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Tucson, Arizona hosted The Rolling Stones on July 21, 1978, and they brought their explosive energy. One of the highlights of the band’s 1978 US tour was the concert at the Community Center. An additional layer of magic was given to the evening with a special guest appearance by Linda Ronstadt, who performed Tumbling Dice with the band. Thousands of fans attended the show, which was a huge success. Nevertheless, there were allegations of damage and arrests outside the arena due to the commotion caused by the strong demand for tickets. For those fortunate enough to attend, the concert itself was a fantastic experience, despite the initial chaos.
July 21, 1978: Community Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA (The Rolling Stones U.S. Tour 1978) Let It Rock/All Down The Line/Honky Tonk Women/Star Star/When The Whip Comes Down/Beast Of Burden/Lies/Miss You/Just My Imagination/Shattered/Respectable/Far Away Eyes/Love In Vain/ Tumbling Dice/Happy/Sweet Little Sixteen/Brown Sugar *With guest Linda Ronstadt on Tumbling Dice Read: Tales from the Morgue: The Rolling Stones in Tucson(from Tucson.com)
When Tucson Went Stones Crazy in ’78
On July 21, 1978, The Rolling Stones brought their explosive Some Girlstour to the Tucson Community Center in Arizona, but the excitement had reached fever pitch long before the band stepped onstage. Demand for tickets was overwhelming, with thousands of fans camping out overnight for a chance to buy one of just 8,000 available seats, each priced at only $10. The atmosphere became so intense that organizers opened ticket sales two hours ahead of schedule, yet the entire allocation still disappeared in only 45 minutes. It was clear that Tucson wasn’t simply hosting another concert—it was preparing for one of the year’s biggest rock events.
By the evening of the show, crowds gathered outside the venue, exhausted after hours in the Arizona heat but buzzing with anticipation. Despite the occasional party atmosphere, the mood remained largely friendly. Inside, the band enjoyed an impressive backstage spread featuring shrimp, ribs, beef tenderloin, chicken, and plenty of champagne. Mick Jagger even wandered out to greet a few lucky fans, signing tickets before returning backstage.
Linda Ronstadt Makes Rolling Stones History
Opening act Etta James delivered a powerful performance that earned enthusiastic applause, but everyone knew who the night’s main attraction was. The moment the Stones appeared, the Tucson Community Center erupted as the band launched into another high-energy performance during one of their finest tours.
The evening became truly unforgettable when Tucson native Linda Ronstadt joined Mick Jagger onstage for a fiery version of Tumbling Dice. Having recently scored a hit with her own recording of the song the previous year on her 1977 album Simple Dreams, Ronstadt’s appearance felt perfectly timed. More importantly, it marked a historic first: she became the first female singer ever to perform live with The Rolling Stones, creating one of the most memorable guest appearances of the band’s career.
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