By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 10, 2002
Tickets are so pricey that most of us won’t be able to spend any night together with the Rolling Stones. But if you keep your eyes peeled, you may be just a stone’s throw from one of the band members. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts love Chicago and have a history of exploring the best it has to offer.
Chicago filmmaker Stephen Andrzejewski, who shot a behind-the-scenes commercial with them the last time they were in Chicago, had a bird’s-eye view of the band in action.
“I’ve seen all of their tours since 1978 and had a wonderful time spending some time with them,” he says. “Mick was a little untouchable, but all the other guys were as friendly as could be.”
The Stones won’t be feasting on fare from their usual local caterer, Debra Sharpe’s Eat Your Heart Out. They’ve gone with a Canadian firm. Thanks to the exchange rate, it’ll cost them half as much as hiring the Chicagoans.
On their last tour, the band eschewed limousines for vans. Expect them to do the same this time around. Jagger and his bodyguard have one van to themselves. “There were four vans total last time,” says Andrzejewski. “Keith, Ron and Charlie piled into one van and were almost sitting on each other’s laps. Mick went into his own. They put a little stool for him to step on, threw a blanket on him and then off he went.”
The Stones like to hear the blues when they’re in town. Sugar Blue, who has performed with them many times, is playing Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at Rosa’s. It’s likely at least some band members will check him out. Jagger likes Kingston Mines.
When it comes to restaurants, Rush Street is always promising. Tavern on Rush, Gibson’s and Le Colonial are all band favorites.
