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Mick Jagger

In Honoring Charlie Watts, an Adoring Fan Relates the Transforming Power of the Rolling Stones

September 5, 2021 by Cathy Deutsch

The passing of Charlie Watts on 8/24/2021 has affected me deeply. It took me many days to find the words to express my sorrow and I still struggle to capture the breadth and depth that The Rolling Stones have had on me for over 55 years. As each person has a favorite song or band… this is the story of my fascination with The Rolling Stones. The editor of this press has graciously invited me to tell my story. I hope it strikes a chord.

Cathy with her daughter Avery at their first Rolling Stones concert together!

I will never forget the first time at 8 years of age in 1965 when I heard Satisfaction. I was in an after school arts and craft class with other pony-tailed girls when the song came on the radio high up on a bookshelf.  A fitting introduction considering that this song is about hearing something on the radio…..

To this day I remember with great vividness how I put down my papers mesmerized, staring at the dropped ceiling panels above the radio. Of course at such a young age I had no idea of the meaning of the song, but I was moved, almost hypnotized by its rhythm and urgency. From then on I was inexplicably attuned to their music. Luckily the radio was always on and their songs became the background of my life as I turned from a girl, to a teen, and eventually into the woman I am today. They, through their music, helped me to define myself, to accept my bigger than the box personality and to embrace my love of R&B, Soul and Rock & Roll. The music and performances of Mick gave me permission to be bawdy, to be all up front, to be sexual, androgynous, and to not be afraid to shake it!! 

As I got older and could go to concerts I saw them in New York whenever they toured. In 1973, my first concert, at the age of 16 when there was no Ticketron, we had to send postcards in a ticket lottery. All duplicates would be removed. With my Stones freak friend Susan (who looked a bit like Bianca) we sent around 100 post cards with the names of all our family members and pets, hoping to get tickets to all New York shows. My Aunts dog Coco, a Brown French Poodle got two tickets. ID would have to be shown at the box office, so I just walked into the library and asked for a library card under the name of Coco Benjamin. When the librarian questioned my unusual name I said my mother was French and named me after Coco Chanel. Score! Two tickets closer to success!! We did by hook and by crook get seats to all the shows at Madison Square Garden where we slowly but surely made our way to the front row every night. It was there that I lost my shoes, and would have lost much more given the opportunity!! 

Mick was the focus of my adoration, and remains a life long fascination but didn’t until I was older, learn to listen to the music as a band and not just the lead singer. When this happened it was  an expanded experience of what had already become my second heartbeat. I appreciated each of them as the perfect pieces that made the group what is considered The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in history. Keith was Keef, raunchy, dark, bad boy playing wild and brilliantly always a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Bill Wyman, then Ronnie Wood–both the bookends that added texture.The former members Mick Taylor, Brian Jones, were before my time. 

Charlie, dear Charlie, was always steady, the inside of the music hidden in the back that drove everything without flash. Demurring, humble, taking a small blushing bow at the end of the show. He was the good boy, a consummate professional, the beat that gave them life. He was a brilliant drummer, primarily a lover and player of jazz, whose ever steady rhythm, kept the band musically together. He was the backbone that let Mick sing it to his primal beat, and gave the space for Keith to let his guitar freak fly! 

In August 2019, I took my then 26 year-old daughter to her first large arena concert in New Jersey. I saw it as her initiation as she has had the songs as her second hand smoke all her life as I play and talk about them probably too much. We exuberantly danced and danced all night, never sitting down once. She even commented upon seeing people seated, “Do they think they’re at a freakin’ James Taylor concert?”. It was impossible to not move. She was mesmerized and fell into the tribal power of thousands dancing and singing under the stars. It was joyous, and remains one of the best nights we have ever had together and we have had many. At the end she said “Mom he’s a freak of nature, I get why you love him so much”. This from a 26 year-old girl captivated by a 76 year-old man. That is the power of The Rolling Stones.

