Sympathy for the Sexagenarians

   For those who were hoping for a little more controversy other than some terrible displays of officiating, it appears that the choice of the Rolling Stones as the half-time performers at Super Bowl XL might have left some people disappointed.  Even though the Stones clearly proved that they are still relevant and solid, some would argue that they were the "safe" choice.  No body parts this year except for Mick's jiggly underarms.  The Stones were certainly more entertaining than most of the commercials or the entire first half of the game.  Wild horses couldn't have dragged me away from watching them. When that tongue staged rolled out they blew the fans in the mosh pit to bits! So what if they are no longer in their 20's?  Most 20 year oldswho were watching the game probably took the half-time opportunity to run and buy more liquor.  For those of us not needing a bathroom break or more chili, we witnessed the following; that they are still hip and outrageous, still self-promotional, still can wear pencil straight jeans in their 60's and look more toned than a lot of 40 year olds I know.  I am sure not every one who watched the game likes the Stones. Some born after 1980 may not even know who they are.  But for those of us who danced to Brown Sugar or Jumpin' Jack Flash at Wilson's Ice Cream Shop in the 70's, we stood back in amazement admiring their longevity and Mick's still peculiar strut.  Keith Richards still looks the same today as he did 40 years ago...road hard and put away wet.         Many critics of the decision to feature a band from the UK felt that with the rich Motown history in Detroit, there were so many other obvious choices as well as the ones featured in the Motown tribute before the game.  Stevie Wonder, Aretha (I don't need a microphone) Franklin, India.Arie, John Legend, Joss Stone, Aaron (feather voice) Neville, and Dr. John all performed.  Also it was argued that since the Super Bowl is an American institution it should feature American artists.  I contend that when a band has been around entertaining us as long as the Stones have, they ARE an American institution.  They have been together for more than 40 years rocking us here in the USA as well as abroad and we got to watch them for free last night. They may be old and wrinkled but they are still legends that know how to dial it up.  

Some would say that the Stones have finally surrendered to commercialism.  Hello?  They unapologetically revolutionized rock commercialism.  And what is more commercial than the millions of dollars spent on those Super Bowl commercials?  I would like to point out that it's us old geezers (over 40) who have the greenbacks to actually buy a lot of the products advertised during the Super Bowl.  The target age they are trying to reach is 18-34.  (The ones buying more Bud Light at the Quick-Mart during half time or re-heating the taco dip).  The fact that the Rolling Stones played might actually have helped with a demographic delivery that the advertisers were too un-hip to recognize as the age group with the thick wallets.  

So you say Mick sounded a bit off key?  Uh, that's because he was singing LIVE...look it up...not lip synching, not in the Stones vocabulary...   Please allow him to introduce himself...he's Mick Jagger...the real deal.  The Stones play second to no one of that era.  They did have to censor him and impose the five-second tape delay thanks to Janet's display two years ago. Maybe their performance was not what we all recall from days gone by but at our ages, who can remember?  Come on those of you under 35...will you never be satisfied?  Lighten up youngsters!  Sit back, eat your wings, drink your hard lemonades and relax...For God's sake, "it's only rock and roll" not the second coming!

Maybe next year they can use a rapper or two at the half-time show instead of a band that really knows how to make classic rock. Someone like Eminem or Busta Rhymes.  Sure they are more hip and trendy.   But last I heard, none of the Stones bodyguards got shot at a music video taping like Busta Ryhmes guard just did. The bodyguard, who was a father of 3, was guarding Busta's bling...give me classic rock ANY day.  Those of you who don't appreciate that can keep the bling.

I can only speak on behalf of those I was with during the Super Bowl Half Time Show.. "we liked it, liked it, yes we did...".