Rock 'n' Roll royalty

I live in a city of barely a million people. It's enough to make us the fourth largest city in Canada, but even so …


when the Rolling Stones come to town it's a big, flippin' deal.

And I didn't go! Tickets were what, $230 each? But the concert created a big stir in this small city, even among people like me who weren't willing to shell out that much money.

I took this photo several hours before the concert. The structure was built just for the Stones. I bet you couldn't get one of those seats, built right over the stage, for $230.

These folks are packing a street overlooking the concert. You had to be in just the right spot to see the screen, but we were hearing the live licks just fine.


I managed to get myself into a position where I could see the screen, and got this washed out but recognizable photo of Keith Richards.


This bottle blonde must have been up near the stage. When she realized the camera was on her, she started fondling her breasts, putting on a show for the boys.

Ho hum. Just another day at the office when you're a rock 'n' roll god.


Here's my best photo of Mick Jagger. The surroundings are well lit (compare it with the photo of the blonde) because of the pyrotechnics going on out of sight of the camera. The Stones were playing "Sympathy for the Devil" at the time, and twice they lit up the whole city with a vast column of fire.

Do you suppose they have any idea that this is a direct reference to the Bible?

The Israelites were led across the desert by a theophany: And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light. (Ex. 13:21) And here are the Stones, singing "Sympathy for the devil"; and there's the blasphemous column of fire, right on cue.

If you want to be a Satan-worshiping rock 'n' roll act, you've got to do your theological homework.

The Rolling Stones do Ottawa, Aug. 28, 2005.