Watch the Rolling Stones Cover Beatles’ ‘Come Together’ at Desert Trip
The Rolling Stones closed out the opening night of the all-star Desert Trip festival in Indio, California with a greatest-hits set that featured a few surprises, including the rock legends’ first ever attempt covering the Beatles‘ “Come Together.”
“This may be strange to you now. We’re gonna do a cover song of a sort of unknown beat group,” Mick Jagger told the crowd before the surprise rendition of the Abbey Road opener. “I think you might remember [them], we’re gonna try a cover of one of their tunes.”
The Stones faithfully ran through the Beatles cut, offering up a bluesy take on the oft-covered classic complete with an extended guitar solo courtesy of Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards.
Earlier in the set, the Stones dusted off their updated rendition of the blues classic “Ride ‘Em on Down,” marking the first time the group had performed the song live since 1962. The Stones’ upcoming blues covers album Blue & Lonesome features the band’s studio take of that track.
After unearthing “Mixed Emotions” at a Las Vegas warm-up gig earlier in the week, the Stones also brought the Steel Wheels track to Desert Trip, making it only the second time since 1990 that the Stones played that song live.
Desert Trip continues Saturday night with sets by Neil Young and Paul McCartney.