46 yrRetrospective of the Rolling Stones at Soldier Field

A 46 yr Retrospective of the Rolling Stones, Me and Soldier Field 1978 and 2024

(as I write this, I am listening to the actual 1978 Stones concert in Chicago at Soldier Field, some enterprising person recorded it and now is on You Tube)

Well we will start with obvious, age, I decided to put this retrospective in 3 views of 46 years apart, the Rolling Stones, Me and Soldier Field. In 1978 The Rolling Stones, the first time to see them, were the hottest ticket of the year and the fear was selling out even at soldier field with a estimated capacity at the old Soldier Field close to 80,000 with the standing spots along colonnades (Soldier Field a Monument to our soldiers-Bears pretty much sucked then). Acquiring Tickets was at Ticketron in the Carson's store at the mall. We stood in line as I remember (I believe wrist bands did not start for awhile yet) but being young and it was a ritual, also got to see who was going and somewhat fun. They were not sold out yet, about 15 dollars apiece, we were set. On the day of the concert I suggested and we decided to take the train in from the suburbs as it was easy and because past experience of using the train to go to UIC, it was just natural make a day of it. As a UIC student I had extensively explored Chicago so it the logical thing to do when your young, just get off the train and wonder in the direction of Soldier field and we did get there just in time to see the Stones, so we thought. I was equipped with my Canon Camera and new Telephoto lens, I was set. Apparently we got there a little early, warm up bands. The goal for me it was to get the best photos of the Stones as possible. We basically had crappy general admission type seats. That was Ok as I was able to wonder with my camera and practice on the warm up group to find the best spots to take photos. I wandered up to the colonnades and took some of the vast crowd, my thoughts were holy crap this view of the Soldiers Field as a whole just amazing, great shots. Evan some the great shots published is this perspective. I took out the roll of Black and White film I always carry and starting taking these great shots where the colonnades became stars. The place I took a spot to photograph the Rolling Stones was at the side stage with OK shot but as the Stones came out all security was eyes on them. As I watch a few of the fans jumped the railing all eyes were on Mick and I said what the hell. Jumping the railing to what was a platform on the field and could get closer and better shots. This was fun even though it was Hot July day, no relief and even in the later part of the day. The concert I was seeing then was with fresh eyes and it was great time. The stage looked like big Lips and the smaller stage into the audience looked like the Tongue sticking out of the Lips. I knew I had great shots from where I was taking photos from. The crowd was in the range of my age and younger, very docile, there was wafts of Marijuana in the air, with the heat. I know I bought some drinks ( possibly a couple of Cokes) before the start of the Stones but because my great place to photograph them, nothing till after the concert. After the show I bought a T-Shirt off one of the venders (6 dollars) outside Soldier Field and the shirt lasted a few years as I wore it regularly.We made sure to get back to the train station as 1 AM is the last train back home, we made it, long hot day but a great day. As I hear the actual concert from 1978, I hear it differently as I now know what to expect even though some the songs they probably haven't sung in a long time since or ever again. It was the concert of the year. The Reader ( A Chicago alternative to the Tribune or Sun Times newspapers) had a Rock Photo Contest and one of the photos I took at this Concert won me 3rd place and a brand new 35 mm Camera and Lens. As I remember more..To be continued ......

As a great fan I have attended at least one show in each decade so that is 6 decades

Now in 2024

First Stones Concert

June 27th

In the in between years I became a Photographer and then to a Web Designer. This is where you go into a different direction and yet it all comes back to Stones concert at Soldier Field. I had fun doing all kinds of Photo Jobs (Boudoir my favorite). As the Internet became big 1996, I went to Web Design as I had learned how to write computer code at UIC in the 70's. Did nothing with it at the time as was not creative, basically banks, financial, numbers. But in 1996, Internet gets big, can get really creative, put my Photo business on line used photos from Stones concerts in my photography web site and started doing web design. So 10 years ago I started Streaming my Classic Rock radio station, Once again having the computer background I knew streaming would be big and I could start my Classic Rock radio station for very little as I write the code, took the Rock Photos including Stones concert photos and Design the web site with an art degree. But as my wife said, is that radio station going to be enough for you to keep you busy when you retire? Well there is always concerts. 2023 So as I am ready to buy the the Stones Tickets, once again the Stones tickets are the ticket to have even 46 years later. My wife says AARP is giving first access to tickets to buy Stones tickets if you join AARP for one year at 12 dollars, no brainier plus lots of jokes and puns come out of it. So I get the tickets for both concerts in Chicago and settled on price and view, definitely worth it. Another different thing that is now a standard is a digital ticket. So this is going good so next I need to decide how I am getting there. I have gotten to the age that I have seen most Chicago and if makes me feel young but driving and I am older and do use a cane so hiring someone to drive good idea. I wore my Voo Doo Lounge T-Shirt as it always gets comments, great design. The drive was great and he is driving close to Soldier Field I saw the the perfect view of Soldier Field looking like Space Craft that landed on the lake front (capacity about 66,000, Bears still suck). The scanning of the ticket off your phone great and free Wi Fi. The crowd as like later Stones concerts was as usual, like no other audience. In the first 5 minutes of arriving, an older couple walking where the man has with him portable oxygen and a couple with their pre teen kids. As I said about 1978 crowd and now 2024 they were my age and younger, and now allot younger, 4 generations. Also the Stones early in their career did not encourage audience joining in but Queen changed that for the Stones. So the concert started late, got a little cool, but nothing new there. I had eaten before so the 15 dollar Popcorn was easy to pass up. Because it was cool so I really didn't need to drink and with the lines to the bathroom, it was also easy to take a pass.The Stones were on their game, the crowd love it, Mick did some election jokes (first debate), and reminded everyone to vote. Just enough to let you know he still knows his core audience is very part of what happens. Great music, did a couple off of new album. I called into my Classic Rock station to give my assessment. The stage was more tech with basically giant gumbo trons . The Stones 2024 have traveled with horns, strings and pianos, so it is important to sound good yet. A few less original members and few new. Just a good night. It is still truly great to see the vast ages come to see the Rolling Stones. It is still the concert to go to but it is more now a family shows up and what that says it is still OK be a rebel at all ages. I did buy a T-shirt (50 Dollars)

Second Stones Concert

June 30th

Their was video on You Tube of first concert. Cameras are not let in, but phones are because you guys with the phones are doing their advertising. The concert was great. They were on point again, the crowd responded and Keith sang 4 songs and they did a couple of new album songs. The crowd did not miss the jumping around of Mick, it was that Great Music they came to hear. As usual a wide range of ages and I saw two kids under age one. The best was were Dad was carrying him with that front like pouch. The other person who also put a smile on my face was a woman (baby boomer) wearing a Granny dress with a Flower in her hair. Now to bring you back to something that was missing and that is OK, the wafting smell of Marijuana (It was breezy). There was allot of Munchies being eaten and drinking of Beer, the selection of food has greatly increased since 1978. Also the lack of Smell of Marijuana maybe just that because it is legal now and that young Rebel in so many of us has turned into other causes. Also it may be because it has turned into such a family atmosphere. Or maybe it has turned into Margaritas and Beer as they were selling Margaritas and I know there was no Margaritas in 1978 unless you brought them in yourself. Whatever the reason Bad Boys of the sixties has turned into a family nite out. I called into my Classic Rock radio station to give my review, what a great night. To Be Continued....

The next time the Rolling Stones come to Chicago is in 1981 and I do a Photo Job that pays me with 4 Front Row Seats to the Rolling Stones at the Rosemont Horizon

How I got 4 Front Row Seats to the Rolling Stones Entry15

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