I still cannot understand what got Mick so winded. I would be much more concerned if he suddenly canceled (then there would be considerable reason to worry...). 

Still, is it age that is finally catching up with him? Remember.. he "IS" pushing 70. Not 60 ... but he is almost 70. When is the last time you went to the gym to see a 70 year old guy truly working out? We are not talking just walking ... or perhaps stretching but I mean "working out"?

Past the age of the mid sixties they really simply cant a whole lot. They are simply mildly exercising. Well running around up there while singing is really not a whole lot different. It's exercise. Is it that taxing on Mick now? If so.. he will never make a large tour. I hope he was just getting over being sick or something. I mean man ... guy was really trying to get his breath... that isn't like The Mick Jagger we all know folks... I'd say for certain it is age... but just a few months ago at The Grammy's he seemed like old Mick?

What are your thoughts?


Ian

Ian Billen wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2012 at 5:00pm:






There's a school of thought amongst Stones fans that they (and particularly Mick) can just pick up where they left off in 2007 as if it was five weeks ago, not five years ago. Its unrealistic fan-boy nonsense.

Five years is a LONG time in this form of entertainment - more so when you're in your late 60s. Even more so when some of the band weren't in great shape to begin with. This is the longest period of inactivity in the band's entire career (even when they took a few years off touring in the 80s and early 90s, they still kept active individually in terms of recording and touring and there was some band studio work as well)

Like any fan, I'd like to see/hear them perform live again, but there's part of me that thinks that taking such a long gap at this stage in their lives could be the worst mistake they've ever made. Especially when you consider that until last night, Mick and Keith had barely spent half an hour between them in total on concert stages since August 2007.

I'm not going to write the man off based on him being a bit winded - and in fairness, he seemed to get better as the performance went on.  He might have had a bit of flu - or maybe he's just a bit out of practice. We simply dont know. In cases like the latter, it does take a while to pace yourself and get your breathing right.

Mick's a professional and I trust him to get it right. He's not going to go onstage and embarrass himself. If it means toning his act down a bit to be able to deliver a better paced show, he'll do so (he did precisely that in 1989 and sang better as a result as he wasnt running around catwalks like a blue-arsed fly for two hours). Not before time. If it means concentrating more on the music than the spectacle, it mightnt be a bad thing.

I think he was nervous--not much rehearsal, small room, tv cameras, etc.   his eyes looked wired that first number, he relaxed as show went on.  People keep comparing this performance to his Grammy number, but I don't think he had to stop and speak to the crowd after that tune at the Grammys.

Brainbell Jangler wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2012 at 4:40pm:



So what is it again?

So ala mode it be?

So commode it be?

So toad it be?


See the bottom line is this, I'm a Presbyterian and I'm not really clued into the whole Wicca thing. I just figured that that would be a reference that our "only idiots believe in God" brigade would understand. Thanks for clearing up the spelling for me guys!


No back on topic. Mick was very winded, but I tend to agree with Gazza on this one. Dude's old. I'd even be tempted to believe that Mick may well be a tad under the weather. It's a gig that couldn't be rescheduled, and I'm sure he prolly just tuffed it out given the importance of the gig.

So blow-my-load it be.


Riffy

What a bunch of fuckwittery this thread has become.

You three are a shower of bastards....   

Gazza wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2012 at 5:17pm:


________________________________





Gazza... I am not a "fanboy" who doesn't realize the realism's showbiz exposes.

....Speaking of being realistic... "realistically", Mick would of known about this Whitehouse offering for a good few months...even though we only knew for about a month. A couple months is "plenty" of time to prepare for such a small segment. ..even for a 68 year old performer (it was only three or four songs). The Mick Jagger we all know would of most certainly "prepared" ... It isn't like he got the call last week.

Now, I agree that he could of been sick or been getting over being sick and if not... all I can say is he's up there now and it's understandable.

