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| Rolling Stones Ford Field November 15, 2021 |
My son, Eric, and I attended the Rolling
Stones concert at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, November 15, 2021.
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| Pastor Mike and son Eric |
The tall projection
screens, pre-concert, showed images of deceased drummer Charlie Watts and the
crowd of 65000 chanted “Charlie, Charlie, Charlie, Charlie!”. This United
Methodist Pastor and the Presbyterian Elder, Rita, beside whom I was sitting and had never before met, considered
it somewhat of an “All Saints” moment for the band and fans!
One would think that Mick, being 78 years
of age, and the others of comparable condition, would have been lacking in
their performances. I assert that they lacked nothing! Mick’s energy, vocal
integrity, and overall presence was superb. The musicianship of the others was
precise and skillful.
I acknowledge Elvis Presley as the King of
Rock and Roll. But I must claim Mick, with his captivating performance and
sense of personally engaging presence, to be the personification of the spirit
of rock and roll in all of its dimensions.
The set was comprised of many of the great hits
that have stirred us to dance on the concert floor, accelerate the automobile
on the interstate, and sing along in the shower over the past six decades!
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| performance of "Sympathy for the Devil" |
While all of the songs were great, I must
pay particular homage to “Sympathy for the Devil”. Yes, I know others have
covered that song. But, only Mick can make it plausible.
He stands tall in a long black and
reflective jacket as he, with incomparable hubris step by deliberate step, approaches
the microphone where, upon a burst of grandiose and unrestrainable personality,
begins to vocalize “Allow me to introduce myself…” One feels as though they’ve
been invited to one truly badass moment.
The song lyric is theologically accurate to
the sensibilities of this pastor, and also to the elder beside whom I sat. The
Devil takes credit for the mischief he has caused over the centuries and offers
the warning that he should not be casually dismissed, or he will “lay your soul
to waste”!
The aromas of alcohol and a recently
legalized substance in Michigan mixed together to leave no doubt whatsoever
that one was at a Rolling Stones concert and furthermore, one could almost feel
that one had stepped through the time portal into 1968…except for the many who
attended in wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.
Ah, but it was
fun!
Thank you,
Mick, and all for having gathered together this ephemeral congregation of the
faithful for two hours plus of the greatest rock on the planet!
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| "Gimme Shelter" Mick with Sasha Allen |
