The Rolling Stones have long acknowledged their fascination with and reverence for Chicago’s storied blues history.
Turns out they’ve been keeping up with the city’s whirlwind political scene, too.
Midway through their sold-out show at Soldier Field Friday night, Mick Jagger saluted the new mayor — and took a jab at the most notorious alderman in the City Council.
“I want to welcome Lori Lightfoot... I’m sorry Ed Burke couldn’t make it tonight,” cracked Jagger, whose iconic band formed in 1962, seven years before Burke began his 50-year-plus reign in the 14th Ward.
Mick Jagger: “I want to welcome Lori Lightfoot...I’m sorry Ed Burke couldn’t make it tonight.”
— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) June 22, 2019
Seriously. He just said that.
♂️ pic.twitter.com/Rr4KdReaOj
It’s not Jagger’s first foray into Illinois politics. Last year, he sent a letter to state representatives urging them to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.
The legendary singer didn’t offer further analysis of the federal indictment hanging over Burke’s head, but fans on social media noted that Jagger did his homework on a couple other Chicago staples, too.
He joked that even though the band has played in Chicago 38 times over the last 55 years, he’s never had an Italian beef — “wet or dry” — and he’s never taken a shot of the cringeworthy local liquor Malort.
Lightfoot wasn’t at the concert, but she later tweeted that she hopes to be at Soldier Field on Tuesday when the Stones return for another show.
Thanks for the shout out, @mickjagger. Wasn’t at your show last night, but hope to be there next Tuesday. Welcome to Chicago! https://t.co/1HNeKF9VOG
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) June 22, 2019
No word on whether Jagger plans to call out any of the other (at least) three sitting alderman currently facing scrutiny from federal investigators.
But you couldn’t blame Jagger if he’s had trouble keeping track of all the Chicago politicians who have found themselves in the crosshairs of the feds. Thirty-five alderman have been convicted since 1973 — nearly a decade after the Stones’ first-ever Chicago show.
