Rocking, Not Rolling Over: The Stones Return!

They are all over 60 years of age, they’ve worked together for more than 40 consecutive years (alright, with one exception to both) and back in their homeland they’d be eligible for Old Age Pensioners pay -- Social Security here. Yet as they head towards their '70s, they're still out on the road and show no signs of slowing down! They are, of course, the one and only Rolling Stones, and certainly have earned the right to promote themselves as the World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band.

Once again, they have another sell-out performance on their hands tomorrow night (Sat. March 4) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and casino-resort officials promise there will be no repeat of the violence that sent the group into shock down in South America last week. Extra security has been added to beef up an already overwhelming presence of force, to deal with the "sold out" tickets phenomena. Remember, this weekend's gig was added to the earlier two in November last year, just to accommodate fans here who couldn't get in the first time around.

I was fortunate to be invited backstage to their 14,000 sell-out show on Thanksgiving, to experience the makeshift British pub -- complete with authentic English grub, beers and dartboard -- that they set up for VIPs and friends at each stop of their "Bigger Bang" tour. Then they called it "The Rattlesnake Inn," so I'm curious to see if it has a name change this time around. Be assured though it will be another all-star scene. Last time, I spotted. CNN’s Larry King, Chris Rock, drummer Ronnie Vannucci and singer Brandon Flowers of The Killers; Palms hotel owner George Maloof and even Pamela Anderson. This will be the Stones’ nearly 100th stop on their world "farewell" tour, and I can tell you they’re not quitting. They’re too loyal to their 400+ family of roadies and crew, many of whom have been with them almost 40 years themselves...

Their bottomless energy is perfectly captured in the newest painting of Mick Jagger by his band-mate Ron Wood, who by the way, is the exception to the first paragraph facts, turning 59 this year and having only played with the Stones for a mere 30 years! His art can be seen year-round (including this weekend!) at our own Jack Gallery...

Still hard to believe these sexagenarian rock stars, who debuted in July 1962 when I was a cub reporter in London, are still jumping around like Jack Flash (guess I just dated myself as well!). Expect to find Mick at Bellagio's Light club after the show, with another impromptu wild dance display of non-stop strutting,

preening, pouting and prancing, just as he gyrates in the 21- song 2-hour long show. One wild Vegas weekend is guaranteed!!

In fact, even if you're not Rolling with the Stones this weekend, there are plenty of ways to rock, and without further to-do, here's Robin’s Rich & Royal Rundown:

Coincidently, another veteran Brit who not only started as a contemporary of the Stones but even shared a record label in the US, is also headlining at MGM. Tom Jones (whom I'm compelled to address as "Sir Tom" since he was knighted by self-confessed fan Queen Elizabeth II in 2002) still gets underwear and room keys thrown at him while he swivels his stuff, even after 50 years of showbiz life. His current run began last night (Thurs. March 2) and goes until March 15 -- with a promise to return again in April and May... Younger Brit vets The Cult perform at The Joint in the Hard Rock tonight (Fri Mar. 3), and will definitely play their hit "She Sells Sanctuary," revived in the Nissan car commercials... Elsewhere, Styx rocks tomorrow (Sat. Mar. 4) at the House of Blues... Jose Feliciano (who first played Vegas in '68, opening for Sinatra!) has two nights of dual language English/Spanish shows (Fri./Sat.)) at the Stardust... country king Glenn Campbell (with Debby Campbell as special guest star) takes a 3 night run through Sunday at the Suncoast... Donny Osmond sings for his supper thru Sunday evening at The Orleans... and Barry Manilow keeps his 'Music and Passion' alive at the Hilton thru the weekend, before returning here again March 15-18.

If you’re not musically minded, king comic Jay Leno cuts it up at The Mirage again tonight and tomorrow (Fri./Sat.) And two other special events of import: Caesars Palace hosts the National Heads Up Poker Championship today, and inside the fence of the wired ring at Mandalay Bay, is Ultimate Fighting Championship 58, with the United States at war with Canada. It might just be the right way to solve a border dispute!

Before we go, congratulations aredue to hometown hero Jerry Lewis, who turns 80 come March 26, but vows to be able to resume his Orleans showroom contract after a 5 year absence battling tremendous weight gain from steroids to combat severe back pain. He’s now off the prescribed drugs and lost 100 pounds (back down to 176 lbs). He also promises to be in fighting shape for Labor Day, when he will move the Muscular Dystrophy telethon back to Vegas, to be headquartered at the new Southcoast Casino. Congratulations are also due to hometown star Mikalah Gordon from 'American Idol,' who though only 18, has been asked by Ryan Seacrest to be a correspondent for that show and by supermodel Tyra Banks for a similar gig on her daytime gabfest program. Without a doubt, Mikalah has a starry showbiz career ahead of her...

So have yourselves a wild and wonderful weekend. So you don’t miss one exciting edition, simply click here or on the 'Alert Me' tab up top simply click here and we’ll remind you every day the moment we’re up and running. You can email robinsvegas@aol.com with any of your own terrific tales of tormenting temptations from the city that truly never sleeps.

Don't forget: go to AOL Vegas for much more on hotels, casinos, restaurants, nightlife, and everything Las Vegas! Check AOL Travel for great deals on hotels, airfare and much more! And when visiting Vegas, be sure to see Las Vegas Magazine in your hotel room (or at kiosks in Fashion Show Mall) featuring a print edition of Luxe Life: Vegas, and an incredible directory of attractions, shows and restaurants here.

robinsvegas at 4:56:00 PM PST Blog about this entry

Celebrity Gossip From Las Vegas With Robin Leach \| Luxe Life Digest Public Journal
Back to Journal	Archives \| Alerts x Entry Alerts Comment Alerts \| Feeds

Celebrity Gossip From Las Vegas With Robin Leach | Luxe Life Digest

Rocking, Not Rolling Over: The Stones Return!