The Evolution of The Stones' Live Sound | Part 1 | 1962 - 2012

Join me and the great Scott Galupo for a cool chat as we delve into how the Stones' changed as a band on stage throughout the years. So much to cover, but we try to get all the big points of all the eras. Great stuff!
Scott Galupo's Riff Cousin Channel: / @scottgalupo
Follow Hang Fire: A Rolling Stones Podcast
KZbin Channel: / @hangfirestonespodcast
IG: / rollingstonespodcast
FB: / stonespodcast
Donations and Gifts Always Welcome
buymeacoffee.com/hangfirepodcast
[e-mail]

[@scottgalupo]

Thanks, as always, for having me on, Justin! I could talk about this topic for, well, hours 😂

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

We've got to save something for the "Keys To Your Love" deep dive convo! 😎

[@scottgalupo]

@@HangFireStonesPodcast Don’t go there! 😂😂😂

[@davidwright6137]

Love your honest takes - one of my favorite episodes!

[@scottgalupo]

@@davidwright6137 Thank you, David!

[@Mcfly85A]

I would happily listen to you guys talk about The Stones for hours. Also,a deep dive into Keys To Your Love would be hilarious I'm sure. I actually like that song lol.

[@davidwright6137]

I absolutely love this podcast! Love your takes, your guest’s takes - it’s for Stones fans made by Stones fans - thank you!

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

That means a lot! That's what we're here for 🤘 appreciate the support 🙂

[@deand7348]

YES - Ronnie re-energized the band in 75 and still does! - and people definitely underestimate his playing!

[@ArmandoMPR]

Ronnie has really added another layer ever since the 2012-13 tour. I feel like he has stepped up to play more of a classic lead guitar role at certain points of the show. Midnight Rambler, in particular, got a new lease on life, for me.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

yes!

[@steveconn]

Keith and Ronnie both focusing and playing like their lives depend on it, Mick in furious harp-playing mode, Chanel and Steve Jordan in strong back-up...they know they're eighty and can't falter onstage. or be written off as has-beens, so they don't. The Beatles are perpetual rehashed clips from fifty plus years ago, the Stones are real, in real-time, musical heroes ❤🎉

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

still rolling 🤘

[@AlejandroRodriguez-hg2us]

I had a long gone friend to Talk about little exciting details from the Stones. Thank you guys for letting me revieve those beautiful conversations. Hope the band is coming to Spain soon!!!

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Honored! Thanks for watching and hoping you guys get them soon! 🎸

[@obbor4]

Of the seventeen times that I've seen the Stones live, five of them (for the incredibly, now, seemingly low price of $34!) five of them came on 1989's 'Steel Wheels Tour.' Agreeably, Mick did bring the "schmaltzy" element into things, but the setlist, and the inclusion of songs like '2000 Light Years From Home' made the welcome back of The Stones the highlight of a huge year for concerts. Along with The Stones, we saw the return of the Jefferson Airplane (I saw three of those shows), The Who, Pink Floyd, The Allman Brothers Band, a still viable Jethro Tull, The Grateful Dead, and many others. For me, seeing all of these great bands playing as they once did was pure magic. The Stones, of course, still have the ability to rock the house, but the addition of so many sidemen has drained a bit of their spark over the years. God love 'em though, they are still the best place to be on any night on this planet!

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

💯💯

[@davidhutton3087]

That was very interesting,Love the Stones live in all era's no one else can touch them.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Hey thanks so much for watching!

[@studiotwo]

The 1969 tour has a sound all of its own. You could include the short 1970 European tour in that too.

[@janiceellery1653]

Mick is wise to adapt as he gets older. In interviews other artists like Rod Stewart and Tom Jones have spoken about how they have changed their song choices and adapted their vocals. I agree that Ronnie has been under appreciated. Ronnie reminds me of the class clown that wants everyone to like them. The classic example of Ronnie's personality is when he was playing with Keith and Bob Dylan. Dylan broke a string and Ronnie gave Dylan his guitar. You can then see Ronnie behind the stage curtain trying to straighten everything out 😂😂

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

love that Dylan moment haha!

[@shawnpatrick3251]

Love this show!! 2 quick points on this show - 1. I agree with you guys that Ronnie is the glue to keep this band together. When I met him Cambridge, Ma in 1987 I believe he was touring with Bo Diddley and I asked him about the stones getting back together. He told me that he was trying but it was very difficult getting them in the same room. 2. I believe the main difference between tours up through 81 and after is the grungy sound they had prior to 89. I realize they had light and props which they to stay in step with. But they really refined their sound. I like them no matter what but the grunge will always be my favorite

[@peterchecksfield9958]

Mick had his hair cut short for the R&RHoF in January 1989. During 1986-1988, he had very long hair.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

thank you for watching!

