The Rolling Stones performed throughout New York tri-state area in October, 2002 and it was a roller coaster ride from start to finish (and beyond). I had a ticket to the Giants Stadium show, but on the night of the Madison Square Garden date I decided last minute to travel into NYC with a plan to attempt and “trade” my Giants Stadium ticket for an MSG ticket. It was getting close to showtime and I made my way into the arena to the interior line at the turnstiles where they check your ticket. It was pretty backed up when the Pretenders were heard hitting the stage and the impatient group awaiting entry rushed forward and just stormed passed the ticket taker into the arena- myself included with only my Giants Stadium ticket in hand. Extraordinarily, I managed to enter the Garden to see the Stones without a ticket, which would be unimaginable in the present day environment. Since I still possessed an untouched Rolling Stones ticket for Giants Stadium, I also attended that concert, although I do not have any specific recollections other than being there in New Jersey. The Hartford Civic Center Rolling Stones concert took place on Saturday, October 5, 2002 and for that road trip I was accompanied by my lifelong buddy Eric. We planned ahead to try and stay out of trouble; rented a hotel room walking distance from the arena with no driving required. We got to Hartford early and we made the most of it, hitting the local taverns nearby the venue. The Stones set list that tour was epic, and we were unbelievably all 21 years younger than today, At some point Eric and I got separated during and after the concert and we reconvened back at the hotel room hours later. The chain of events that occurred from the concert on are legendary, and somewhat infamous, but at the end of the day, despite some unfortunate unforeseen circumstances that transpired, things ultimately worked out for me with a little help from my friends.
The Rolling Stones are back on tour in May, 2024; my wife and I will see them at New Orleans Jazz Fest, my daughter and son in law will catch the event at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.
Can’t Find My Way Home
Hackney Diamonds
Rock on!
GQ