The Rolling Stones: Still Rippin’ The Joint, Fifty Years On

When yer blogger was 16 she had her first erotic dream. Mick Jagger. A fountain. Somewhere in sleepy London town. How's that for a teaser? Now that I have your attention, please allow me to introduce my midnight ramble about The Rolling Stones' June 18 concert in Philadelphia, and -- more specifically -- the enduring appeal of the band's strangely sexy frontman. This year The Stones have been hanging fire all across North America with their 50 & Counting Tour. Fifty, as in 50 years of belting out what is arguably the most organic, unadulterated rock and roll ever to emerge from American blues, R&B, and country-honk tradition. Here's my rant.

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The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones: Some Sound Opinions, 50 Years On

"My brother's back at home with his Beatles and his Stones; we never got it off on that revolution stuff." So lamented Mott the Hoople in their 1972 "All The Young Dudes," a David Bowie-penned anthem about aimless glam-rockers and their disdain for the values of the past. Oh, those boogaloo boys in their eyeliner, glitter and platform shoes! I've enjoyed glam-rock as much as many other genres, from punk to bluegrass. But no matter how many musical roads I've traveled, I always end up "back at home, with my Beatles and my Stones." This summer, my two favorite bands celebrated 50th anniversaries.

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