I am tired in a way I hope is repeated a few more times in my lifetime after yesteday's concert. There are a number of references to the concert in the media, but a few things struck me that I'll share.

First, the love and pride for our Armed Forces was evident in voices that, hopefully, were heard all the way to Ottawa. A parachuting team from the armed forces (I believe called the Sky Hawks with the Maple Leaf insignia on the chutes) did some beautifully executed maneuvers on their way down to the area behind the stage to the oohs and aahs of the crowd.

An F-18 (or F14?) jet did a low pass circling the crowd and to a thunderous, standing ovation. In fact, everytime the armed forces of both Canada and the US were mentioned, either by citing the the fact that the concert was being broadcast to them or by messages of solidarity with them by the performers, the crowd responded enthusiastically and passionately. (I doubt that will be mentioned in the media!)

You'll see a lot written about how friendly and neighbourly the crowd was. It's all true. The only down note was when some of the crowd was disrespectful to Justin Timberlake, but as I watched the really young kids (aged +/- 10) dancing and rocking to him I was glad he came. There really was something for everyone.

When the crowd was urged to hold their fingers up in a peace sign to the Beatles song "Revolution" a surprisingly large number of people got the political message and pointedly saw down with their hands firmly in their laps.

People listen to their guts, not a group of people commonly perceived as the neediest in the world when it comes to public approval and lurve. Just my opnion.

Norman Jewison came on stage and showed a filmed tribute to Canada on the big screens. The crowds cheered their lustiest for two shots of Mike Meyers: Toronto loves Mike as much because he's a native son as because he came through for Toronto when the sagging tourist industry threatened the fiscal health of the city.

The crowd was terrific for all of the acts (with the one exception) but the younger folks got a big education when the Isley Brothers came on stage. Most of the younger crowd had never even heard of them; at first the ones cheering and dancing were us boomers, but the brothers came through with pure soul and quickly won over the youngsters (heh).

I swear to God sometimes I think the younger kids think my generation listened to the Beatles and Stones and then we switched over to Frank Sinatra type music. Well, we didn't. We'll never be too old to rock and roll, and we are way too young to die.

AC/DC proved an impossibly tough act to follow. I can't find the words to describe how electric and energizing they are. They were indeed TNT, and as tired as everyone was there was no way anyone could sit.

The Stones were great once they got going. There is this love affair between Keith Richards and Toronto that even Mick Jagger can't compete with. Keith said a few words expressing his sorrow that Toronto has been hit so hard that brought tears to our eyes. I don't know why Keith loves Toronto, he could think "those bastards busted me," but the affection he feels for us is as genuine as the affection Toronto feels for him. He's an amazing man.

Food sales were down, especially chicken burgers (damned straight we all ate beef) mostly because it was too damned hot to eat. Yesterday was the only day (including today) these past weeks when there wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sun was remorseless, but that's why they make hats and sunscreen.

As the sun finally set we were urged to put mosquito repellent on. I don't think anyone bothered; you've got 10 layers already of sunscreen and sweat and now you're going to dig through your bag to put more stuff on? Sure. No one around me did it either, and once again the people were right. We mock thee, West Nile. And, for whatever reason, there wasn't a single mosquito to be found on the field.

There's a pretty comprehensive news and analysis round-up at The Stones Rock Toronto if you want.

UPDATE: I had mispelt "Isley" and corrected it. Sigh. See what happens when you rock all night long?

Posted by: Debbye at 09:08 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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