[@peterchecksfield9958]

Great conversation as always, Justin and Scott! A couple of very quick observations: From around 1975 onwards, Keith could no longer do those soaring harmonies, and by 1981/1982 Mick was sometimes pretty much on his own out there. So, once he'd (probably wisely) got in backing vocalists for his 1988 solo tours, there was no way he was going back to the old days again. As for Ronnie and his easy-going and fun personality, I genuinely think he's the reason Bill Wyman stuck around for as long as he did. Regardless of playing ability (and I do think he's highly underrated), Bill himself said that Ronnie made the band fun again. Looking forward to part 2!

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Thanks Peter! Great point about the vocals. Also, the addition of in-ear monitors really changed Mick's entire method. Instead of singing over the band he really could tone it down and get a perfect monitor directly in his ear. Saved his throat from any more damage!

[@toms4442]

When Scott mentioned his favorite Bill Wyman moment in the Movie " let's spend the night together" I knew exactly what he was going to say lol I saw that in the movie theater when I was 15 and I just thought that is so cool, just so Rock and Roll! Lol

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

we all pictured it immediately!

[@timolexmusic]

thanks guys for letting me throw in my $0.02 😁✌ Glad you mentioned the big sonic difference between Bill Wyman and Darryl Jones, Scott! One other extreme example is the rhythm section intro to Mess It Up on the ongoing tour, I've never been a fan of that type of harsh bass sound in this setting either..

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

thanks Timo! And yes good call about Mess It Up--it sounds on great on paper--but actually hearing it makes you wish for something different...

[@captainkirk70]

Bill is still the best bass player for the Stones. Followed by Keith.

[@AnthonyBattista_]

Thank you both so much for this great video, so many insightful points were made! I really appreciate how almost every tour has a different vibe and sound. I can almost always tell what tour a recorded live track is from if I blindly listen to it. I’m shocked at the negative comments made in this comment section involving the ‘89 tour. I wasn’t born for a few more years, but after watching so much material of it (along with all of the other tours) there’s so much to appreciate about it. Such a varied set list incorporating material from across every decade and the professionalism was a breath of fresh air after the sloppy and sometimes fast/rushed ‘81-‘82 tour. One of the main criticisms I have across all tours is the near takeover of Billy Preston in the ‘75/‘76 tours. His presence was pretty quiet in 1973, but by 75 he had two or three solo songs performed in the middle of the set and his backing vocals were on so many songs. It seems like he tried to outshine Mick a lot of the time. Getting rid of him and going back to basics in ‘78 was such a good move. Other than that, and micks occasional coke voice, I love the ‘75/‘76 tour Overall, I have enjoyed just about every tour the stones have ever embarked on and I’m so happy there is so much recorded material from each.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Great stuff as usual Anthony! Love that you're able to see the good in every tour. There's something special in each of them. Hold on to that guess the song by tour idea... you'll see soon enough!! 😀

[@reluctantblumpkin]

To me, Chuck leavell's increased involvement in making the songs "a formatted presentation" complete with piano often substituting what used to be guitar licks represents the primary decline in the core band that i've always loved. The use of Chuck as a crutch coincides with lazier or absent guitar parts, and overall the songs feeling like someone has hit "play" when they kick off, rather than having an organic guitar band feel that made them edgier and fun in the first place.

[@BF2021-kf8xz]

You could argue though that with their age and decline in ability they needed Chuck to take control.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Chuck's influence has been immense. I'm sure they enjoy having an accomplished musician in the band who can play it all. I wonder how much of our issue lies with the mixers?

[@reluctantblumpkin]

@@HangFireStonesPodcast Rick Beato just interviewed Dave Natale recently, a front of house mixer for the Stones & many others. Check it out & see what you think if interested. I think it's a "mix" (pun intended) of all the above. The mix changed somewhat, Chuck was relied on for more fills and to tighten song structure. Also the late 80's weren't really a time of rough bar band style like they may have sounded like earlier. And i'm sure Mick wanted a "contemporary" sound in his mind.

[@captainkirk70]

Totally agreed. And anytime he uses a current instrument he should have his fingers broken lol. I have a friend whose only job is to transport the Stones pool table. Has to be set up and leveled. Apparently they've only used it 2 or 3 times. If they can do that then Chuck can have all the original instruments. Seems like he's using more lately but on the '89 tour he used a totally new keyboard with fake samples of the original instruments. Just terrible. And you can certainly notice the sounds being there without Keith or Ronnie playing them.

