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Pittsburgh hosts the Stones
Sunday, March 07, 1999
Over the past 35 years, the Rolling Stones have been to Pittsburgh six times, beginning with a show at the West View Park Danceland on their first United States tour.
Pittsburgh music historian Dave Goodrich is probably the only person in town with the bragging rights of perfect attendance - at least till now. He's thinking of passing on Thursday night's show. "I just don't have the interest," he says. "But I guess if I got a free ticket, I'd go."
In the meantime, he helped us compile this list of past Pittsburgh shows.
June 17, 1964 - On its nine-date first U.S. tour, the Stones performed at West View Park Danceland with Bobby Goldsboro, the Pixies 3 and Patti and Emblems. It was a small crowd, as their only exposure had been "The Dean Martin Show" and the single "Not Fade Away." If you weren't there, the main thing you missed was the historical value. Goodrich says it was "not a great show."
Nov. 24, 1965 - With "Get Off of My Cloud" on the top of the charts, the Stones returned triumphantly to rock the Civic Arena for the KQV Thanksgiving Shower of Stars. Opening acts were Simon & Garfunkel, the Byrds, Paul Revere and the Raiders and We Five. They played to a wild crowd of 9,131 fans.
June 25, 1966 - The crowd was smaller (6,214) and the Stones' darker "Aftermath" tour wasn't as well received, with the band focusing on "downer" material like "Paint it, Black" and "Lady Jane." The band, according to Goodrich, may have been worn out from playing Cleveland earlier in the afternoon. Opening acts were the Standells and the McCoys.
July 23, 1972 - This was the show to see. Goodrich says, "The band was at the height of its creative powers on the 'Exile on Main Street' tour. Diehard fans can recite the set list like a mantra: 'Brown Sugar,' 'Tumbling Dice,' 'Bitch,' 'All Down the Line' ..." The Stones also had more manpower, backed by Nicky Hopkins, Bobby Keys and Jim Horn. The sell-out crowd of 13,845 paid a top price of $6.50 for tickets.
Sept. 6, 1989 - 63,000 fans packed Three Rivers Stadium as the Stones finally returned with the giant spectacle of the "Steel Wheels" tour. After opening act Living Colour, Jagger and company leaped onstage to an explosion and the opening riff of "Start Me Up."
Sept. 29, 1994 - The Stones returned to Three Rivers Stadium with Blind Melon for the "Voodoo Lounge" tour. It featured a set list even more pleasing to old fans and another elaborate stage decked out with a lounge motif, giant inflatables and the world's largest video screen.
- Scott Mervis
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