What a Beautiful Buzz

Everyone seems to have a lifetime list — that unwritten list of experiences one hopes to fulfill at some point in their lives. Such events may include visiting the Great Wall of China, attending the deciding game of the World Series or upper-decking the toilet in the house bathroom of someone you can’t stand.

My personal list of experiences includes the following, in no particular order:

  1. See the Rolling Stones in concert.
  2. Be in the same room as an American President.
  3. Have a non-speaking role in a Martin Scorsese movie.

On Sunday night I accomplished all three, having scored the ticket of a lifetime to the Rolling Stones performance at the Beacon Theater. The show was actually a benefit for the Clinton Foundation and filmed by the one and only Martin Scorsese, who will be making a movie using the footage from Sunday and Tuesday’s shows.

Clinton Marquee

I arrived at the Beacon about an hour prior to the 7 pm doors, simply to take in as much of the experience as possible. I met up with the Hidden Track’s own Scotty B, who quickly told me to meet him at Amsterdam & 75th for something I had to see. Sure enough, my first brush with fame this evening was right there on the corner: Jack White sitting patiently in a trailer.

Would he be playing with the Stones? How many more stars of today’s music scene were sitting in other trailers and private rooms around the Beacon? Having seen Scorsese’s masterpiece The Last Waltz too many times to count, it was now impossible not to expect a similar experience.

Entry into the theater took a little longer than expected, but I was among the first 100 people inside (and the celeb-picking began when I saw Angelica Huston get out of a car right in front of me just before I walked through the metal detector and identification checks). A delicious $6.50 Budweiser and prime real estate in the lobby then set me up for an incredible hour of people-watching.

There were really only three types of people entering the theater: Celebrities, millionaire politicians & businessmen that allegedly made a $60,000 donation to the Clinton Foundation for a ticket, and regular schmucks like myself. The schmucks were easy to spot: We were the ones standing around firing back drinks and staring at everyone that walked in. The millionaires suckers were easy to pick out because, quite frankly, they looked as if they had no idea they came to a Rolling Stones concert. And, of course, the celebrities are the celebrities. Every conversation I had with fellow schmucks about the celebrities and millionaires ultimately concluded with a “What the hell are we doing here?” exchange.

To give you a little background about myself, I am the Director of Promotions for a (champion) minor league baseball team. Scheduling and handling celebrity appearances at the ballpark are among my main responsibilities. I’ve met my share of former baseball players and actors, and I’ve always acted in a smooth and professional manner. But there was something different at the Beacon, because I really had no business being in that situation. At least I know I belong at my ballpark because, well, I work there. The hour I spent in the Beacon Theater lobby was nothing like that.

First to cross my path was none other than Richard Belzer. I’m not sure why I started laughing hysterically when I saw him, but it happened. Max Weinberg followed, then Keith Olberman (who graciously accepted my offer for a high-five), and the first shocker of the night, Michael J. Fox, stood next to me for a solid five minutes while he looked at some of the Stones’ merchandise. I have seen short clips of him here and there over the last few years, but words cannot explain the feeling I had seeing him in such horrible shape. I was inspired to see him make the effort to attend, but it was just too heavy of an experience to see Marty McFly in such a condition.

Belzer

A long fifteen minutes and a second Budweiser ensued, and I can honestly say I was pissed that I hadn’t seen someone famous in that time. Moments later, they walked in. I have never been in the same room as an American President, and I can honestly say it was everything I expected. Both Bill and Hillary graciously smiled and shook the hands of everyone in their path, giving me the goose bumps throughout their entire stroll. Had I gotten my drink two minutes earlier, I would have been right there to shake their hands and say something stupid to them too. Say what you will about Clinton, or any other president for that matter, nothing compares to being just a few feet away from a former leader of our country. Not even that time Richard Belzer walked right by me.

Clinton’s entry seemed to open the floodgates, and waves of famous peeps made their way into the theater. Hugh Jackman, Matt Lauer, Michael Stipe, Phil Collins, Oliver Platt and Courtney Love (I didn’t see her but was told she looked as if she were dropped off in her coffin) all made appearances and probably danced really awkwardly during the show.

My next-to-last encounter was with Elvis Costello, who came walking down from the balcony as I was walking up to my seats. I gave him a loud, friendly “Hey Elvis!,” and his retort was a puzzled stare after realizing he didn’t know me. But he reciprocated my friendly greeting with a handshake and a “Good evening” anyway.

I made my way into the theater as Clinton addressed to the crowd. He thanked all of the people in attendance and gave a brief overview of what his foundation does around the world. He’s always been a great speaker, and nothing about this night was any different. Lots of laughs and lots of applause met much of his introduction.