[@_andreleo_]

Oh man, what a joy to listen to this conversation. Thank you. I thought Mick sounded his best ever on the VL/BTB tours. Seems like he still had some of that '89 'training' but is slightly looser. Lisa was such a wonderful component of the band. Such grace and such power. I thought Ronnie was amazing on the Licks tour. I'm still a bit baffled by some of the SMU solos over the years. I also liked his playing on CYHMK live more than when MT joined. . I do think '89 suffered from over-polished live mixes, digital pianos, and perhaps Mick's haircut. But, I agree, the band was on fire. I think VL tour had some of the best amp sounds the band ever had.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it! Gotta love the B2B tour!

[@RickM01]

Great discussion with a plethora of insights guys! It's been a pleasure listening to you both!!!

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Thanks much-glad you enjoyed!!

[@Bodinthi]

Great show Justin and Scott. Very acurate and well informed discussion. The Stones' show was great in Philly(2024). The more pop # that were amazing in 1989 don't sound that well in 2024.But the rockers and "warhorses" are really great in a stadium. I can see Mick's point now not only based on the audience 'expectation but also on the fact those songs are played better(rockers).

[@Jimmie_Rudolfsson]

I think Bill is probably the most underrated musician in the band. The stuff he played in the 70s and 80s is fantastic if you really listen to what he's playing.

[@peterchecksfield9958]

Absolutely! Even the band underrate him when discussing his abilities.

[@ucumari77]

Saw them in 72, 75, 78, 81, & 89. For me the early to mid 70's were their best. Started their shows when they damn well wanted and played seemingly as long as they wanted. It was a much looser "garage band" sound. Todays shows, post '89, seems too well rehearsed, almost over produced IMO. With only two original members left it's no wonder their shows are so different. Don't get me wrong, it's amazing they are still touring and sounding as good as they do but not nearly as good as when the sound was sexually raw and dangerous in the 70's.

[@SuperShawn2020]

Totally agree that Woody kept them together! No doubt!

[@peterchecksfield9958]

Yes, interesting to think that 1982 could've been the last tour and 'Dirty Work' the final album without Ron's easy-going personality. Even as late as January 1989, Bill dismissed the R&RHoF induction as "Too little, too late!" and refused to attend, ditto Charlie.

[@ohhyessiryep]

I Love the evolution of the Stones and have no complaints. I guess I just love the music so much and love that they just keep going, my whole life. I Love Mick Jagger. lol. x

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

100%! After 1989 The Stones absolutely went Vegas! That being said, circa 1995 they were very tight and put on some great great shows, especially with the help of Lisa Fischer. Another demarcation point was when Jagger became a caricature of himself, doing dance-steps he clearly learned in class, and addressing the audience with fill-in-the-blank chit-chat. Lastly, the schism with The Stones on-stage to me was when Mick & Keith stopped singing Happy into the same mic, and when Jagger began disappearing during Keith's set. Since then they have a working relationship and not much else...and you can feel it.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend also happy independence day to be honest also Canada day is Monday where I live in ❤😊

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

thanks much! enjoy Canada Day

[@jcanada9405]

Great discussion. Live by the sword is proof they should have Wyman lay down bass on all their upcoming tracks.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

dig that track

[@zilefn9212]

I love this long chat - thanks! Hey, would there maybe be any chance of arranging a channel Zoom or Teams chat so a bunch of us could sign up and join it at the same time? I have no idea how this is done (or any cost involved), but it would be fun and some of us could see if we are in the same country or area as other members of this community. Just a thought. PS: 1989 was the first tour where the band worked with Michael Cohl, wasn't it? He corporatised rock 'n roll tours and kicked off the whole ultra-discipline thing. Was it Bill German who said even the band had to get guest passes for shows from 1989 onwards? So it's no surprise that Ronnie got 32 bars or whatever for a solo in YCAGWYW. I miss his highly creative 1975-1976 meanderings, though!

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

glad you enjoyed it! I've thought about something like that before but have many logistics to consider. Will definitely be keeping it in mind! thanks for the tip!

[@myrskylintu1]

Charlie and Bill were always stabile and cool, with working man attitude. Kept the band together. Mick Taylor was like session musician in the Stones. Playing great, but not connecting much. In my opinion they were best live between 1967-1973. Raw and dangerous. Jagger's hair was way too short on that 1989 tour. For me MIck was kind of uptight on that tour. His looks, his body language, etc. I agree that Ronnie was on his peak on 1975 tour, playing his heart out. Later he became kinda cautious, just adding carefully lick here and there, until like 2015 when he has become more and more the guy that keeps it all together.

