RSFCO

Set list:
Street Fighting Man - You Got Me Rocking - If You Can't Rock Me - Don't Stop - It's Only Rock'n'Roll - No Expectations - Sweet Virginia - All Down The Line - Tumbling Dice
- Thru and Thru - Before They Make Me Run - Start Me Up - Gimme Shelter - Can't You Hear Me Knocking - Honky Tonk Woman - Satisfaction - When The Whip Comes Down - Like A Rolling Stone - Brown Sugar - Jumping Jack Flash.

Mark Whittington, Mercury News

Keith Richards lays down some rock rhythm guitar Tuesday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

The answer was plastered all over Keith Richards' crevices. His smile of pure joy answered all the unspoken questions.

Would the Rolling Stones rock or sleepwalk Tuesday night in San Jose? Is the only reason to extend this tour to slurp a few more million from the American gravy train? Why pay up to $300 a seat when you can see the band's HBO special?

The opening strains of ``Street Fighting Man'' brought the aging rock fans who'd filled HP Pavilion to their feet, where they stayed standing and howling for two hours.

``Tonight we're gonna be the sharks in the Shark Tank,'' Mick Jagger growled as the band launched into ``Don't Stop.''

It didn't. Greatest hit followed greatest hit. ``Satisfaction.'' ``Brown Sugar.'' ``Start Me Up.'' ``Tumblin' Dice.'' ``Gimme Shelter.'' ``Honky Tonk Woman.'' ``Jumpin' Jack Flash.''

No matter that the band had played all these songs three months ago at sold-out shows at Pac Bell Park and the Oakland Coliseum Arena. Everybody knows it's only rock 'n' roll. But they like it.

That was obvious on stage. The Stones are still touring because it's fun.

What was different Tuesday night? Not much. The sound was better. Ron Wood chipped in a sinuous acoustic slide on ``No Expectations.'' The biggest difference: Last fall belonged to Jagger's showmanship; this time, Richards drove the band with his minimalist guitar riffs.

The Stones head to L.A.'s Staples Center tonight to play a free public concert for the first time since their ill-fated show at Altamont in 1969. ``Kangaroo Jack'' producer Steve Bing is footing the bill to benefit the National Resources Defense Council.

Well I think I made it to heaven, except my wife was too sick to go with me so I sold the ticket to a teacher friend and we whisked onto the floor right as DA STONES were taking the stage. My friend wanted to try to get to the front as our seats were in the 3rd row next to the secondary stage on the aisle on Keith's side. So we go walking down the middle section on the right and get all the way up to about row 12 and stand in seats one and 2 for about the first 5 Stones songs. Amazing. I am in Heaven. I cannot believe the energy I see coming off that stage in front of me, not to mention the fine tunes. Now I must admit I did have a few brewskis so I was giddier than a newlywed on his honeymoon but my dream to see em up close was being realized. The real seat owners for those seats show up LATE to the Stones if ya can believe that, and we have to move on back. So we decide to go back to our seats and continue to listen to DA STONES kick em out. My friend goes up next to the stage as the Stones come down for the secondary stage. I stay on the aisle seat since a guy got annoyed with me when I tried to go up close and I am 6'3" so I was blocking his view a bit. Hey row 3 is fine for me and I had more room to dance anyway. I am now giddier than giddy can get as DA STONES pound out a few more tunes and run all around the stage like Banshees on fire. Keith tosses a pick to my friend and I get to touch it after the show. Should I wash my fingers? haha. I am just blown away by the sheer energy of these guys. After the show we go have another brewski at a nearby bar and have a good old time. I drive home and get lost. I live about 50 miles out of San Jose. I should not be driving really since I seem to be driving in circles, praying I see no police. I finally get headed toward home after wandering around the San Jose area for an hour. Then I hit something in the freeway which ends up puncturing my gas line and by the time I get to within a 1/2 mile of my home and over the bridge, I run out of gas. I call my son and he comes and rescues me. By now it is about 2:30AM and I have to work at 8:00AM Needless to say I called in sick because my voice was shot for one thing, my car needed towing to the shop, and my head throbbed a little. I think I have finally reached my final Stones concert and it was a memorable one but those are famous last words I am sure.

Mark Donnelly

Richards lifts Stones in S.J. show