When I went out into the audience–I didn’t only stand backstage but would venture all over the venue to get a feel of what was gong on during the concerts. I said to the Stones that I felt they had a large fan base to count on.. there were the fans: of Mick, the lead singer with those big lips and gyrations; fans of Keith, more of the bad boy lead guitar fan; fans of Brian, the pretty boy artistically driven musician; fans of Bill Wyman, Stone faced quite intense base player (Bill got more women than everybody-mostly because he wanted to); fans of Charlie, the drummer–drummers always have their own following –(more on Charlie at some other posting as I always admired his love for his wife). I would tell them about my observations and they would say “Shut Up”, they didn’t care.
and then there was their attitude..The Rolling Stones was a job. Off the stage they were these individuals similar to any group of guys.. or girls for that matter.. With the typical dynamic.. Mick and Keith would come to me and say…Ron let’s do this..but don’t tell Bill or Brian as we just want to do it.. or Bill would come to me and say let’s do this..and don’t tell Mick.. Typical group dynamic. But when it came to their job…they all got on the stage and went to work..being the Rolling Stones.. The ability to separate the job from their lives was something else that I think led to their longevity. They never took it serious nor tried to live up to fan expectations…they didn’t pay attention to the press. The people that tried to live up to the what the fans thought and press thought, are dead or in rehab..
Me and the Rolling Stones
My life and times with the Stones,Beatles, etc.