[@nvm9040]

The Stones are still going all these years The lineup has definitely changed over the decades which brings something different to the Stones

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

🤘🎸

[@user-tr4jj9pt7x]

The dividing line is ’89. That’s when Chuck Leavell started to become the musical director and Keith kinda allowed it to happen… or it was thrust upon him. Of course, losing Ian Stewart and Bill Wyman has had a HUGE impact, but the Stones are a performance band now, which is still magic (or was with Charlie). It just isn’t close to the Mount Everest-bar that THEY SET for live rock and roll. They don’t play with the edge or abandon that they did, which I understand, especially from Mick’s point of view. Today, they sound their best on the blues - including Mick. He really seems to relax and get into it. See GRRR Live! Sticky Fingers Live at The Fonda Theatre had its moments, especially CYHMK. I wish I could have witnessed the ’81 and prior tours. Or, the ’84 tour - the one that never happened. Thanks for the channel, Justin. These topics are great. A much-needed venue to discuss (and vent).

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Great points. Thanks for the kind words--glad you are enjoying the content! More to come!

[@captainkirk70]

I saw the '81 and it was epic. The only other time they touched it was the KC show I saw in 2015. I cried they were so good. Haven't seen them since because I want to remember them that way. But I'm sure if they came close to me again I'd have to go.

[@deand7348]

I think I knew the Ya Yas versions before the studio because that was one of my first albums - Stray Cat and Sympathy, Live w/ Me - even Love in Vain - then later I got the studio :)

[@captainkirk70]

Ya-Ya's is my number 2 favorite Stones record. It would be number 1 if they had the entire set on it seamlessly. They played Gimme Shelter at the end of the same movie and it sounded EPIC. Putting two Chuck Berry covers on the album instead of Stones songs that are better holds it back. A baffling decision.

[@jasonevans9360]

89 had it's issues with the slickly produced show, almost no room for improv, with Matt Clifford and a drum track for Sympathy, etc. However, This Cat is right, the actual members of the Stones' musicianship was unmatched on this tour. Also, I could be wrong, but I think this was the first tour with Fender Amps going through the PA. Gone were the gigantic amps turned to 11 so Keith and Ronnie's tone in 89 was unreal and set the blueprint for future tours. I remember hearing how loud, yet, clean the guitars were. Love that sound. The Music Man wasn't my favorite guitar (used heavily on this tour) but still, it was so clean you could distinguish all the little fills, hammers, triads, etc. Great convo.

[@omiewise77]

My good buddy has a theory that Ronnie’s playing suffered once he started wearing his guitar lower. Check it out! The video evidence supports this.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

ha interesting!

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I'm not sure Mick ever ordered Charlie to do anything after that hotel room incident, but yes, Chuck became The Rolling Stones' Paul Shaffer.

[@user-iv1ed9mj5i]

What people mean by vegas is that they stopped being a rock band and became cabaret performers

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

how much longer can a band stand on stage and tune their instruments between songs and get into awful train wrecks before it's time to clean it up?

[@captainkirk70]

@@HangFireStonesPodcast I'm still down with train wrecks instead of what we got in '89.

[@BF2021-kf8xz]

Cool thing I just noticed - that Steve J hits 2 cymbals at a time during Before They Make Me Run at Chicago 6/30 show. Check it out!

[@deeg8849]

The battle of the bookshelves

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

📚📚💿💿

[@Jimmie_Rudolfsson]

I think two of the best solos Ronnie ever did was Start Me Up and Miss You on Flashpoint.

[@seanlibbey4499]

Great vid,I agree which the slow decline.every tour I notice it’s a bit less .but then I listen to more of the new tour (when ever it was) and find that even though they may be playing With but less power they are still so locked in and playing with such determination that it downs matter. That era now becomes how the stones should sound live.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

they still play with a lot of heart 🧡

[@captainkirk70]

Stones were the first band that played real concerts with a real sound system in '69. So nobody realized how long a set should be compared to the 30 min disasters. Same with '72. Their sets expanded as they went along. The last fun tour was '81. But with age they probably needed help.

[@Bez1-eb3du]

Fascinating analysis as always. Their live peak has to be 1969 - 73, the Steel Wheels/ Urban Jungle tour of 1989/90 was too corporate for me (I saw them in the UK in Manchester and they were frankly boring), but they were really good on the Bigger Bang tour of 2006 in Glasgow and have continued to improve massively since then. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts post-2012 because for me, this was the watershed. Ronnie came off the gear and the booze and concentrated on what he was doing and Mick Taylor's presence on the 50th anniversary tours across 2012 - 2014 undoubtedly kicked both Keith and Ronnie up the arse. As a result, the pair of them started playing with purpose and aggression again and reclaimed the musical driving seat from Chuck. The whole band were on fire at Edinburgh in 2018 (nearly as good as their early '70s peak - I'm not joking), they were fabulous at Liverpool in 2022 with Steve Jordan making his UK debut and they are sounding just superb on this current tour. I also think Steve Jordan has settled in really well and added some muscle to both their live and studio sound.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

like Keith says: "it took a while for this band to mature!"

