07/25/2026
On November 27th, 1969, The Rolling Stones played their first-ever gig at Madison Square Garden. The joint was sold out! I had seen the Stones five years earlier at The Academy of Music on East 14th Street, and despite the half-empty music hall, Mick Jagger owned the stage. He moved back and forth across the Academy stage like a human tornado. He and the Stones were fantastic! I will never forget seeing The Rolling Stones live for the first time — ever, ever, ever.
Now back at MSG in 1969, with my cameras ready, I got to catch these images of Jagger from the lip of the stage. Jagger bounced onstage with an Uncle Sam top hat, and that man’s hat was where he was at! He and the Stones played a foot-stomping, fantastic version of “Jumping Jack Flash” — that was their opening tune. A classic.
Mick Jagger was 27 years young and had legitimate, musical self-confidence. His distinctive, edgy blues voice was phenomenal. Ladies and gentlemen, The Rolling Stones turned the (filled to capacity) joint out! More than twenty thousand people were mesmerized. It was another powerful stepping-stone for the legendary musical blues, folk, rock group. “As a matter of fact, it was a gas gas gas” — The Stones illuminated my soul. And always have, to this day.
Cut to, decades later — I was in a Columbus Avenue hangout at midday with four friends when Mick Jagger walked into the nearly empty place and sat down near our table. Nobody said a word, including Mick. He ordered a beer and peacefully drank it quickly, then ordered a second beer, slowed his pace, finished it, left a $100 bill on the table, got up, smiled at our table, and quietly left. I started to feel that Jagger probably really enjoyed his time alone, away from the celebrity grind. Another two decades went by, and I was in an excellent Italian joint on 9th Avenue in midtown when in walked Jagger, alone, sat down at a two-top, ordered, eyes glued to his cell. His food came and he ate solo, peacefully. My flashback thoughts of him alone returned.
I hope tomorrow this cat is thinking more of his many kids or grandkids and less of Keith or Ronnie, Charlie, Bill, or Brian — all of whom are/were just as talented. Mick Jagger
