It Is The Evening of the Day: The Rolling Stones at 50

PJ Media ^ | 7/24/2012 | Brendan Bernhard

[softwarecreator]

They're playing the Olympic Closing Ceremonies and are planning a new tour. Roger is in phenomenal shape, and his voice actually sounds better than it has in years.

I watched a special about them recently. They were, and are, an amazing band, especially when you realize they had the best drummer (Keith Moon), best bass player (John Entwistle), and one of the best guitarists in Rock history (Townsend). Roger is one heck of a fine singer, too.

In terms of music quality, they are probably the 2nd best all around "rock" band of all time.

[Stormdog]

“His autobiography “Life” was one of the best reads I’ve had in years.”

I read the book and was pleasantly surprised. Like you, I changed my opinion of him.

[dfwgator]

Watch their 1970 concert at the Isle of Wight, just amazing. Still get a kick out of Ox’s skeleton outfit....just watching Moonie alone was worth the price of admission.

[TChad]

Who thought that Keith Richards or Ginger Baker would survive the ‘70s? Poster boys for the health benefits of drug abuse.

[softwarecreator]

Thanks for the tip. I've seen clips of it but I think I will see if I can find the concert somewhere online.

I do love the skeleton costume!

[Revolting cat!]

(The legendary British D.J., John Peel, topped everybody by claiming that the best Stones album was their first one, which began with “Route 66,” ended with “Walking the Dog,” and didn’t contain a single original composition.)

And Peel may have been right (he was referring to the British version of the LP, still unavailable here.)

I want to Stones to get their wheelchairs back in the studio, invite Bobby Keys and the boogie woogie piano player from Charlie's current band ABC & D of Boogie Woogie Axel Zwingenberger, and record an R&B album, their own or other people's tunes, but R'n'B, none of that second hand disco, reggae and hip hop.

[Windflier]

Folks can criticize the Rolling Stones for having stayed in the rock and roll game for so very long, but what they may not realize is that the Stones patterned themselves on the old blues greats and their culture.

Part of that musical culture is the concept that one follows the minstrel path for life. It’s not about pop culture, or staying on top with record sales. It’s a commitment to the craft, and the life. Even better, if you can really make a living at it.

Look at most of the blues greats of the 20th century, and you’ll see the exact same pattern. Those men and women sang and played until their dying days - despite the fact that all of their stars had long since passed their zenith.

It’s the way of the minstrel.