Unlike the usual reviews related to movies and albums, this time I want to draw your attention to what I consider the most significant photo of this 2021 in its final stretch. It is the group photo (or selfie) taken last November backstage at the Rolling Stones concert in Las Vegas, where both Mick Jagger and the four members of Maneskin, the famous Italian rock band that preceded the performance of the English band, can be seen. In my opinion, it's a significant photo as it marks a turning point not only for the two musical groups but also for rock in general. And I will briefly explain the reasons for this statement.
First of all, it's worth shelving any witty remarks about what you see, such as "four young people accompanied by a sprightly granddad at a rock concert." This is simply because in the photographic field, there's a guy named Mick Jagger, the frontman of a group that has massively contributed to the growth and maturation of rock itself. Sure, his face is wrinkled and a few years ago Mick had a bit of a heart problem, but if he's still taking the stage today, it must mean something (hopefully, I can reach his age as well as he has...). Moreover, this year has been a blow (and not just for them) due to the death of the skilled drummer Charlie Watts, a member since the band's early days. Alas, time passes and the best way to remember him is to continue holding concerts, especially now as we try to cope with the pandemic that spread from 2020 onwards and which had hindered live show productions.
It has been a tough year for many (not just for the Rolling Stones), but it's also worth mentioning that the Italian rock band Maneskin has had its share of achievements. First, they took the top spot at the Sanremo Festival, then they won the top prize at Eurofestival, and finally found themselves opening the Rolling Stones concerts in the USA. For four Italian rockers who started quietly a few years ago on the streets of Rome, it's no small feat. And never mind if someone like Al Bano, in a recent interview with Corriere della Sera, argued that he was the first Italian to perform before the Rolling Stones in concert in 1967. It's a misplaced note considering that year marked the first time the English band played in Italy, while today the Italian Maneskin are performing at a Rolling Stones concert in the USA, receiving applause both from critics and the audience. A significant difference that evidently escapes the provincial Al Bano (is he perhaps famous in the Anglo-American market too?).
Upon closely examining the photo, I spontaneously came to the conclusion that it represents a kind of passing the baton between bands of different ages. On one side, an English group that first performed live in 1962 (when I was wearing shorts and had to go to kindergarten, for heaven's sake...) and who declined rock in a bluesy way. On the other, a vibrant Italian rock band worthy of the name, with energetic sound and subtle glam nuances. And capable of confirming that rock never dies, so much so that like the phoenix, it seems doomed but rises stronger than ever from its ashes.
Sure, it remains to be seen if Maneskin, taking the baton from those who have been in the game for almost 60 years and will unlikely continue for other decades, can prove themselves up to the challenging task. We'll just have to find out by living and possibly reflecting on it in a few decades (God willing...). And anyway, this is indeed a story that makes us say: LONG LIVE ROCK!
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