Back in April 2016, I heard that The Stones had opened a retrospective in London called Exhibitionism. I immediately checked my schedule and started trying to find my way to London, but unfortunately, I couldn’t make it happen. Once I heard that they were planning on taking the show on the road I once again tried to cross paths with the 17 trucks containing over 500 artifacts documenting my favorite band – once again it was in vain.
The stars finally aligned for me in October 2017 when enroute to Las Vegas for a show of my own, I learned that the exhibit tour was making a stop at The Palazzo in fabulous Las Vegas (it previously wasn’t shown on the tour schedule).
I had extremely lofty expectations for this exhibit, as I am somewhat of a historian on the Stones. It did not disappoint, this was my mecca. I could write an entire essay on the guitars, recording equipment, stage costumes, the back-stage area mock up and of course the 3D stage experience. It was all mesmerizing. The highlight for me, however, was the mock up of the small Chelsey flat that a young Mick and Keith shared with Brian Jones. Having read every Stones biography ever written, I’ve often had a picture in my mind of what that flat might have looked like, and the incredible detail put in to this was magnificent (right down to the dirty dishes in the sink). It was like being transported back in time and given exclusive access to the start of rock and roll lore.