Yes... Jagger is a "professional" and he will adjust his act accordingly. The guy knows the logistics as well he is very in tune with his body. He almost ...well is basically he's like an older exercise guru who takes into consideration the times and his age and never embarrasses himself....he is too perceptive and wise for all that. I agree... he wouldn't make a mistake or undergo something that he couldn't manage in those respects. He knows what is required physically and he will adjust and plan ahead for all that. This is why he is still doing what hes doing and nobody his age can (in that fashion).  Mick would never subject himself to embarrassment on stage because of his own negligence (at least not physically).

I also agree that the long break they had at this age indeed could hurt them (especially possibly Keith)... but I think a few months of rehearsal and they will be fine. This time rehearsals should be eight or ten weeks possibly.

I also agree that if / when Jagger tones it down a bit more on stage that may not be a bad thing either and could be nice in ways. In fact, it may mean we get more "substance" and effort vocally (and musically) from Mick versus the athleticism outweighing the two halfs.  

I have never saw Mick Jagger that out of breath. Nor have I "ever" saw a handler come up to him in front of everyone and give him a water to drink while he was talking to the crowd? Mick usually sips his water when he wants to..  The handler knew Mick was "hurting" and this was the most tell-tale sign that Mick Jagger was not 100%...this is what really concerned me.  However the strange thing about it is that inbetween songs it made you think wow... Mick is really trying to catch his breath here... and is having a hard time doing it... he's winded from one song. Still the only really only noticeable part concerning that was when was in between songs? While he was singing he was for the most part fine. That is something? As well, that's encouraging and hoping for the best.


- Ian

Gazza wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2012 at 7:15pm:

Gazza's Greatest hits. ...Bring on friday when we can trash Keith.

Ian Billen wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2012 at 5:00pm:


OK I think MICK was actually nervous in the beginningl! Also, he only got winded after the first song. It's similar to when I go to the gym for a workout ~ the first few minutes on the treadmill I start to sweat, but after about 5 - 10 minutes into it, I get my stride going and my body adjusts. Then I can go for 45 - 60 minutes no problem, but the first 5 minutes are the hardest part. And, MICK always does have water on the stage on tour so it wasnt unusual seeing him drink some water at the White House.

I'm a little surprised by all the fuss about this. To me it was obvious when he told the story about Sonny Boy Williamson that he was feeling under the weather because his voice sounded far more reserved, as if he was saving it. Even when he sang I Can't Turn You Loose he sounded slightly off. He's usually a far more powerful blues singer but he just sounded like he was a little ill. That's precisely why he's the greatest. He was still unbelievable while ill. People talk about passion and drive, they should just look up Mick Jagger. It's just a shame that if it's not for money or something glamorous like meeting the President, he hardly does this stuff.

The anger over Miss You also surprised me. First, Mick has always talked about the harp bit being "blues harmonica." Maybe it was his way of showing that even the Stones at their pop best are rooted in the blues. Maybe someone at the White House put in a request. Also, even though this is on PBS, remember it is still TELEVISION and it shouldn't surprise anyone if someone said give us one of the bigger hits for the TV audience please. A far more pretentious move would have been to say, no get lost, I want to sing You Got To Move even though you invited me for this special occasion. Would I have preferred to hear You Got To Move? Of course, but give the guy a break. There could have been a host of valid reasons for picking Miss You. This wasn't a night of the blues at Mick Jagger's house. Besides, be happy that it was Miss You and not some crap with Jennifer Lopez.

relax Ian, I saw Mick ask/gesture for water--there was apparently none on the stage.

or maybe all those big blow-hards sucked the oxygen outta that tiny room--Jesus Christ, they were sitting like 2 ft in front of the "stage"

One thing I took out of all that,was how well the streaming worked. Now that's something that should be considered for the next Stones tour. Of course it wouldn't be free,but whatever they charge would be cheaper than a concert ticket. I know some bands already do it. How cool would that be to just sit in front of your computer and watch a live Stones concert?