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With Allan Day

THE STONES LICKS TOUR 2002-03/ A STONES STORY BY ALLEN TWITCHELL

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The Tour Program Licks Tour All Access Pass
 Licks Limo/Blimp Cancelled Show Ticket Store Display CD Case

The 2002/2003 World Tour is all set to begin---I have my tickets and Judy and I are heading to The Skydome for another exciting night of Rock n Roll and what better band to Rock Us. This is the year that the Stones have an extra stage in the middle of the floor and they rock the oldies from that position for about 6 tunes----we are lucky enough to be right in the first row where the stage ends---we can feel the heat and the excitement mounting as it gets closer for the stage to expand---this little mini set is the highlight of the night for us being so close to the Rock Gods----this is a Great year for me as a Stones fan as I negelected to buy a ticket for my daughter (and she let me know about that) The Stones decide to do a second show at the Air Canada Centre---I headed to Toronto by train and told her by the end of the day, we would have our tickets for the show---I figured I was going to have to use my whole paycheck to buy a ticket from a scalper. I'm heading down Yonge Street to look for the scalper and pass Sunrise Records---I figured what do I have to lose, I'll check and see if by some chance, someone cancelled their tickets at their ticketmaster outlet---lo and behold I got second tier/centre with a perfect view for the small stage once again---The White Stripes opened for them that night and a good time was had by all.

I recently exchanged emails and a few pieces of memorabilia with Allen Twitchell another Stones fanatic. Whenever we get chatting, it's like talking to ourselves---we have the same story for every topic---see I'm not crazy, there are other souls like me out there---anyway, he mentioned that he placed 3rd in The Kansas Press Association's annual awards in 2003 about his trip to The Stones World Tour. After reading his great story, I just had to put it in one of my columns---hope you enjoy reading about his experience at the 2002/2003 Licks Tour

Photo attachments this week are my Stones Lick Tour Program, an All Access Pass that just so happened to belong to one of the pilots of the Blimp. My brother Mike happened to meet up with both the pilots and when telling them about his crazy Stones collecting brother---he gave him his pass to give to me (alright!! very much appreciated Mike) the China/Hong Kong Ticket is from a cancelled show---The Stones Limo/Blimp, very cool and a store display case for the 40 Licks CD.

http://members.tripod.com/blue_lena/g...uitar2.html Check this site out for some GREAT PHOTO'S of Keith and his Guitars.

GETTING MY LICKS' By Allen Twitchell

Keith Richards is a fissure-faced 59-year-old Telecaster-toting tatterdemalion whose cracked voice reeks with every downed drink, smoked cigarette and taken drug, and who, on a good hair day, sports a bad bird's nest.

The skull on the silver ring permanently affixed to his right hand better exemplifies physical health.

But, when it comes to setting the tone for the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band, time is not only on Keith's side, it's at his mercy, as were the 18,000 of us, some paying as much as $300 and liking it, to worship at the feet of this gruesome godhead of guitar.

Of course, Keith had a little help from his mates, Mick, Charlie and Ronnie, collectively known as the Rolling Stones, who left Oklahoma City jumpin' like Jack Flash on this autumnal January night.

The Stones, celebrating 40 years of existence with the Licks World Tour, their first since 1999, proved to be anything but jaded geriatrics gumming their way through songs written when stereophonic sound was considered high-tech.

Mick, Keith and the boys still have teeth — and tongue.

Still, you can't always get what you want at a Rolling Stones concert, especially if you follow the rules.

The object of my desire was an autograph from Richards, a fellow self-destructive Sagittarian whose presence has long fueled my passion for the band.

Since buying a ticket early in July for the Stones' Jan. 28 date at the brand new Ford Center, I'd played out this fantasy in my head, never believing there was even a glimmer (twin) of hope of it happening.

Knowing that my seat was on the floor somewhere between the main stage and the small stage on which the Stones play a set near the end of the show, I envisioned myself being within an arm's length of the skeletal Keith as he made his way down the ramp connecting the two.

(In '99, the Stones used a similar setup for their "No Security" tour, and I'd seen Keith sign an autograph en route to the small stage, so there was a precedent for my preoccupation.)

So, with my favorite Keith photo and a silver Sharpie in pocket, and Beast of Bird and part-way passenger Judy Tuesday in tow, I optimistically headed south.

As it turned out, my seat was adjacent to the small stage, four chairs into the row, within easy access of the rim of the stage. Logistics, at least, were in my favor.

But, in a pre-show chat with a security guard, Beast of Bird was told no one would be allowed in the aisle, let alone next to the stage.

Never before having been this close to a stage big or small during a major concert, and not wanting to get my head cracked, I took his word for it.

Having seen the Stones' live on HBO 10 days earlier, I knew when the time had arrived for the move to the small stage.

"Here they come," I said to Beast of Bird. But, instead of stepping into the aisle and jockeying for position next to the stage, I stayed put.

As the Stones, led by Mick, made their way down the ramp, there was a mad rush toward the stage, and any maneuverability I had was gone.

I shot the security guard a spiteful glance, but he looked off with faraway eyes.

Sure enough, Keith leaned down and signed someone's tour program.
I was sad, sad, sad.

Beast of Bird made an effort to console me: "Dude, I could have gotten you and Keith Richards in the same picture without using Photoshop."

Alas, but for another rule: no cameras.

Despite this disappointment, I got what I needed from the Stones.

Not only was I within spitting distance of my all-time living idol, Keith, and close enough to count the stubble under Mick's barely doubled chin, see the sparkle in Ronnie's playful smile and feel the pulse of Charlie's heartbeat drums, I had a ringside seat to music history.

Joining Keith in backup vocals — "How does it feel ... to be on your own ... with no direction home ... a complete unknown ... like a rolling stone" — I soon ditched my doldrums and finished on a high note.

After all, they ARE the Rolling Stones.

And if they can't rock me, nobody will.

This week's youtubes are of course all on The Stones---"Jumping Jack Flash" for make-up clip" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAqtsNWkpUk "Angie" with guitarist Mick Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMkFjYRWM4M "Play With Fire" from 1965 Shindig-- a powerful presense even back then http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMkFjYRWM4M "She's So Cold" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhfEEPlt3NQ "I Got The Blues" live at the Marquee Club 1971 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43zALQhwdQU and "Little Red Rooster" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsg4RNCrzmc&feat...ure=related

Big thanks to Allen Twitchell for his GREAT Story this week and hope you enjoyed it.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.