[@Jimmie_Rudolfsson]

Mick Taylors ability was thrown away when he came back for the anniversary shows. Why not include him in more songs that he was actually a part originally? Wyman should have been playing on Miss You and Start Me Up.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

would've been great!

[@captainkirk70]

They should put Taylor on a treadmill and bring him back for the whole show. They need the extra help on guitars. He played on songs wasn't on before during his original stint. No reason he can't do it now. As long as he will play chords and not try to solo the whole time.

[@LaGroove82]

As a full-time musician guitar player singer songwriter FULLY employed for 25 years (even tho you've never heard of me 😂) I can say with 100% certainty that a fans desire to continually squeeze the proverbial artists creative lemon until it is a withered rotting husk is an OUTDATED unfair and rude mindset. Post 1989 was Rock and Roll retirement to some degree. They don't owe us anything and haven't since the late seventies. That's why they are awesome... even though they don't owe us anything, they have continued to rock record and tour. One could write a historical record of the human race from 1962 to 2024 and use the Stones as markers for each decade and era in which our lives have changed and theirs and how they correlate. Songs that we create when we are younger as musicians and the riffs personas and reputations we create are what help us subsist in the latter years of our performing. I'm 42 now, and I've been gigging with my bands since I was 12. I'm not famous and I'm not claiming to be, nor do i need to be, nor do I want to be, but this is the only thing I've ever had to do to make money and ive never had an agent or manager so I am a 30-year veteran of the road and the industry and ive never begged for gigs and always played what I want. The Stones sound has aged much like their own personal personas riffs and reputations. Irs great that they are still around to keep rocking. It seems to me that they do it their way and do not conform to others' ideas of what they should do or how they should perform or allow themselves to be perceived. The split in the 80s was super necessary and helped them see eachothers value. The Stones are an integral part of my previous show rituals 🎉 Thx for the great content @Justin. Thanks for having Scott on to talk. Great topic.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

great post! That's why we still follow--we all age with them and the music. Thanks for watching!

[@cmgosh37]

I thought Keith lost a step too after his head injury During Bigger Bang Tour. Your thoughts??

[@rudolfvanooijen]

Thanks for your insights! A question that pops up, while watchting this, is what should or could the Stones do on live performances after this Amercian Tour. An idea that comes to mind, is like their blues hero's , play smaller shows, like the wiltern, paradiso and brixton. Half arcoustic perhaps? What would the Stones look like in a year or two?

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

It's a fun idea 😎 I don't see anything like that happening. It's all or nothing with the Stones. Go hard or go home. They can't justify 4 weeks of intense rehearsals to only play for a total of 20K-30K (or less) playing a club/theater tour compared to the nearly half a million people they can get on a regular stadium tour. When you think of it like that--it makes it hard to justify playing tiny theater shows as much as would be pretty darn cool :)

[@captainkirk70]

Totally agree on his solo tour. Way more Mick. Less Vegas.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

🤘😎

[@rayerscarpensael2300]

1973 -1978

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

🤘

[@Ptm6569]

I mentioned before why do you think they don't play sympathy the whole song and when did they start doing this curious

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Mick has stopped singing the Kennedy verse since about 2002. No reason was given

[@grimmertwin2148]

Ronnie. Nuff said.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

hell yeah

[@keeponrollin7922]

Bob Dylan stated around '94 abt when wyman left,they became more of a pop band.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

i remember that quote. something to that!

[@keeponrollin7922]

Yea not sure if he said pop now that I think of it maybe it was funk but their sound changed tremendously too me,and mick was asked during kurt loder interview mtv '94 abt replacing wyman and mick said anyone can play bass for the rolling stones.

