I met Mick and the Rolling Stones in 1972 or 1973. My husband managed Professor Longhair, who had recently been dubbed the "Father of Rock 'n Roll" by Rolling Stone Magazine. The band made a pilgrimage to New Orleans to meet Fess. Cosimo Matassa organized the meeting at his studio (also famous in rock 'n roll and R&B history). Mick arrived with an entourage that included Bianca in a fabulous vintage outfit complete with veiled hat and gloves, Truman Capote with an arm in a cast, and the whole band. They were regular guys, respectful and attentive to Fess, who listened to him play piano with expressions of wonder on their faces. It was a peak experience from my life in the fast lane.
Love the sentiment and the path you followed to arrive there Greg. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers!
Some great memories in this piece, (Mr. Jimmy) was certainly a local fixture in Excelsior Mn., usually chewing on a cigar, hanging around near my youthful digs, where the Stones in fact did play. It was a great gig in my opinion, although some people didn’t see it that way.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed/hearing/ meeting/covering the Stones over the years. Bands that played the Marquee Club are many of my favorites!
Jimmy was taken by Limo courtesy of the band, to another venue years later by the by. Jimmy was always a great conversation, as are the Stones memories you’ve stirred, thanks Greg!
Thanks for this, Greg! "Gimme Shelter" is, in my humble opinion, the very best Rolling Stones song. I believe Merry Clayton was quite pregnant when she recorded that phenomenal track. If you haven't heard Terry Gross's interview with her on Fresh Air, you might enjoy that. Should be in the archives. And she plays Clayton's vocal track without the music. Amazing. I get chills every time I hear her sing in that song. And it's the one song I ALWAYS play VERY loud. Sorry I went on. Bye--gotta go listen now.
I can't imagine going to the record store in 1969, coming home with Let It Bleed, putting it on, and hearing THAT. The intro is just so distinct, so weird, so cool. And it just gets better from there. How amazing that must have been, what a mind blow!
I've listened to it about 20 times this week, loud loud loud.
ps--a bit of trivia about Let It Bleed--If you notice, on the song Country Honk, Jackson is referenced instead of the original Memphis on Honkytonk Women. That is my hometown--Jackson, MS. And there is an error on the credits that lists Nanette Newman as one of the vocalists. It was actually Nanette Workman, who attended my high school and was in my brother's class. I never tire of pointing that out. As close as I will ever get to the Rolling Stones!
Excellent writing Greg. I had a miscarriage in the early 70’s. I was extremely upset and needed to grieve the loss of my much wanted child. But instead of helping me work through my grief, or even acknowledging it, the doctor loaded me up with Valium. It felt like “shut the hysterical woman up” and that my feelings weren’t valid. It certainly didn’t help this mother at all. I didn’t really process the grief until years later in counseling. I eventually did become a mother though and have a wonderful daughter.
I'm so sorry you had that experience with that doctor. My initial reaction to the song (I was a junior/senior in high school in 1966) was that Mother's Little Helper was about what you experienced - the pigeon holing and dismissal of women as whole people put in restrictive roles and how they dealt with it. I agree with Greg in that the song did address the difficulties of motherhood, but I think it also dealt with dynamics (hatred/disrespect towards women) of women who were mothers.
I agree, Kathleen. The pills are the thruline of the song, but there's a lot more going on. And in hindsight, it's amazing that a 23-year-old man born in 1943 was able to do that, to emphasize like that.
I'm sorry that happened to you, Karen. The 70s were also the phase where medical doctors steered everyone to C-sections and discouraged breast feeding. Not a high point for the medical profession. It's good to hear that you were able to process the grief later, and that you do have a wonderful daughter. Happy Mother's Day!
Interesting dichotomy, needs and wants. In becoming trained consumers instead of freethinking democratic citizens, we've been taught to mistake the desires manufactured in us by marketing gurus as impulses toward need when what we need is freedom from the controls of our minds and our actions from, how did you put it to me recently -- "Fuck sticks"...? Yes, that works -- from the fuck sticks who want us to do as we're told.
Not wrong...my cohost would definitely agree the moon tells us our "reigning need". I look at it as the person's "rate of flow" and the sun as their plot line.
Beautiful as always Greg. I started out at 6 years old as a Beatles fan, then teenager was a Stones fan, now back to Beatles but I did see the Stones when I was 18 on their "last tour" which was almost 40 years ago. They are a bit like Elton John. Wonder who really will quit touring first.
