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June 3, 2014: The Rolling Stones’ Historic Visit to Jerusalem
Rock stars are supposed to spend their days backstage, dodging interviews and conserving energy before a big show. Not The Rolling Stones. With 50,000 fans waiting in Tel Aviv, the band decided to squeeze in a little sightseeing and headed straight for one of the world’s most famous landmarks: Jerusalem’s Western Wall. The visit offered a rare glimpse of Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, and Chuck Leavell away from the stage and into a moment far removed from amplifiers and spotlights. It was an unexpected stop that added another memorable chapter to the story of The Rolling Stones and their first-ever trip to Israel.
Even though their concert in Tel Aviv was still more than a day away, the Stones took some time off on in the afternoon of the Tuesday, June 3 to visit Jerusalem’s Western Wall, a must-see attraction for any foreign traveler. The Stones’ private plane, which was decorated with the band’s name and logo, had landed in Israel on Monday night. The band’s first trip to Israel came before a highly anticipated performance for 50,000 fans on Wednesday night at Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park. Charlie, Ronnie and Chuck Leavell were all present to witness Judaism’s holiest site; Leavell was even captured in a photo putting a note at the Kotel as is customary while wearing a kipa.
Mick Jagger’s Mediterranean Adventure and a Caesarea Mix-Up
As for Mick, he reportedly took some time to explore Israel’s Mediterranean coast during the Rolling Stones’ 2014 visit, making a stop at the ancient Roman ruins in Caesarea. He shared a photo of himself standing among the ruins, with the Caesarea power plant visible in the distance—a mix of ancient history and modern industry. While there, Jagger referred to the site’s famed Herodian theater as an “amphitheater.” Though a common slip, it’s a bit surprising coming from someone so familiar with concert venues. Technically, an amphitheater is a fully circular or oval structure, like the one Pink Floyd famously used for their live performance in Pompeii in 1972. Still, the moment offered a rare and human glimpse of the legendary frontman enjoying a bit of sightseeing before hitting the stage.
About 1,000 fans flew in on Monday for Wednesday’s show. The band rolled into town with a 70-person entourage, over 100 crew members, and plenty of guests. Israeli TV dubbed it the “Rolling Stones airlift.” Despite calls from activists and fellow musicians to postpone the much-hyped concert, the Stones went ahead with it.
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