[@grimmertwin2148]

Should be a trigger warning if you're gonna mention Charlie. Wait! Wtf? Gets me every time

[@Mcfly85A]

Excellent video. Insightful comments all around. I would find it hard to pick a favorite live Stones era myself. And the whole Mick Taylor vs. Ronnie Wood thing, I find it so tiresome and frankly boring. Not talking about yourself and Scott. What I mean is almost every Stones forum I've ever been on it seems like the people love to praise Taylor and just talk shit about Ronnie's playing. How they think when he joined The Stones had a massive creative decline. Obviously with Undercover being my favorite Stones album,I don't agree with that. I do like Taylor and think he's a great player but I do prefer Ronnie Wood. I like his playing and I really like Ronnie as a person. Sure he's made his mistakes, haven't we all,but he generally seems like a good dude. Also I've never had a problem with the back up singers. Doesn't hurt that Lisa is very beautiful. When I saw them live in 1998, I kinda developed an instant crush on her. You know, I could have made this comment a lot shorter by saying Ronnie Wood is great and each live era had it's own charms and qualities but I guess I'm feeling long winded today 😂.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Yup every era has its magic--thanks for watching!

[@Mcfly85A]

@@HangFireStonesPodcast I should be thanking you for making such excellent content. Watching your videos really is a pleasure. Keep up the great work.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

"Did he bring any Bill Wyman energy?" 😂😂😂 Bill sang on his own albums and live (did he sing "In another land" too? 🤔), and he sang back up in rhe early days; so what happened? Why did he go into a coma? Writing credits I suspect.

[@SuperShawn2020]

Going to have to disagree with the Mick Taylor comment. He brought a lot to the show I saw in 2013. They could still use Taylor - love Ronnie, but Taylor was a vital part of their finest era!

[@Jimmie_Rudolfsson]

Something happened, I think with the band around 2011/2012. And unfortunately, some of it depended on Charlie.. I don't think he was in as good form in the last 10 years of his life as he was pre 2011.

[@timolexmusic]

On the topic of live renditions: Does anybody here in the bubble know whether they played Satisfaction the same way they did it at the Marquee in 1971 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIDTpKihZZ1-gbM)? I always thought of that version to be such a gem.. Isn't it like Stones covering Redding covering the Stones?! 🙌🙌🙌

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

a one-off i think!

[@1rwjwith]

To me the live peak of the Stones was 1969-1973, Taylor era obviously. The Richards- Taylor guitar duet was not only their best but maybe the best of any RnR live band! I like Ronnie and his style but it is not the height of Taylor era. To me Get You Ya Ya’s is my favorite live album from a Rock band. Why did you have to bring up HENLEY …😱 I can’t stand that Eagles crap! Sorry….

[@captainkirk70]

Ronnie spent a couple of years in a closet freebasing.

[@deeg8849]

35:41. I enjoy hearing from Scott and respect that we all have our own point of view, but I think he speaks somewhat smugly of past Stones (what did Wyman and Taylor bring or in recent videos what did Brian bring). I get it, survivors get the glory and the Stones of today are survivors who enable going concerns like his (some don’t knock it while it can be leveraged). No doubt mick and Keith are amazing, but the legacy of Brian, Taylor and Wyman is incredible and I don’t think should be measured by a prism of “they ain’t here now & they didn’t do much after” so there. Be bigger Scott

[@peterchecksfield9958]

Not sure he was putting them down. That said, Bill Wyman went on to have a very prolific career after leaving the band (he also had a bigger solo hit than any of them back in '81). Love Scott's reference to Bill lighting a fag (cigarette to Americans) on 'Shattered' in '81!

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

I didn't get that from Scott especially since he's a self-admitted Taylor-rite. There's enough praise for the *entire* Stones legacy--even forthe people that came after the "untouchable" Brian Jones, Mick Taylor and whomever else...

[@SuperShawn2020]

I saw two of the shows in 81 (Orlando and New Orleans). The 89 tour was just vastly superior! I will die on that limb. They still sell out stadiums because of their attention to detail. Some of my buddies insist the garage band aspect of the 81 tour is missed. I just have to disagree.

[@peterchecksfield9958]

I first saw them in London on the 'Urban Jungle' Tour (twice) in 1990, and loved every minute... but I also knew that I was seeing a far slicker and more polished band than on 1981's 'Let's Spend The Night Together' video. I can see both sides of the argument.

[@SuperShawn2020]

@@peterchecksfield9958 And for some reason I much preferred the 78 tour show I saw in New Orleans. The guitar sound in 81 sounded thin to my ears. I loved the shows - but I’m just being picky.

[@grimmertwin2148]

Don't forget on those 'short' shows they were sometimes playing a matinee concert. Get your facts right boys. Btw I never knew Clifford played the Miss You harp solo on a farkn keyboard. Is that true? Was Jagger miming? I don't believe it sorry

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

The harmonica effect was played during the intro on every performance of Miss You on that tour. It's even on Flashpoint. Check for yourself.