A very Happy Mother's Day to your Mom and wife. Certain they both deserve a wonderful day.
In every song, there's usually at least one gem of a lyric. "He can't be a man cuz he doesn't smoke / the same cigarettes as me." "I watched with glee as your kings and queens / Fought for ten decades for the gods they made." And of course: "She blew my nose and then she blew my mind."
Thank you once again, sir, for a brilliant column, working the Stones into it too! The Five-8 was some good stuff this past Friday too -- Denver Riggleman. What a guest! Happy Mother's Day to Stephanie (both of them), and your mom. "Hallmark Day" or not, it is always a good day to acknowledge mothers all over the world, for THEY are actually doing the hard work.
I’m sure my mother loved me unconditionally—that’s what moms are wired to do—but it always felt conditional because of all the Bible-based preaching about my not being on the right (her) path. I was born in February of the year in which, In December, Pearl Harbor got us into WW2. So I’m old enough to be amused by people who are younger than my son complaining about getting old! And old enough to have a different perspective on Mick Jagger. I love the Stones’ music now, but Kris Kristofferson—who is older than I am; Mick isn’t—has been a favorite lyricist for decades. Fortunately I’m married to a wonderful woman who has taught me more about unconditional love than my mother did, and more about what good motherhood looks like than any other woman in my life. Happy Mothers Day!
Thanks for sharing that, Earl. Your wife sounds fantastic; happy Mother's Day to her!
Kristofferson wrote one of the all-time lyrics that really transcends the form: "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." It never doesn't give me chills.
What a beautiful journey this took me on. Growing up in Southern California...I was 8 or 9 when Aftermath came out. My babysitters had the beautiful Chrissy Shrimpton - Marianne Faithful hairdos... Incense and Peppermints were in the air.....Your piece evoked these memories from that time. Nostalgia can be a beautiful drug .. With a sense of dread about the coming days.....It is artistic short masterpieces like this "Sunday Pages"installment,that help me garner a little more love of life and to not fall into the paralysis of fear. Thank you so much.Love always, StacyO 💕
Thanks so much, StacyO! I love love love Marianne Faithful. In my twenties, I got a double CD greatest hits of hers, as a kind of lark, and it's just awesome, every track. That voice!
(And now I will be humming "Incense and Peppermints" the rest of the day...)
Plus, Marianne Faithful and Mick Jagger had a fling for a short time. I honestly was so into the Beatles that I sort of didn’t really appreciate the Stones until college years in the late 60’s and early 70’s. My husband and I went to the Oakland Coliseum many years ago to see The Stones. It was, by far, one of the best concerts we have ever ever seen!
I might have been there Marlene. I saw the Stones at the Oakland Coliseum too. I think 1969. BB King played also. What is really crazy is that was the second time I saw them in concert. They played at the San Jose Civic Auditorium in 1965. I was 13 and went with my sister to see them. Those were the days living in the SF Bay Area
I wasn’t there in the 60’s but I wish I was. Didn’t move to CA until 1974. I honestly am guessing at the year, but it was maybe in late 80’s, early 90’s. Guess I will have to ask my husband.
Greg, did you see the documentary ‘Twenty Feet From Stardom’? You should. It includes Merry Clayton, Lisa Fisher and several other back up singers. It’s amazing. Won the Oscar for best documentary feature in 2014.
Brilliant-- again!
Thank you!
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes.
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes.
I have cherished that line for what seems like my whole life. Best ever.
It really is the best. So so so good.
I met Mick and the Rolling Stones in 1972 or 1973. My husband managed Professor Longhair, who had recently been dubbed the "Father of Rock 'n Roll" by Rolling Stone Magazine. The band made a pilgrimage to New Orleans to meet Fess. Cosimo Matassa organized the meeting at his studio (also famous in rock 'n roll and R&B history). Mick arrived with an entourage that included Bianca in a fabulous vintage outfit complete with veiled hat and gloves, Truman Capote with an arm in a cast, and the whole band. They were regular guys, respectful and attentive to Fess, who listened to him play piano with expressions of wonder on their faces. It was a peak experience from my life in the fast lane.
[mind blown emoji]
Merry Clayton is from NOLA as well.
I was born in 1946.
I spent my early, formative years
Eavesdropping on adults
Traumatized by
The Great Depression
And World War II.
