I Know It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll But I Like It! Viva Las Vegas

Who could resist the chance to see the legendary Rolling Stones one more time? Quick trip to Vegas but, truthfully, 3 days in Vegas is enough for me at any one time. We filled the days with sunshine, four-star cuisine, classic rock of the first degree, shopping, and about as much fun as you can fit into a long weekend.

My girlfriend and I stayed at the MGM Signature which worked out well logistically and otherwise. Dinner Friday night was at L’Atelier de Joel Robushon in the MGM Grand.

The food was equally beautiful and delicious. Even though I had probably consumed two days worth of calories with the rich carrot cumin soup, baked sole, and wine paired by the sommelier, dessert seemed mandatory.

Saturday morning we started at the Container Park and old downtown. Sadly, a lot of places are still closed due to COVID-19 shutdowns, staff shortage, and reduced tourism. It has a super cool vibe but is even more fun at night with the zip lines, overhead lights and live performers everywhere outside. There were quite a lot of homeless people with signs but I suppose that’s in every big city. All afternoon we walked the strip, popping into interesting places, saving just a little time to sit by the pool before heading to the show.

Built recently for the Las Vegas Raiders, the domed stadium holds 65,000 people and touts state-of-the-art electronics. With the place full of aging rockers, it was full of positive energy and excitement. Let’s be real — Mick, Ronnie and Keith don’t need the money. There’s no doubt that they’re performing because it’s what they love. I’ve never seen them smile so much. Truly, they looked like they were just having fun.

Mick was strutting with his classic moves and frequent wardrobe changes. The back-up band and vocals helped whenever it might have otherwise been hard to hit a note. The set list was terrific but there’s no way they could play everything I wanted to hear. All in all, it was an amazing show and a two-hour time lapse of classic rock in the 60s and 70s.

Sunday we walked over 11 miles, shopping, people-watching, and soaking up the gorgeous sunshine. By moving up our dinner reservations, we had time for another show and we were able to get tickets for the House of Blues. It’s good to be lucky. Dinner at Lotus of Siam was as good as expected. I’ve been to Thailand but this was Thai cuisine of the highest level. Add in a bottle of recommended wine and it was a feast that I won’t soon forget.

Our tickets for The House of Blues, an Intimate Evening with Carlos Santana, were for the standing section near the stage. Perfect! For two hours, we stood about 15 or 20 feet from Carlos Santana while he played his guitars as only he can. He has some magic way of running passion through his fingers and creating a unique sound that’s instantly recognizable. The few things he said in between songs were all about love, sharing, and caring.

If we had another day, we could have gone to Sting’s show but, alas, the “real world” was calling. As much as Las Vegas is a fantasy land where chips aren’t real money and show girls aren’t ordinary women, the weekend of flashback rock was incredibly fun but not quite real. I’m fine with that. I don’t want to go back to the 70s but I think the “real world” needs to be periodically interspersed with music and visions of love and peace.

“Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind.” Ruby Tuesday

“Don’t question why she needs to be so free. She’ll tell you it’s the only way to be. She just can’t be chained to a life where nothing’s gained or nothing’s lost, at such a cost.” Ruby Tuesday, The Rolling Stones 1967