[@grimmertwin2148]

@@HangFireStonesPodcast that's completely different

[@TheAscunha]

They never sounded so good: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rourqKCwf8Zli68 (Miss you, live - 1978)

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

absolutely classic

[@sticky-fingers]

i hate Chuck Leavell'sound so badly. sounds like a popular ballroom keyboardist to me

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

🎹🎹

[@captainkirk70]

His tone on Out of Time recently was cringeworthy. I know it sounded like the record kinda but was too modern sounding. He should only be allowed to play the original instruments. No modern synths. They can easily move them around from city to city so there's no excuse.

[@sticky-fingers]

@@captainkirk70 i dont know if its the synth or his way to play. Whatever the song, imo, it sucks. And due to Keith's and Ronnie's holes, unfortunately, we have to listen him too too much...

[@captainkirk70]

@@sticky-fingers I liked it when they had Blondie playing acoustic guitar along with all their songs. Appropriate and filled some holes. But Chuck covering holes just sounds wrong. If they are going to keep going for awhile then they'll have to eventually bring on a 3rd guitarist over by Chuck. Probably Waddy but I'd prefer getting M. Taylor in shape. And quit drinking or whatever is making him so bloated. I've seen Taylor do a solo show in 2005. He was boring and I really had to force myself to finish watching. Stones are my favorite band and one of the most important members was so boring I almost left. So he needs some work and needs to learn to not solo the whole time. But an extra Stone added for the whole show is nothing but good. Just needs to be in shape and reigned in. He played songs live he wasn't on during his original tenure so no reason he can't now. But needs work and limits.

[@captainkirk70]

It would take Taylor maybe 2 months to get in proper shape and well rehearsed. A drop in the bucket of the Stones tour spacing. Dangling a Stones position in front of him would make him motivated. He's claimed being broke in many London papers. A $50K a night salary he would take in a heartbeat.

[@jedikiah1541]

Mick Taylor had lost some of the fluency of old, but he still put the Stones on a completely different level in 2012/13, than they'd been in decades, so i disagree with Scott, there. I was a little disappointed Taylor didn't simply concentrate on his guitar, like in the days of old, instead of moving about, because there were definitely moments of brilliance. Bill was hardly on stage long enough to form much opinion. It was the Stones raw energy that separated them from their contempories, like The Beatles, in the 60s. That is something they possessed up to the 1981/82 tour. Within that period, The Stones live performances were hardly consistent (75/76 were a bit sloppy), and Jagger's gruff voice on the 81/82 tour was especially a turn off. However, there were far more moments of magic than mediocrity. The Jones era did find them flying from the seat of their pants, although Jones also brought a little more musical texture and diverstity at times. The Taylor years were them at their peak - in part because the sound system and recordings of those concerts were better, but also because Mick Taylor's brilliant more technical and elegant playing was added into the mix. Ronnie was delivering Taylor's parts when he originally joined the band, but i never felt that style of playing was really his forte. The tour supporting Some Girls was where he really found his feet, and the last time the Stones truly lived up to their title - 'the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world'. Jagger's vocals were at their raw best. In later decades the Stones have lost their early raw energy, and a huge degree of their spontaneity is gone, so a lot of what made their reputation in the 60s and 70s is no longer there. One can claim it doesn't matter, but i'd claim it was fundamental back then. Jagger showed it in his Live Aid performance in 1985, but not really with The Stones from 1989 onwards. There is a professionalism that has replaced the old energy, and at times it works ok, but nowhere near the level of old. Jagger lost his growl at some point and his voice has gotten a lot thinner. This has been evident on the studio recordings as well, at least since Voodoo Lounge, where on some tracks it is noticeable. Jagger also has had this habit of overaccentuating, although that is not evident to the same degree on Hackney Diamonds. Someone (perhaps Andrew Watt) has been guiding him in the right direction. Yes, the decline since 1989 has been slower than one might have expected, especially now Mick and Keith have reached 80. Ronnie is playing pretty good, too - the best i've seen him for a while. Steve Jordan, to a degree, has revitalised the band, although with Jagger i often feel he allows the spectacle to take the place of the quality and commitment of his singing. Often it is Keith's spot that reveals something a little more sincere.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

quite amazing we're still here talking about them after all this time

[@deathofamailman]

Keith's sound during the 89 tour was awful. Even in 94 "You Got Me Rockin" sounds like an electric banjo.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Hahaha, I know what you mean about VL tour. Can't argue with that ha 🎸🎸

[@captainkirk70]

Ronnie needs to do more heavy lifting. At least he's playing LPs more.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

more? you'd be shocked how much he's contributing

[@captainkirk70]