Stones Marquee

After a brief delay of about 10 minutes, it was finally Rolling Stones time.

Charlie, Ronnie, Keith and Mick made their way to the back of the stage in clear view, and the crowd erupted. The lights then went out and a booming voice from the speakers declared: “Ladies and gentlemen, performing for the first time-ever at the Beacon Theater, please welcome The Rolling Stones.”

And just as I had always envisioned my first Stones concert, they charged out ripping right into Start Me Up. Goose bumps – again. They may not be as tight as they were say, 250 years ago, but seeing Keith slithering around and Mick proving he still has the best dance moves in rock and roll right from the start was pure joy.

As soon as the music started, the cameras kicked into motion all around the stage and house. From my view in the balcony, I counted at least eight: one gigantic camera on a crane in the middle of the orchestra seating, two on both the left and the right sides of the stage, two on wheels behind the band and one directly in front of the stage. While I don’t believe I saw Scorsese scurrying around at all during the show, it was very obvious from the get-go that there’s going to be a lot of footage to work with.

They continued with Shattered, She Was Hot and All Down the Line before launching into my personal highlight of the night, instantly becoming one of my favorite concert moments of all time. The crew set up a second microphone next to Mick’s and he told the crowd, “This was one is going to be a duet – and it’s called Loving Cup.”

Out walked Jack White, acoustic guitar in hand to join Mick at the front of the stage, who also held an acoustic now. Mick sang the opening lines to the song before Jack and the rest of the band kicked it into gear at the first “Give me little drink!” line. More goose bumps. I’ve seen the popular rock band Phish perform this song exactly 13 times, so to finally hear the Stones play it live, and in the Beacon Theater of all places…well, yahtzee. Jack took the next verse and they continued to alternate lines until they sang the chorus a few times together at the end.

Stones

(Many thanks to “Bitch via PartyDoll MEG” over at the Rocks Off Rolling Stones Message Board for this particular photo above)

The rest of the show was mostly hits with some rarities mixed in. It certainly did not reach The Last Waltz levels of guest appearances, but the Stones did share the stage with two other people during the show. Buddy Guy, the show’s opening act, joined them for a fun rendition of the bluesy Champagne and Reefer, and Christina Aguilera bounced on stage to sing Live with Me alongside Mick. At first I was a little shocked at the latter collaboration, but Christina provided a dazzling compliment to Mick’s crazy dancing on stage. She both looked and sounded fantastic, and although it was still a bit weird to see her up there, the end result was very enjoyable.

After the one-two punch of Paint it Black and Jumping Jack Flash closed the set with flashing spotlights all over the stage and crowd, a typically rousing encore of Satisfaction ended the show. They all took a bow at the front of stage and Keith provided the hilarious final image of the night by tapping his head, heart, junk and the ground, as if to acknowledge he has no idea how he’s still intact but doesn’t really care.

I descended from the balcony, reflecting on my night, when I realized that following me down the steps was Sheryl Crow, looking absolutely beautiful in her blue jeans and black leather jacket. As any other heterosexual male would have done, I hung around the lobby for a bit pretending to be waiting for someone while secretly (or not so secretly) appreciating her presence.

As everyone made their way out the door, we came upon your typical crazy guy in New York City who was pacing back and forth outside the theater muttering something about the dumb fuck who was supposed to pick him up. Within seconds, Sheryl walked over to a policeman, took him by the arm, looked over at me and smiled, then walked across the street to catch her ride. That was all I needed to end the night. A ridiculous spectacle inside the theater, a great show by the Stones and a smile thrown my way from Sheryl Crow.

I don’t know if I’ll ever see the Stones again, be in the same room as an American President or have a non-speaking role in a Martin Scorsese movie, but I had it all Sunday night. And it didn’t suck.

10/29/06 Setlist: Start Me Up, Shattered, She Was Hot, All Down The Line, Loving Cup with Jack White, As Tears Go By, I’m Free (last played in Dec 21, 1969 according to Gazza), Undercover, Just My Imagination, Shine A Light, Champagne and Reefer with Buddy Guy (live debut), Tumbling Dice, Band Intros, You Got The Silver, T & A, Sympathy For The Devil, Live With Me with Christina Aguilera, Paint It Black, Jumping Jack Flash; Encore: Satisfaction.

Hal Hansen wants you to subscribe to his monthly newsletter, “Fanboy Fluffer Concert Review Digest: An Experiment in Positive Adjectives.” He can be reached by leaving a clever or ironic comment below or by e-mailing him directly at [email protected].

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0 Responses

  1. GREAT STUFF Hal, I first saw the Stones in Toronto in 1968!! Yeah Yeah I know Hal…before you were even born…but let me tell you, your experience sounds like a helluva lot more than mine…good for you!!!

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