#2— The Rolling Stones

years later my favorite DJ’s Carol Miller & Jim Kerr worked down the hall a iHeart

I was not allowed to wear the ¾ shirt with the tongue which I really wanted to buy at ‘Oriental Pearl’ in the mall, I was in grade school. In 4th grade I wrote about the British Invasion, so the bands logos and images already meant a lot to me.

The Stones felt much darker than the Beatles, I liked that a lot, more mystery and edge. Keith.

I started with Tattoo You on cassette, I vividly remember flipping the tape while raking leaves earning some chore money one fall, thinking, damn, EVERY song is good.

Next came the obligatory greatest hits collections, I even learned As Tears Go By on guitar.

Over the years I worked my way backwards to Exile and Sticky Fingers (the one with the zipper that zips). The vibe of young Mick & Keef, backing from Charlie and Bill, nothing better in Rock music. I unequivocally have logged more time listening to the Stones than any other artist.

Diane and I got to see Mick and Keith perform Salt of the Earth up close at a 9/11 benefit during our AOL Music days. It was a heavy time in NYC, we lived on West 10th street and smelled the Towers burning for more than a month after the attack-- this performance was so moving during an incredibly emotional time for New Yorkers and the world.

Shortly after, I saw the Stones do a small-room play at the Wiltern (2k cap. LA theater) on Nov. 4 2002. I was on the floor and barely watched the band, the sound was so good, pure bliss, they opened with Jumping Jack Flash and closed with Tumbling Dice. Sick.

At some point I saw Mick solo at the El Rey (800 cap LA club), the label arranged an industry meet up but I chose not to “line up” to say hi to Mick, it felt too forced.

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