On March 4th and 5th, 1977, The Rolling Stones played two unannounced shows at the El Mocambo Club in Toronto, Canada. The club had a capacity of 300, and the gigs were “secret,”with winners of a contest invited to see Canadian rock band April Wine with support from a group called “the Cockroaches,” who were actually the Stones. Earlier that week on February 27th, Keith Richards was busted for possession of 26 grams of heroin by the Mounties in his Toronto hotel room… leaving him staring at 7 years in prison.
There was a rumor that Ms. Trudeau was intimate with one of the Stones during the Mocambo Gigs. The rumor no longer persists, due to Ron Wood’s website, where he admitted that he was indeed intimate with Ms. Trudeau.
In 2022 much to the delight of their patient fans, the Rolling Stones officially released a 23-song cd from culled from those two gigs which is “arguably the best live release from the Ron Wood years.” (*It should be noted that four of the songs from the El Mocambo were officially released previously on their double-live LP, “Love You Live.”)
Songs performed by the Stones at the El Mocambo in 1977:
March 4 Set list
- Route 66
- Honky Tonk Women
- Hand of Fate
- Fool to Cry
- Crazy Mama(Live premiere)
- Crackin’ Up
- Around and Around
- Melody(Live premiere)
- Star Star
- Worried About You(Live premiere)
- Let’s Spend the Night Together
- Little Red Rooster
- Luxury
- Brown Sugar
- Jumpin’ Jack Flash
March 5 Set list
- Honky Tonk Women
- All Down the Line
- Hand of Fate
- Route 66
- Fool to Cry
- Crazy Mama
- Mannish Boy
- Crackin’ Up
- Dance Little Sister
- Around and Around
- Tumbling Dice
- Happy
- Hot Stuff
- Star Star
- Worried About You
- Let’s Spend the Night Together
- Worried Life Blues
- It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
- Rip This Joint
- Little Red Rooster
- Luxury
- Brown Sugar
- Jumpin’ Jack Flash
*There was a rumor that Ms. Trudeau was intimate with one of the Stones during the Mocambo Gigs. The rumor no longer persists, due to Ron Wood’s website, where he admitted that he was indeed intimate with Ms. Trudeau.
Diana
July 9, 2024 at 11:04 am
It’s obvious that Mr. Emperor is a die-hard Stones fan. To collect those pictures and video are evidence enough but to jot down the songs down in order of performance take this to another level.
“The Cockroaches” —It’s fascinating that this multi million dollar band did impromptu performances is pretty wild.
What other secrets can you share? Hmmmm?
Liza
July 9, 2024 at 11:05 am
So I’m gonna ask a question that everyone has in their minds but dare not ask — is that a sock in Mick’s pants?
Kevin
July 9, 2024 at 11:09 am
Please explain the fascination with the Stones. All I hear are noises. And the lead eats his words half of the time. Growing up in the 70s I’ve seen short videos of theirs and I really don’t get it. Is it because they aren’t polished like ELO or Queen? Is it because they’re like the Grateful Dead where no performance is ever the same? What is it?