Today, in America,
It feels like I'm four-years-old.
Love the sentiment and the path you followed to arrive there Greg. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers!
Some great memories in this piece, (Mr. Jimmy) was certainly a local fixture in Excelsior Mn., usually chewing on a cigar, hanging around near my youthful digs, where the Stones in fact did play. It was a great gig in my opinion, although some people didn’t see it that way.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed/hearing/ meeting/covering the Stones over the years. Bands that played the Marquee Club are many of my favorites!
Jimmy was taken by Limo courtesy of the band, to another venue years later by the by. Jimmy was always a great conversation, as are the Stones memories you’ve stirred, thanks Greg!
I love all of this color! The best part about writing about classic rock bands is the comments.
Thanks for this, Greg! "Gimme Shelter" is, in my humble opinion, the very best Rolling Stones song. I believe Merry Clayton was quite pregnant when she recorded that phenomenal track. If you haven't heard Terry Gross's interview with her on Fresh Air, you might enjoy that. Should be in the archives. And she plays Clayton's vocal track without the music. Amazing. I get chills every time I hear her sing in that song. And it's the one song I ALWAYS play VERY loud. Sorry I went on. Bye--gotta go listen now.
I can't imagine going to the record store in 1969, coming home with Let It Bleed, putting it on, and hearing THAT. The intro is just so distinct, so weird, so cool. And it just gets better from there. How amazing that must have been, what a mind blow!
I've listened to it about 20 times this week, loud loud loud.
Yes. I was 18 in 1969. I still have the original album.
Ditto.
ps--a bit of trivia about Let It Bleed--If you notice, on the song Country Honk, Jackson is referenced instead of the original Memphis on Honkytonk Women. That is my hometown--Jackson, MS. And there is an error on the credits that lists Nanette Newman as one of the vocalists. It was actually Nanette Workman, who attended my high school and was in my brother's class. I never tire of pointing that out. As close as I will ever get to the Rolling Stones!
Thanks for mentioning this.
https://www.npr.org/2021/04/08/985363178/prolific-background-singer-merry-clayton
Excellent writing Greg. I had a miscarriage in the early 70’s. I was extremely upset and needed to grieve the loss of my much wanted child. But instead of helping me work through my grief, or even acknowledging it, the doctor loaded me up with Valium. It felt like “shut the hysterical woman up” and that my feelings weren’t valid. It certainly didn’t help this mother at all. I didn’t really process the grief until years later in counseling. I eventually did become a mother though and have a wonderful daughter.
I'm so sorry you had that experience with that doctor. My initial reaction to the song (I was a junior/senior in high school in 1966) was that Mother's Little Helper was about what you experienced - the pigeon holing and dismissal of women as whole people put in restrictive roles and how they dealt with it. I agree with Greg in that the song did address the difficulties of motherhood, but I think it also dealt with dynamics (hatred/disrespect towards women) of women who were mothers.
I agree, Kathleen. The pills are the thruline of the song, but there's a lot more going on. And in hindsight, it's amazing that a 23-year-old man born in 1943 was able to do that, to emphasize like that.
It really is. I also marvel at "Well Respected Man" by the Kinks for the same reaso.
I'm sorry that happened to you, Karen. The 70s were also the phase where medical doctors steered everyone to C-sections and discouraged breast feeding. Not a high point for the medical profession. It's good to hear that you were able to process the grief later, and that you do have a wonderful daughter. Happy Mother's Day!
Thank you Greg. And a Happy Mother’s Day to the mothers in your life!💖
Interesting dichotomy, needs and wants. In becoming trained consumers instead of freethinking democratic citizens, we've been taught to mistake the desires manufactured in us by marketing gurus as impulses toward need when what we need is freedom from the controls of our minds and our actions from, how did you put it to me recently -- "Fuck sticks"...? Yes, that works -- from the fuck sticks who want us to do as we're told.
Happy Forced Baby Making Day!!!
Well said
Excellent point as usual.
The Sun and the Moon in the chart correspond to the want and the need, is what I learned, perhaps wrongly.
"She was practiced at the art of deception
Well, I could tell by her blood-stained hands."
Not wrong...my cohost would definitely agree the moon tells us our "reigning need". I look at it as the person's "rate of flow" and the sun as their plot line.
