a movable stage which traveled down the centre of the stadium so those poor slobs stuck at the back behind the mixing area could actually get a good look at them. A touch of class from the old boys I thought.
Now have I mentioned that with the opening strains of the first song, every idiot in the floor section was up on their feet?
That’s right. We had to stand for two hours (except for the fifteen minutes or so when Keith was singing and most people sat down).
The show ended just before eleven to a rousing rendition of Satisfaction and the boys left the stage for what may well be the final concert of their last tour.
Sad in a way but I realized that what may possibly be their last concert is most probably ours. Unless of course Pink Floyd should reunite and grace our fair city with their presence.
Shuffling en masse it took forever to wind our way out of the place.
A really nice touch was trying to get 50,000 people to exit the building through a row of revolving doors. Has no one ever thought what that might be like if there was a fire? (Guess I’m showing my age again.
)
We finally were freed from the stadium, the wet snow still falling but at least the streets were bare. Trying to fight your way across an intersection with people crossing in both directions at the same time was fun, as was trying to get our car out of the parking lot and into traffic.
I guess if this really was our final concert, who better to have seen than the Stones?
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they truly are the greatest rock’n’roll band of all times.
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