Boston Opening Night Review is Posted Today
Boston Fenway Park Opening Night of A Bigger Bang Tour

My Review is Coming this Weekend!
Just getting back into town on Tuesday at 2am and having to leave for work at 6:30am for a 10 hr day was rough. I will have the review of opening night posted on the Shrine this weekend I promise!!!!

Off to Boston to Kick Off A Bigger Bang!
The time has finally come. Tomorrow morning I board a plane for Boston, MA. The Stones open the Bigger Bang Tour at Boston's Fenway Park on Sunday night. Weather calling for strong thunderstorms...let's hope it's earlier in the day and that all is clear by showtime.

Packing the suitcase, "Got my money, my ticket and all that shit, I even got a little shaving kit" remember that lyric?

Have heard "Rough Justice", "Oh No Not You Again", "Back of My Hand" and "Infamy" all live in Toronto, and have heard full versions of "Streets Of Love", "It Won't Take Long" and "This Place is Empty" online...plus clips of all the rest. Everything sounds so fucking fantastic, back to the raw rock n' roll Stones without all the bells & whistles. Album comes out on Sept. 6.

Media is having a frenzy in Boston...boys are on the cover of all major newspaper, including USA Today. Finally getting the GOOD press they deserve!

Stay tuned for a review upon my return home Monday night. Shows secheduled so far this tour:

1)Boston opening night
2)Chicago Soldier Field
3)Toronto Rogers Centre
4)Pittsburgh PNC Park
5)Hershey Park Stadium
6)Washington DC, MCI Center
7 & 8)Philly Wachovia Center (both shows)
9 & 10)LA Hollywood Bowl (both shows)
10 & 12)San Francisco SBC Park (both shows)

Rolling Stones At Phoenix Club Toronto 8-10-05
Stones dreams do come true, and the boys didn't let me down. I will have a more in-depth review of the show available in Stones Planet Fanzine in September, but for now you can read my diary review on the Keith ShrineHERE

Also available online at Stones Planet

A Bigger Bang indeed!!!

I want to personally thank SL & TR for their assistance!

Lose Your Dreams & You Will Lose Your Mind
Ok, so sometimes Stones dreams do come true. In fact, many of mine have come true in the past 11 years...whether it was hard work, luck or a combination of both I will never know, but it's been worth it.

Another of my Stones dreams came true just yesterday, and it's too premature to announce here what it is...but you will know in a few days, so stay tuned!

"Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind"

New Stones Songs
I think sometimes people anticipate the new material from the Stones so much that they either end up being disappointed and hating all the new stuff...OR, loving it all, even if it's not that good.

I've heard mixed reactions on the new songs that were released this week: "Streets of Love" and "Rough Justice". I do like ballads, let me say that first off...but on first listen "Streets of Love" didn't catch me loving it. It reminded me too much of something off one of Mick's solo albums, too mainstream or popish...not Stonesy enough for me in the ballad department. Perhaps, as many say, it will grow on me.

On the other hand "Rough Justice" blew me away with the first few bars...it is a rocking track. Better than "Oh No Not You Again", which I liked as well. I think "Rough Justice" has some hit potential. Heavy Stones guitar work, which is always a seller for me.

We'll see what happens in the weeks to come since may radio stations only began playing "Rough Justice" a few days ago.

Can't wait to hear the rest of the album.

29 days until OPENING NIGHT-see YOU there!!!!

Special Hotel Package for San Francisco!
The Palomar Hotel in San Francisco has a special package prepared for Rolling Stones fans. This is a boutique hotel, with nice rooms, located near Union Square. If you book, please tell them you heard about it through Tamara aka Blue Lena on stonesplanet.com:


November 11 – 16, 2005
The Palomar STONES package includes:
• One night accommodations in a Deluxe King or Double Beds, Executive Room or Suite (Package price varies depending on room type)

• (2) “Lick your Lips” Cocktails at the Lounge on Five, located at the Fifth Floor Restaurant (A perfect pre-concert energizer!)

• (1) Rolling Stones Welcome Amenity Souvenir

• Arrive like a “rock star” with other Stone fans in our Palomar Stretch Limo to the SBC Stones Concert (limit 2 people per reservation)

Rates starting at $209.00 for Deluxe Room,
$229.00 for Executive Rooms or $409.00 for a Deluxe Suite.
Each additional night is $175.00 for Deluxe Kings or Double Beds, $229.00 for Executive Kings or $400.00 for a Deluxe Suite.

Package is based upon availability November 11-16, 2005 and subject to the 14% occupancy tax. Rates are based on single and double occupancy. Each additional person is $15.00.

Hotel Palomar is located 4 Minutes or 1.07 miles from the concert at SBC Park.

More information and photos of rooms, etc are available at Hotel Palomar website: http://www.hotelpalomar.com/


HOTEL PALOMAR, A Kimpton Hotel
12 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Direct Line: 415-344-3307

If you have questions about the package ask for Armel Reyes, director of group sales.

New Stones Book
Check out the new book entitled: "Rolling Stones and the Making of Let It Bleed" where Stones Planet's own Christian Diemoz is credited as a Stones expert...and he is! Book Link

Bitch
Mood:  don't ask
Ever have one of those days, when everyone you talk to acts like an asshole and everything that happens sucks? This is one of those days. Luckily listening to Stripped 2 (bootleg) calmed me down a bit. Although the song Bitch wasn't on there, it particularly applied today. Ah well, better luck tomorrow I guess.

Not a Drag Getting Old After All...
Mood:  happy
This is a snippet from an online newspaper from Arkansas...

I do wonder if some of today's acts will have the staying power of The Rolling Stones, or Aerosmith, or Johnny Cash. Somehow I can't feature any of the Interchangeable Blondes (Britney, Christina, Jessica, Lindsey, et al) still touring in 40 years. Granted, modern science, plastic surgery and preservatives could keep them looking the same as they do now, but I just don't think they have the staying power.

Nor can I see acts such as System of the Down, Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Clay Aiken, 50 Cent, or any of the other acts-of-the-moment still performing in 2045. I can't see some of them still performing in 2010.

However, I do suspect we'll probably see another Rolling Stones tour in 2045. I can picture it now — Charlie Watts propped up behind his drums and occasionally dozing off, Ronnie Wood sitting on stage in a rocking chair and a pot-bellied Mick Jagger alternately sucking on an oxygen hose and holding himself up with a cane.

Keith Richards, meanwhile, will be standing there, perfectly preserved, cigarette hanging from his lips, looking much the same as he is now, the enigmatic, unchanging Sphinx of rock 'n' roll.


Damn right about Keith, and don't you forget it! He'll still be kicking ass!