I Can’t Get No Satisfaction - From The Corona Virus

Despite all of the terrible things this Corona virus has caused, I’m thankful for many things.   I am thankful that as I write this, we are clear of the virus, all my boys are still working, and I haven’t killed my wife during this time of social distancing (although it could be considered justifiable homicide).   However, the virus has scuttled my plans to see the Rolling  Stones this summer.  And at their age, This Could be The Last Time.   

Whenever I think about the Stones, I always remember the first concert I ever attended had them on the billing.  That began a long run I had with Mick and the boys.  In fact,  I’ve seen them in every decade from the sixties to the present.  That’s right, the Sixties.  This particular concert was in 1965, and I was 12 years old.  It was sponsored by WVOK in Birmingham, Alabama - billed as one of their “Shower of Stars” events. And this one lived up to its billing.  Headlining this show were the Beach Boys, the Righteous Brothers, and of course The Rolling Stones. In addition, several other acts performed including Marty Robbins, Sonny James, Del Reeves, country star Skeeter Davis,  and Archie Campbell, who would later become a regular on Hee Haw. That is not a typo. Suffice it to say this had to be the only time you would ever see Archie Campbell and The Rolling Stones on the same show.  Star power like this made it well worth the whopping $3.00 ticket price I had to shell out.  

The Righteous Brothers were at the height of their powers.  They released four LPs in 1965, three of which were produced by Phil Specter. They contained the mega-hits Unchained Melody and Just Once in My Life.  But do not kid yourself. The big draw that night were the two mega bands.   In 1965, the Beach Boys were still America’s Group. That year they released California Girls, Help Me Rhonda, and Dance Dance Dance (which I proudly still own on a 45 single).  And The Rolling Stones, along with the Beatles, were leading the British Invasion. They had a number of hits in 1965, including Satisfaction, The Last Time, and Get Off My Cloud.  

This concert was so big it was held outdoors in Legion Field football stadium. But size is a relative term - especially back then.  There weren’t 70 or  80 thousand in attendance.  Seating  was exclusively in the  new north end zone.

Nevertheless, this event was a undoubtedly a forerunner  to all of the mega stadium concerts we see today.   And for years, WVOK had concerts with multiple artists in the line up.  This one in ‘65 was two years before the Monterrey Pop Festival, and 4 years before Woodstock. 

In an unbelievable, yet common practice at the time, my Mom took me to the stadium, and dropped me and my best friend off at the main gate.  I don’t even think I had to beg her.  Things were different then. We also played wiffle ball in the street.  I may have even run with scissors, and taken  candy from strangers, I don’t know.   But I do know if that happened today, DHR would probably remove me from my home.   By comparison, Millennial parents won’t let their kids go to the mailbox without a police escort.  

Fifty five years has dimmed my take on that show.  But there are a few things that stand out. I remember the excitement surrounding the whole thing.  And it seemed so.... big.  The Beach Boys closed the show, resplendent in their trademark striped shirts. I loved them.  They were my band. But the energy of the Rolling Stones was something I will never forget.   I liked them before the concert - but when I  left the stadium, I was  a true fan. 

The next few years I was lucky - concert wise. My  timing was close to perfect. When I headed to the University of Alabama in the fall of 1971, both Tuscaloosa and Auburn were major stopping points for big name groups.  Concerts were plentiful and cheap.  So we saw everyone who was anyone, from The Who to Elton John. I especially remember Elton John because I forged a ticket to get in. Since I was flat broke, I drew a passable replica on a piece of poster paper. When I handed it to the ticket taker at the coliseum,  the crowd behind me just pushed me right inside.   My moxie was rewarded when I heard him introduce a brand new song - something called Crocodile Rock.   How did that song do?

As I moved into adulthood, concerts became less frequent - all that grown up stuff took up my time. Despite that,  I have managed to squeeze in a few.  Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead come to mind.  Jimmy Buffet never fails to entertain. But honestly,  that first one in 1965 is the most memorable one.  The groups, the venue, the time in my life - everything fell into place perfectly. 

And all of that was for three bucks. 

#theRollingStonesrock

#notolderbetter

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