Page 86 - ION Indie Magazine_JanFeb 2019

There are certain things that you just don’t mess around with. If you ask Jim Croce, I mean, IF you could ask him
as he’s no longer with us in the physical sense, then it would be “you don’t mess around with Jim.” Some things
just aren’t touchable, much like Superman’s cape. And when it comes to listing legends in rock music, not many
rank above Mick Jagger…at least in this Baby Boomer’s view.

I had the supreme opportunity to experience The Rolling Stones live in concert in the ‘70s. Yes, it was pretty
epic. I soon followed up that concert with another little soiree thrown by a group of choir boys who went by the
name of “Aerosmith.” When naming bands who qualify for royalty status in the rock realm, these two groups
are major contenders. The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith are to rock ‘n’ roll, what the queen is to Buckingham
Palace – minus the sensible shoes of the monarchy, natch. The experience of attending a Stones concert is a
memory forever etched in my mind’s eye. It definitely invites conversation when I share that I witnessed Mick
Jagger rock a stage LIVE. I still can close my eyes and it all comes back to me…the sights, the sounds, and yes,
the lingering odor of a certain herb of which I have no personal knowledge about.

Fast-forward to present time and my current gig as a music journalist. Back when I was singing along to every
word of “Honky Tonk Woman” or wearing out my copy of “Toys In The Attic” by Aerosmith, little did I know that
someday, I would be sending out teams of photojournalists to capture the images of the idols of my youth.
Steven Tyler has appeared in these pages when we caught up with him a few years ago. Mr. Tyler def delivered
the goods for ION’s lenses, strutting and mugging for our cameras, scarves and hair whipping about all rock god-
like. We haven’t been so fortunate with Mick and The Stones, but hope does spring eternal. A fairy can dream,
can’t she? I dare say Mick looks less likely to break a hip than moi, as he can still dance like a maniacal rooster
on stage.

On October 20, 2018, I saw the best example of “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” in MICK ADAMS AND
THE STONES when they appeared at the Hunger Relief Concert benefitting Sweetwater Mission at the Mable
House Barnes Amphitheatre. ION was there to get up close and personal with Mick and the gang, which includes
Mick Adams as Mick Jagger, Vince Lupo as Charlie Watts, Ron Jessurun as Ronnie Wood, Marvin Sperling as Bill
Wyman, Mirinus “Mo” Bey (a voracious vocalist!) as Lisa Fischer, and Jimi Seville on keyboards…whose
impressive keys added much to the Stones’ song “She’s A Rainbow” (that song from the Acura commercial).

But first, I would like to take a moment to thank Erin O’Brien, band manager extraordinaire from Ultimate
Entertainment, for her graciously accommodating this last-minute ION shoot, and also, a huge shout-out to the
band overall for the warm welcome that we received. But that SHOW…

What I can say is that seeing Mick Adams and The Stones is about as close as you can get to mixing it with Mick.
The costuming, which can look a bit over-the-top when up-close backstage, translates well on stage. When
watching playbacks on my phone of the live show, one could almost think this was the real deal. However,
listening to the music made me a full believer in the authenticity of this tribute band, as the musicianship took
me back to the 70s…and justlikethat, there I was at that long-ago Stones concert.

While Mick Adams delivered unto us as the opener “Start Me Up,” shaking his hips and pursing his lips, I found
myself in a teenage time-warp. I was once again that 17-year-old girl sitting next to one of many guys that I
thought I was going to marry whose name I can’t recall -- my benefactor for this particular concert experience.
I was wearing my new rust-colored polyester bell bottoms, topped with a white tied-up nylon midriff blouse,
and sporting my freshly-feathered Rod Stewart-esque haircut…and I was going ape-shit cray cray for The Rolling
Stones. Seems like yesterday and yet, eons ago. Yet tonight, time stood still for me, as Mick Adams went
effortlessly from one chart-topping Stones’ song to the next as he cut up in between songs with his BFFs, Keith,
Bill, and Charlie. Good times!