My love for the band will always live on but it will never sound the same. This band of brothers has given the world a tremendous musical legacy. I’ve seen them around 12 times and will unabashedly say they have been some of the most exulted full body moments of my life. 

Contrary to lyrics, The Rolling Stones have given me Satisfaction and yes, I CAN always get what I want.

RIP Mr. Charlie Watts, a brilliant elegant gentleman who gave us a legacy unrivaled.

“We don’t mourn artists we’ve never met because we knew them, we mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.” Author Unknown

For those who would like to see a wonderful interview with Charlie I suggest; Charlie Watts Interview on Later with Bob Costas. Don’t love the line of questioning but it tells so much about Charlies history with jazz and his introduction to Rock and Roll. Available on YouTube.

 Also I will note a small sampling of songs that I enjoy where Charlie really shines.

      Midnight Rambler                 Jumping Jack Flash

      Gimme Shelter                      Paint it Black

      Honky Tonk Woman             Shine a Light

      Rip This Joint                        Wild Horses

      Can you Hear me Knocking   Sympathy for The Devil

 

Cathy Deutsch is a freelance writer and former restaurant columnist for The Country Shopper. Deutsch is also locally known as the founder and owner of the now closed Tiger Lily Boutique in Mount Kisco. She now enjoys her time as a personal shopper/stylist and baker, using lots of Brown Sugar!

      

Filed Under: Inside Thoughts Tagged With: Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, rock and roll, Rolling Stones Adoring Fan, Rolling Stones Concert, Satisfaction, The Rolling Stones, You Can't Always Get What you Want

The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones: A Showdown in Peekskill

December 16, 2019 by Kenneth Mighty

December 7, Peekskill, NY– A large crowd of eager ladies and gentlemen gathered outside of The Paramount Theater in Peekskill, NY, patiently waiting to see a battle between tribute artists for two of the most renowned bands known to rock and roll.  The heavyweight, 25-time Grammy Award winning band, The Beatles, took on the rebellious multi-million album selling band The Rolling Stones. It is safe to say both bands have their fair share of fans as they sold out nearly 1000 seats in Peekskill’s iconic musical theater venue this past weekend.  From the dancing in the aisles an at your seat, it was a show that will not be forgotten anytime soon by so many attending.

The Beatles, portrayed by the cover band Abbey Road started the show, opened with the Ed Sullivan show performance from 1964. After costume changes between sets, they offered two additional acts: the Sargent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, ’67, and the ’69 Rooftop Concert.  Abbey Road really wowed the audience with the perfect renditions of the monumental performances. Personally, I thought their Sgt. Pepper costumes were perfectly executed.

                The Rolling stones were portrayed by the cover band, Satisfaction. This internationally touring tribute band has performed over 3,500 times in the past 19 years. This band came off as surprisingly authentic. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are most certainly not two people who are easily impersonated. It was clear to me that this group did their homework and studied The Rolling Stones intensely. Not only did they perform the most memorable songs from The Rolling Stones but their costumes were also well thought out and almost identical to the wild fashion styles The Stones gave us at the height of their popularity. From the red scarf to the football pants, Chris LeGrand really had the moves like Jagger.

                Overall it was a great show and everyone in attendance seemed to really enjoy themselves. Both bands were in the lobby afterwards actively engaging with the crowd, answering questions, sharing photo ops and selling merchandise. During the show’s one intermission I got the chance to speak with a couple of people and ask them what they thought of the show, and who they believed was winning this epic showdown. Rocco D. from Valhalla, NY said, “I love this show. I love cover bands. There is nothing better than grabbing dinner and getting out of the house and enjoying good music.”

 When asked who he thought was winning the battle, he stated, “I think both bands are doing great, but I am more on The Stones side.” I also got the chance to speak with Lisa from White Plains who was sporting a white Beatles t-shirt and sitting in the front row. When asked about the show she said, “I think the show is awesome, I think both bands are doing well. I am obviously a Beatles fan but both bands are doing great.”

