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Rolling Stones rule Perth Arena

Too old? Nope, too good. That was the verdict as the Rolling Stones played their first Perth gig in nearly 20 years.

Trademark tongue logos and 50-plus years of classic licks ruled Perth Arena as the coolest teenagers the wrong side of retirement age rolled up for the second date of their rescheduled 14 On Fire tour.

The Human Riff, better known as Keith Richards, started up the 13,500-strong crowd with the unmistakable, diamond-encrusted opening to Start Me Up.

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Looking flash in a purple jacket with tiger-print lapels, Mick Jagger was a jumping jack out front.

Richards and fellow guitarist Ronnie Wood traded riffs and unflappable drummer (and Justin Langer's best friend) Charlie Watts kept time alongside the Stones' accomplished touring band.

From the get-go last night’s performance was a gas, gas, gas – that’s baby boomer slang for amazeballs, kids.

The Stones’ time machine spun back to 1965 for a rocking blast through Get Off Of My Cloud before racing forward a decade for It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It).

Truer words were never sang.



Fans welcomed every lick, every cymbal crash and every half-coherent exhortation from Jagger (“Fangoo vermuch”), as the rubber-hipped great-grandfather working the stage tirelessly in front of his rock millionaire mates.

Jagger joked that the band were staying in a "motel in Dog Swamp" and "waiting on their drinks invitation from Gina Rinehart".

Honky Tonk Women and Exile on Main Street favourite Tumbling Dice were early standouts amongst the all-time rock classics.

After recent single Doom and Gloom reminded fans they still write a decent rock tune, the Stones played blazing Sticky Fingers-era cut Bitch as voted by fans from five potential tunes on the band’s website.

The legends plucked songs from every decade of their incomparable career.



The oldest song the Stones roll out on this tour is also their best.

(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction was recorded in 1965, not long after the band played their first shows in Perth at the now defunct Capitol Theatre.

The Rolling Stones have toured WA twice since then, hitting the WACA in 1973 and Perry Lakes Stadium in 1995.

Their touring line-up has barely changed since their previous visit (apart from saxophonist Bobby Keys, who is missing due to illness), which at the time The West Australian reviewer Ron Banks predicted would be their last.

After being announced and going on sale in December, the 14 On Fire tour has not been without drama.



In March, the iconic band was in Perth when Jagger’s girlfriend fashion designer L’Wren Scott died.

The tour was sensibly called off the day it was supposed to start.

Promoter Michael Gudinski rescheduled the concerts, adding a second Perth show.

But last night, finally, the greatest rock’n’roll band of all-time was here for what could be the last time, maybe the last time, I don’t know.



No one does, apart from the four geezers rocking out on stage - long may they roll.

The Rolling Stones play again at the Arena on Saturday.