Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (second from right) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones returned to Southern California at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, and for a few hours, everything was almost as perfect as you could hope it to be.
Singer Mick Jagger danced across the stage and out the long catwalk into the crowd. Guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood tore through the classic riffs that power the legendary band’s deep catalog of hits.
But Charlie Watts is gone now and with the death of the drummer and cofounder of the band in August, came a mix of emotions: sorrow that the quiet presence behind the drum kit is not back there smiling as he kept the beat; and joy that the music plays on.
The show opened with a video tribute to Watts, a montage of images of the drummer through the six decades the Rolling Stones have rocked together. As he hit one last cymbal, the frame froze and out walked Jagger, Richards and Wood, kicking off the show with “Let’s Spend The Night Together.”
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger performs during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A tribute to late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts is shown across the stage prior to the band taking the stage during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards performs during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood performs during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (center) and Keith Richards perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (center) and drummer Steve Jordan perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger reacts to the crowd during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), drummer Steve Jordan (second from left), Mick Jagger (front), and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (second from right) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger reacts to the crowd during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Fans wait for the Rolling Stones to hit the stage for the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (second from right) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
]Rolling Stones fans shop for t-shirts and other tour merchandise prior to the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger (left), drummer Steve Jordan (center) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (center) and Keith Richards perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones drummer Steve Jordan (left), Mick Jagger (center), and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (center), and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (second from right) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger (left) and drummer Steve Jordan (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger (left) and guitarist Keith Richards perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger (left) and drummer Steve Jordan (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger points to the crowd during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (second from right) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger (left) and Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger performs as drummer Steve Jordan plays in place of the late Charlie Watts during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger performs as drummer Steve Jordan plays in place of the late Charlie Watts during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (center) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger (left), drummer Steve Jordan (center) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (second from right) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards performs during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger performs as drummer Steve Jordan plays in place of the late Charlie Watts during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger performs as long time keyboardist Chuck Leavell plays during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), drummer Steve Jordan (center) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger performs during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger performs as drummer Steve Jordan plays in place of the late Charlie Watts during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger performs as drummer Steve Jordan plays in place of the late Charlie Watts during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger (left) and drummer Steve Jordan (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger (left) and drummer Steve Jordan (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Rolling Stones Keith Richards (left) and Mick Jagger (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (center) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood (left), Mick Jagger (front), drummer Steve Jordan (second from right) and guitarist Keith Richards (right) perform during the first of two shows at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. Drummer Steve Jordan is playing in the place of the late Charlie Watts. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Ghost Hounds perform prior to the Rolling Stones at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Ghost Hounds perform prior to the Rolling Stones at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Ghost Hounds perform prior to the Rolling Stones at SoFi Stadium as a part of the bands No Filter Tour in Inglewood on Thursday night, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
“It was great to see those images of Charlie up there on screen right now,” Jagger told the crowd at the finish of the next song, “19th Nervous Breakdown.” “It reminds us of all those years we had together. We’d like to dedicate this show to him, so here’s to Charlie!”
The crowd roared, and things felt a little better for having spent a few moments remembering Watts.
From there, the celebration of this band and the music they’ve made unfolded like many a Stones show before.
Jagger, in particular, seemed in fine form on Thursday in Inglewood. He’s always a non-stop dynamo on stage. Two years ago at the Rose Bowl, his energy just months after heart surgery was astonishing. Here the 78-year-old singer seemed stronger, younger still.
Highlights early in the show included “Get Off of My Cloud,” with the stadium singing the words of the chorus back at Jagger, and “Tumbling Dice,” which featured Wood on one of many electric solos of the night.
“Living In a Ghost Town,” the band’s 2020 pandemic-referencing single, and only new original material since 2012, got its first live performance in California. Despite its unfamiliarity to many at SoFi, it’s vintage blues-and-reggae feel went down smoothly, though the crowd really came alive for “Start Me Up,” which followed.
It’s striking how many of these songs you recognize from the opening notes. French horn? “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Cowbell? “Honky Tonk Woman. Sitar? “Paint It Black.”
But the set also included a few less-often-played numbers. “Ruby Tuesday,” despite being one of the band’s bigger hits, hadn’t been performed in concert in five years, and showed up Thursday thanks to the fan vote that always selects one song for the set.
And Richards, during his customary mid-show mini-set to sing lead vocals, reached all the way back to 1967’s “Between The Buttons” album for the rarely performed “Connection.” Its lyrics — “All I want to do is get back to you” — suggested he’d picked it to celebrate the return to the road post-pandemic. His comments between songs made that even clearer.
“It is great to be part of the fun again,” Richards said in his bemused raspy mumble. “Let’s hope it all works out, baby.”
The back half of the set delivered more hits. Jagger unleashed his sexiest sexy walk for “Miss You,” a huge hit with the fans, while bassist Daryl Jones shined as the song extended into a lengthy workout at the finish.
Jones, like many of the touring musicians in the band, has worked with the Stones for decades, in his case, joining them in 1993 when founding bassist Bill Wyman retired. Drummer Steve Jordan, who replaced Watts for the current No Filter Tour, has been a friend of the band since he played on their 1986 album “Dirty Work,” and subsequently joined Richards’ side project the X-Pensive Winos.
“Midnight Rambler” saw Richards and Wood grinning at each other while trading greasy blues licks as Jagger played harmonica, and as the song stretched out to maybe 10 minutes, worked a few lyrics from Robert Johnson’s blues classic “Come On In My Kitchen” into it, too.
.After “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” closed out the main set, the Stones opened their encore with “Gimme Shelter,” which featured the usual vocal duet, or duel, between Jagger and background singer Sasha Allen, circling each other in the spotlight at the end of the catwalk for the “just a shot away” finish.
Then another moment of instant recognition — Richard’s opening riff on “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” — and the night worked its way to the finish, the guitarist joining Jagger on the catwalk for a little back-and-forth sing-and-play and a round of fireworks to end the show.
Earlier, before “Sympathy For The Devil,” Jagger had noted Thursday was the band’s 48th show in Los Angeles. That’s a loose definition of L.A., of course — SoFi is in Inglewood, the debut show he cited was in Santa Monica in 1964 (and their first U.S. show was in that “suburb of Hollywood,” San Bernardino).
But here’s to the 49th show when the Rolling Stones return to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, and a 50th sometime in the future, as these truly classic rockers roll on.
