July 5, 1978 review: Roiling Stones in Rich Stadium

 

Harvey and Corky make their first foray into Rich Stadium.

July 5, 1978 review

Rolling Stones’ Flair Bright as Ever

        The Rolling Stones begin their Independence Day show in Rich Stadium Tuesday by invoking their forefathers. Chuck Berry’s “Let It Rock” is a harbinger of what the rest of the set will be like – old-fashioned, high-energy rock ‘n roll.

        It’s more evidence that the Stones are determined to prove they can do it the way they used to. Everything’s in place. The beat is solid. The guitars are raunchy and yowling. And singer Mick Jagger must be at the top of his biorhythms.

        Reports of Jagger’s intensity this tour have not been exaggerated. Dressed in red, he leaps about the red tongue-and-lips stage like a man possessed. Dancing, gesturing, provoking the musicians behind him, he’s never still. It’s like he’s trying to jump out of his skin.

        As for the rest of the band, guitarist Keith Richards lurches in the same bright green sneakers Jagger wears. Second guitarist Ron Wood, in red, is bedeviled repeatedly by Jagger’s heavy horseplay. Bassist Bill Wyman seems detached. Charlie Watts, as usual, snaps it all together with his drums.

        Keyboard man Ian McLagen, added for this tour, is almost an invisible presence until his piano rises in the sound mix. Audio is equivalent to one of those bootleg concert recordings – muddy but adequate.

        The 100-minute set breaks down into three sections. It’s oldies to open – “Let It Rock,” “All Down the Line,” “Honky Tonk Women” and “Star Star.”

        Next, Jagger straps on a guitar for material from the new “Some Girls” album – “When the Whip Comes Down,” “Lies,” “Miss You,” “Beast of Burden,” “Shattered,” “Just My Imagination,” “Respectable” and “Faraway Eyes,” Jagger moving back to play piano.

        Then it’s back to the past – “Love in Vain,” “Tumbling Dice,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “Brown Sugar” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” No encore.

        When the end comes, it’s only 7 p.m. The sellout crowd of roughly 72,000 is still relatively fresh and wants more. They cheer, boo and finally leave reluctantly, accompanied by the pop of contraband fireworks.

        Fireworks had been the biggest pre-concert concern, but warnings and the threat of heavy sanctions (ejection from the show) had the desired effect. There were fewer bombs bursting in air than there had been at last July’s Blue Oyster Cult concert in the stadium.

        Considering all the negative advance notices, the show was relatively free of serious incidents. “The kids are in better shape than we are,” said one first aid official, weary from a weekend of preparations,

        Too much booze was the most common medical problem, but overall this was probably the most sober crowd to witness an event in the stadium. Missing this time were the zonked-out legions that usually line the corridors and lawns for these affairs.

        What made the difference were the cloudy skies and the early start. The clouds eliminated the problem of heat exhaustion, and moving up the schedule meant that everyone could leave well before dark.

        The time change was ordered Monday, but was not announced. Anyone arriving for the designated 2 p.m. start missed nearly half the show. The music began around noon.

        The three opening acts were a weak warm-up for the Stones, however. Montreal quintet April Wine raised a lot of innocuous noise to find seats by. Journey drew cheers for Neal Schon’s flashy guitar and Aynsley Dunbar’s bombastic drum solo. Atlanta Rhythm Section lulled the crowd through a sunny interlude with its mellow hits, “Imaginary Lover” and “So Into You.”

        This was the first of two Rich Stadium rock shows this summer – the fate of Fleetwood Mac July 28 depended on the outcome of this one – and for Harvey and Corky Productions, it was a baptism in fire. After the controversy and turmoil of a Rolling Stones concert, everything else should be easy.

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IN THE PHOTO: Uncredited Buffalo News shot of Mick Jagger on stage.

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FOOTNOTE: It was back to the basics for the Rolling Stones on this tour and it's regarded as one of their best. It began June 10 with theater dates, then moved into arenas and stadiums, concluding July 26 in Oakland.

Opening acts varied. In Cleveland's vast Municipal Stadium July 1, they were Peter Tosh and Kansas. In Chicago's Soldier Field July 8, it was Journey, Peter Tosh and Southside Johnny. Crowd-wise, Buffalo was one of the biggest dates. Attendance was second only to 82,500 in Cleveland.

        Here’s what they played, according to setlist.fm.

Let It Rock (Chuck Berry cover)

All Down the Line

Honky Tonk Women

Star Star

When the Whip Comes Down

Miss You

Lies

Beast of Burden

Shattered

Just My Imagination (Temptations cover)

Respectable

Faraway Eyes

Love in Vain (Robert Johnson cover)

Tumbling Dice

Happy

Sweet Little Sixteen (Chuck Berry cover)

Brown Sugar

Jumpin’ Jack Flash