The Rolling Stones finished 2012 on a high note, treating the capacity crowd last night (12/15/12) in Newark, N.J. at the Prudential Center to a star-studded 2-½ hour rockathon.
The event, which was also telecast via satellite and streamed online worldwide as a pay-per-view event, was the final show in their “50 and Counting” mini-tour, celebrating their 50th anniversary in the music industry.
The “Satisfaction” hitmakers jammed hard with some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Lady Gaga got down with frontman Mick Jagger for a sweaty duet on The Stones’ 1969 classic “Gimme Shelter” and stuck around to dance and party with the crowd afterwards.
Guitar slingers John Mayer and Gary Clark Jr. traded riffs with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood on Don Nix’s blues classic "Goin' Down.”
Rock duo The Black Keys sat in on a smoking version of Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?”
Hometown hero Bruce Springsteen joined Sir Mick for a rough and ready vocal workout of the 1972 “Exile on Main St.” hit “Tumbling Dice.”
Despite all the star power present, it was The Rolling Stones themselves that created the biggest waves, powering through hit after hit while proving to all and sundry why they are called “The World’s Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band.”
Despite entering their sixth decade in show business, the band showed no signs of coasting or slowing down, rocking through a 2½ hour set (their longest show to date), which highlighted 23-songs from all eras of their colourful career.
The Stones covered the gamut from early 60s era hits such as “Get Off of My Cloud” and “The Last Time” to the brand new tracks “Doom and Gloom” and “One More Shot,” with the old songs receiving as much enthusiasm and intensity as the new.
For long-time Rolling Stones fans, the highlight of the evening might have been the reappearance of ex-Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, who joined his former bandmates for a sizzling version of “Midnight Rambler.”
The Stones have not officially announced any shows for 2013, but a note appeared briefly Friday under the ‘Tour’ section on the band's mobile app, listing “Coachella 2013” on April 12, 2013 and was removed shortly thereafter.
Jagger teased fans concerned that this might have been their final concert ever, saying, "This is our last show (pregnant pause)….of the 50th Anniversary tour."
He then added, "we hope to see you again soon."