Beautiful pics SV! RO has defintely reaped the rewards of your passion and talent as a photographer.

Went to bed at 9:30 last night after arriving home exhausted. Chicago never disappoints. It's a GREAT city; a Stones town. They always deliver in Chicago and Friday night was no exception. I'm not one to dissect a concert song for song. All I can say overall is that NOTHING could prepare me for the Band on this Tour. NOTHING. I saw the PPV show. I've read all the reviews. But until I sat in the Arena and saw it for myself, I couldn't comprehend just how GOOD this Band is. Keith has definitely kicked it up a few notches. His playing since I last saw them in 2006 is markedly improved. Ronnie as well. Charlie always delivers and what can one say about Mick Jagger??? The showman/shaman was on fire in Chicago. No one does it better than Mick. And Friday night he actually seemed to be enjoying himself, actually happy to be with the boys. One highlight for me was when Mick mentioned Ronnie's Birthday. Next thing we know all four are huddled together doing some type of dance as the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to Mssrs. Wood and Watts.

The setlist was perfect for me. No complaints; well I did sit through Miss U and One More Shot but overall it was A+. Gimme Shelter is LISA'S SONG. It was one of the best versions of my favorite Stones song. SAL was a special moment that I'll address later. I was disappointed to hear Sheryl  Crowe was the guest, but she did well with ADTL. Loved hearing ER for the first time ever!! When we heard the opening chords of CYHMK, SV and I jumped in the air, screamed and hugged each other like lunatics. Seeing Mick Taylor on stage with the Band is sublime. His return for Rambler was equally awe inspiring. When Mick T takes the stage, I noticed Ronnie and Keith are smiling alot yet very focused. The comraderie is so nice to see. And at one point during MR, Watts was doubled over in laughter!!! WTF???

So happy Keith did YGTS. He sings that one from his heart and belts out the lyrics. The choir is a beautiful addition to YCAGWYW. I've done enough setlist threads on RO to know what song was coming and when. And while it's easy for us to sit at our PC's and bemoan the warhorses, they are simply amazing when you get to see them live. I'm telling you boys and girls, it's worth the price of admission to see these guys. They are that good.

Onto Shine a Light. After Mary's death, her Mother searched for her custom made Keith bracelet (Betty refers to it as "those ugly handcuffs"). It was Mary's prized possesion and her Mom wanted to bury her wearing it. Well, Betty didn't find it in time. I told her it had to be there somewhere and sure enough Betty found it. A package arrived for me on my birthday and inside was the bracelet. Betty actually called me as I was opening the box! She said Mary would want me to have it. After expressing my gratitude, I told Betty I'd take it with me to the show. When SAL was announced as the winner of the fan choice vote, SV and I just looked at each other and the tears immediately started to flow. We knew. We knew Mary was with us. I reached in my purse and pulled out the bracelet and held it in the air for the duration of the song with tears pouring down my face. I kept looking to the heavens and at one point I felt Mary. I knew that she was okay; in a better place and at peace.

Speaking of tears, YES I CRIED. I cried when I went through the turnstile. I cried when the band took the stage. I cried during SAL. I consoled SV as SHE cried during YCAGWYW and I cried watching the video during JJF. A montage of clips of fans throughout the years. I saw myself in those faces. I realized that here I was, 38 years after my first show in 1975, at another Stones show without a care in the world. No worries. No stress. Just me, my Band and some very special friends. There is no price tag for that feeling. It's a blessing.

Sweet Virginia is a great partner in crime. Parmeda is a dear friend who I only get to see once every few years. I miss both of you already. Always great to see all RO'ers; but Martha and Maxmeister are extra special. Our time together was short but I know I'll see Martha again and Maxmeister and SV will be at the DC show to continue the fun. Great to meet monkeyman2, straycatuk and flairville. It used to feel strange but now I love to hear someone walk into a bar and ask "Is Lady Jane here?" Yep. Here I am.

I had voicemails from Voodoo and Moonie that I didn't even know about until I got to the airport yesterday. Sorry to have missed your calls, but once I got to the bar, I was not concentrating on my "granny phone".

So glad I've got a ticket for DC. Not ready for this to end yet!!!

One love!!!

sirmoonie wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2013 at 9:35pm:

I thought it was you