@@HangFireStonesPodcast Oh I watch Justin. I changed my user name so you might not place me now. I'm the one who thinks the Stones ended in '83 and bitched about them afterwards. ESPECIALLY the '89 tour. And have said the Ronnie needs to step up and grind the raw Stones and let Keith play what he can and wants to. Keith doesn't carry the grind anymore. And think Keith's amp change to two clean Fenders sounds wimpy. Ronnie used to carry the Faces now he stops sometimes in the middle of a song and waves his hands around like the song is over. He should be grinding away with LPs etc instead of Strats which don't pull off "the Sound" but also said the 2015 KC show was so good it made me cry. But I will admit he's doing better because of Jagger pushing him forward but he will always defer to Keith. And that doesn't get what really needs to be getting done. I'm a guitar player and hopped on the train at 1980. Saw the real Stones in '81 and they are nothing like that anymore. They were sooo loud. And the crowd was like seeing the Beatles for 2 hrs. Know it's kinda like going to Disneyland. The change from '81 to the experience of the '89 tour was staggering. I sat 3rd row and didn't get the chills at the '89 tour which I saw 4 times. All Jagger's fault.

[@deeg8849]

Gimmie the designer sloppy years any day. To each their own enjoying listening to the same 15 songs done largely the same way from 89 to 24. 35 years of “professionalism” can’t come close to 16 years of elegant sloppy (65 to 81).

[@peterchecksfield9958]

Why does everyone forget 1982? 🙃

[@demonsbutterfly]

I love the Stones But for me the Stones became boring and predictable after 1978. I saw them in 1994 and 2003 which i enjoyed, but it was The Stones Corporation You cannot compare Woody with Mick Taylor

[@peterchecksfield9958]

They in many ways became LESS predictable after this, particularly from 1994 onwards. Even on the current tour, setlists usually vary from night to night. This rarely happened during tours in the '60s and '70s.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

Great point Peter--they're up to like 40+ different songs just on this tour alone!

[@demonsbutterfly]

@@peterchecksfield9958Set Lists since 1989 have hardly changed at all. 1-2 songs here and there is not a massive change. The stones catalogue is enormous, but it’s always the Same “hits” every year. Ronnie is a beautiful man, but he has never nailed any of Mick Taylor’s solos and in front of me in 2003 completely buggered up “Can’t you Hear me Knocking” and laughed it off. It was embarrassing. Up till 1978 it was about the music. From “Still Life” onwards it is about “the event” “Still Life” was recorded so badly it should never have been released

[@peterchecksfield9958]

@@demonsbutterfly Why should Ronnie "nail" Mick Taylor's solos? Brian, Mick T., Ronnie... they all had/have very different styles, and bring different things to the band. I'd much rather that than someone like Paul McCartney, who gets his talented musicians to play Beatles and Wings classics note-for-note...

[@demonsbutterfly]

@@peterchecksfield9958 because he gets halfway through a solo and buggers it up. But it’s all about lighting up another ciggy and laughing it off. The template for the modern show was set in 1989

[@TheHalrobot]

Of course it's a matter of taste, but I disagree with Scott. The '89 tour is artistically the least interesting. It was on this tour that they became "professionals". The Stones don't have to be professional, they have to be dangerous, threatening, unpredictable. For me, it’s in the 2000’s that I saw a return to the Stones I love. Ideally I'd eliminate the backup signers, but it's better than in '89. The only good thing about the '89 tour is that 2000 Light Years From Home was in the setlist!

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

I was in the same boat for the longest time. After spending time with some recordings I realized they were very much still there as a band. Just matured.

[@TheHalrobot]

@@HangFireStonesPodcast The televised concert of the '89 tour with Axl Rose and Eric Clapton as guests was the first time I discovered the Stones! Today it's my least favorite tour, but I still have a special attachment to it.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

@@TheHalrobot great show that one!

[@TheHalrobot]

@@HangFireStonesPodcast You had to go buy official Stones 3D glasses at the convenience store to see 2000 light Years From Home with cheesy 3D effects. 😅 Good old time.

[@HangFireStonesPodcast]

@@TheHalrobot worth it I'm sure!! 😁

[@captainkirk70]

'89 is the worst tour they've ever done. Horrific.

[@peterchecksfield9958]

Yet you said in another comment you saw them 4 times on that tour. If they were so "horrific", why didn't you sell your other tickets after your first show?

[@captainkirk70]

@@peterchecksfield9958 Because it was the Stones. My favorite band of all time. I took what I could get. Keith was great and that was enough. I tried not to look at Jagger as much as possible. Ridiculous and contrived. So choreographed it was painful. Almost like Michael Jackson except he forgot the glove.