On December 12th, The Rolling Stones released a movie/concert/documentary that played for one night in theaters nationwide. The film highlighted the band’s trip across Latin America in the spring of 2016. They played nine shows in countries which included Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Mexico.
The tenth show, and the pinnacle of the film, was their history making performance in Havana, Cuba. The documentary followed closely the challenges and political obstacles of bringing one of Rock and Roll’s globally known icons to a dictatorial island in the caribbean. It was interesting to see behind the scenes of the management of The Rolling Stones and how their interaction with Raul Castro played out.
It took months of careful planning, pulling the right strings, and talking to the right people to pull the show off, but it happened.
The movie also focused on the local culture and music of each city The Rolling Stones visited. It was very intriguing to see Mick Jagger or Keith Richards dance and sing along with a tribal group in the middle of nowhere in South America.
The band would go out and connect with people and their musical heritage before their massive show. It was empowering to see some of the greatest rock stars being down to Earth and humble, sharing their passion for music with everyone they came into contact with.
The show in Havana closed the series of concerts in an epic fashion. Practically all of Havana was in the vicinity of the free show. It was a monumental time for the Cuban community, as Rock N’ Roll had been banned in the 1960s. There were interviews with people who had been arrested by the communist government for listening to the Stones in the 60’s.
For those same people to be able to go to a free concert of the band they were punished for, it was incredible. I can only imagine the energy and vibe in Havana as The Rolling Stones played “Satisfaction” to close the night.
Overall, I really enjoyed this project and the concept that drove it into reality. The personal connection to the band I felt when watching was genuine and quite special. The film was unique and unlike anything I’ve experienced in the past. I have nothing but praise for The Rolling Stones and “Ole Ole Ole.”