Beautiful as always Greg. I started out at 6 years old as a Beatles fan, then teenager was a Stones fan, now back to Beatles but I did see the Stones when I was 18 on their "last tour" which was almost 40 years ago. They are a bit like Elton John. Wonder who really will quit touring first.
A very Happy Mother's Day to your Mom and wife. Certain they both deserve a wonderful day.
Thanks, Anita!
They are also a very well-named band. They gather no moss. Not ever. They are always moving.
Great piece as always. Merry Clayton was also back up signer on Carole King's Tapestry and featured in Twenty Feet From Stardom.
https://www.npr.org/2021/04/09/985363956/no-longer-20-feet-from-stardom-singer-merry-clayton-steps-out-of-the-background
Thanks for another great piece of writing. Full disclosure: I am a huge Rolling Stones fan myself
Thanks.
In every song, there's usually at least one gem of a lyric. "He can't be a man cuz he doesn't smoke / the same cigarettes as me." "I watched with glee as your kings and queens / Fought for ten decades for the gods they made." And of course: "She blew my nose and then she blew my mind."
So long as they kept true to their roots in Blues, the Stones ruled
Thank you once again, sir, for a brilliant column, working the Stones into it too! The Five-8 was some good stuff this past Friday too -- Denver Riggleman. What a guest! Happy Mother's Day to Stephanie (both of them), and your mom. "Hallmark Day" or not, it is always a good day to acknowledge mothers all over the world, for THEY are actually doing the hard work.
Thanks, Steve. I knew Denver would be good, but he exceeded my already lofty expectations. He's so candid. It's refreshing. And LB was on fire.
Yes to the moms!
I’m sure my mother loved me unconditionally—that’s what moms are wired to do—but it always felt conditional because of all the Bible-based preaching about my not being on the right (her) path. I was born in February of the year in which, In December, Pearl Harbor got us into WW2. So I’m old enough to be amused by people who are younger than my son complaining about getting old! And old enough to have a different perspective on Mick Jagger. I love the Stones’ music now, but Kris Kristofferson—who is older than I am; Mick isn’t—has been a favorite lyricist for decades. Fortunately I’m married to a wonderful woman who has taught me more about unconditional love than my mother did, and more about what good motherhood looks like than any other woman in my life. Happy Mothers Day!
Thanks for sharing that, Earl. Your wife sounds fantastic; happy Mother's Day to her!
Kristofferson wrote one of the all-time lyrics that really transcends the form: "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." It never doesn't give me chills.
What a beautiful journey this took me on. Growing up in Southern California...I was 8 or 9 when Aftermath came out. My babysitters had the beautiful Chrissy Shrimpton - Marianne Faithful hairdos... Incense and Peppermints were in the air.....Your piece evoked these memories from that time. Nostalgia can be a beautiful drug .. With a sense of dread about the coming days.....It is artistic short masterpieces like this "Sunday Pages"installment,that help me garner a little more love of life and to not fall into the paralysis of fear. Thank you so much.Love always, StacyO 💕
Thanks so much, StacyO! I love love love Marianne Faithful. In my twenties, I got a double CD greatest hits of hers, as a kind of lark, and it's just awesome, every track. That voice!
(And now I will be humming "Incense and Peppermints" the rest of the day...)
Plus, Marianne Faithful and Mick Jagger had a fling for a short time. I honestly was so into the Beatles that I sort of didn’t really appreciate the Stones until college years in the late 60’s and early 70’s. My husband and I went to the Oakland Coliseum many years ago to see The Stones. It was, by far, one of the best concerts we have ever ever seen!
I might have been there Marlene. I saw the Stones at the Oakland Coliseum too. I think 1969. BB King played also. What is really crazy is that was the second time I saw them in concert. They played at the San Jose Civic Auditorium in 1965. I was 13 and went with my sister to see them. Those were the days living in the SF Bay Area
I wasn’t there in the 60’s but I wish I was. Didn’t move to CA until 1974. I honestly am guessing at the year, but it was maybe in late 80’s, early 90’s. Guess I will have to ask my husband.
Here's to Louise Hermance Monette.
I went down the rabbithole, and now I know why he's called Jelly Roll.
HA!
Greg, did you see the documentary ‘Twenty Feet From Stardom’? You should. It includes Merry Clayton, Lisa Fisher and several other back up singers. It’s amazing. Won the Oscar for best documentary feature in 2014.
No, but it's on my list. Thanks for reminding me.