Hopefully both Abbey Road and Satisfaction can find their way back to Peekskill this spring or summer to perform outside, perhaps at Riverfront Green Park. I think that would be something the town would enjoy especially during one of the classic car shows held at the park.

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Abbey Road, Beatles, Mick Jagger, Musical Showdown, Rolling Stones, Stones

Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown at the Paramount–December 7

December 3, 2019 by Inside Press

“Beatles Chase” (l-r) shows Chris Paul Overall (“Paul”), Nate Bott (“John”), Axel Clarke (“Ringo”) and Jesse Wilder (“George”)

Chris Legrand (“Mick”), John Wade (“Billl Wyman”) and Trey Garitty (“Keith Richards”)

 

PHOTOS BY Michelle Fairless

PEEKSKILL, NY– For decades, the battle has raged: Beatles or Stones?  Through their heyday, fans accused London’s Rolling Stones of stealing ideas — even entire albums – from their Liverpool counterparts. At the same time, the Beatles secretly envied the Stones’ “bad boy” image and attitude, often copying their style.  Both bands are unmistakably great, scoring an array of hits that changed musical history, but only one can be the best.  The most infamous rivalry in rock and roll never played out in a public arena until now as Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown returns to the Paramount Theater on Saturday, December 7.  The show played to a capacity audience two years ago at the Paramount Theater. The show is appropriate for all ages. 

Will the Stones be yelling for “Help” to fight the songwriting prowess of Lennon/McCartney?  Or will the Beatles cry “Gimme Shelter” from the relentless sonic barrage of Jagger/Richards classics? 

While fierce competition fueled the creative output of both bands during the 1960’s, tension between the tribute performers is equally palpable. 

“The Beatles cornered the rock market on cute suits and fluffy hairdos, but then they stood still on stage and modeled them,” that according to Chris LeGrand, who plays a dead ringer for Mick Jagger in both swagger and ability.

“The Stones rocked the stage, and worked as hard as the bluesmen they modeled their stage show after, generating the smoldering sexuality that came to be a hallmark of great rock-n-roll acts.  The Beatles?  Well, they were cute!  The Stones were the original punks, outsiders at best.  Beatles took tea with the bloody Queen–how rock-n-roll is that?!”  

As for the Beatle response? “We got our Sgt. Pepper jackets made a little long so the Stones would have no problem riding our coattails!”  Mocks drummer Axel Clarke as Ringo.  “That Mick Jagger sure can move! It’s a shame he has to work twice as hard to be half as good!” 

Would you let your daughter marry a Rolling Stone, or your son come home with a Beatle haircut?  This ultimate battle of the bands pits the mop tops against the bad boys.  London against Liverpool.  Guitars will weep and dice will tumble, and in the end, when the whip comes down, only one band shall emerge victorious.   Whoever wins, the audience is sure to be dazzled by an “electrifying show” (O.C Register), with fantastic music, iconic wardrobe and spot on performances down to the onstage banter, missed notes and flubs heard on the original records.  

Members of both nationally touring tribute bands, Abbey Road and Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show, have taken great care to recreate the experience of seeing these incredible bands live so as to please casual fans and purists alike.  That ‘All You Need is Love’ spirit appears to be lost on Messrs. Legrand and Clarke, who continue trading barbs. “The Beatles wrote Let It Be, but the Stones countered with Let It Bleed!” snarls Chris.

“Listen, mate,” counters Axel. “The song John and Paul gave to the Stones (‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ in 1963) was one they let Ringo sing…that says it all!”  Ouch.

Beatles or Stones? You decide!

“Sgt Pepper”: Bott, Clarke, Overall and Wilder

  News Courtesy of the Paramount Theater 

 

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Audience, Beatles vs. Stones, Classics, competition, Inside Press, Legendary, Mick Jagger, Paramount Theater, Rock Market, show, Showdown, The Beatles

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