News Flash: Stones tickets are expensive

The Stones played in my backyard recently, better known as
Fenway Park. Ticket prices ranged from $99 to $450, before any
applicable TicketRapist convenience charges. And to give an idea
of how the range works, a good number of the $160 tickets were
obstructed view.

I love the Stones, I love concerts and I love Fenway. But there was
just no way I was going to see this. Assuming I spent the $450, I
would be spending a quarter of my monthly check, and I’m sure
my landlord would love to hear that I had blown a good chunk of
my rent on two hours of four old Brits.

I actually did get to catch the Stones a few years ago. In 2002 I
paid $90 to sit in the stands at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.,
home of the Patriots. I clunked down the money for a few
reasons: I was going with my dad, uncle, sister and friends, I
loved the band (as previously stated) and I wanted to be able to
say that I saw them, if only once.

I’m not a rich guy. Not even close. And I have a feeling that most people aren’t rich, either.
Few are even well off. But a lot have liked music, either currently, passionately, passively or
at just one time in their lives.

So with that, I’ll say that a lot of people like the Rolling Stones. I do too — I love them. Their
late 60s and early 70s work, back when they really might’ve been the Greatest Rock N Roll
Band In The World, holds up amazingly well. Their revival in the late 70s and early 80s, the
Some Girls and Tattoo You era, has some great moments. Hell, I liked Voodoo Lounge.
I’m a Stones fan, through and through. My cassette copy of Hot Rocks may have turned me
to the dark side of rock at a tender age, and for that I’m ever grateful.

I just wish they would stop treating me like a worn-out hooker.

Unless I get hired by the band, I’ll likely only see them once.

What hurts so much is that they really were great. Sure, a lot of people dug the giant stage and screens, and yes
the flames during “Sympathy for the Devil” were cool, and yes, Mick Jagger looks ridiculous prancing his 60-year-
old body around the stage like that, and the fireworks after “Satisfaction” seemed like it won the crowd over, but
that’s not what got me. What hit me was that they sounded GREAT.

They came barreling out of the gate, threw themselves into
“Brown Sugar,” and never let up. Later on, they played some
gems that have always been favorites, including “Monkey Man,”
“Midnight Rambler” and “Before They Make Me Run.” It was as if
they were reading my mind. They played “Gimmie Shelter” for my
friends. They played “Start Me Up” for my uncle. They even played
“Angie,” which happens to be one of my dad’s favorites.

I left with a good feeling and a cool T-shirt that night. I probably
spent the next two weeks on a total Stones kick. Sure, I had paid
a lot, but I got a lot back. That wouldn’t have happened had I
thrown down the dough for either of the Fenway shows. I’d be
spending money I didn’t have to spend and sitting there
wondering how they were going to be worth $450. Especially
since the setlist that night seemed less than stellar — I’ve never
liked “She’s So Cold” and I never will.

I’d love to see them again, but I doubt I will. And if I don’t, then I
have a fantastic memory of an aging band on a great night.

It’s just too bad I won’t get to repeat it.