For 40 years, The Rolling Stones have been making and performing music of epic proportions. In 2004, their legend earned them Rolling Stone Magazine's #4 ranking in "The Immortals: Top 100 Artists of All Time." Defining much of what it means to be a rock 'n' roll band, The Rolling Stones refuse to leave on any other terms than their own. Millions of people have turned out to see The Stones perform in what many believed would be their last tour, only to say the same for the next! The Stones just keep on rolling and entertaining millions of people across the world.

Yet, the rolling will inevitably stop. Every one of the four main band members is in his sixties—some looking significantly older than others—and the visible signs of aging are becoming more prominent. The truth of the matter is that Mick, Keith, Ronny and Charlie are not immortal, and one day the time will come when The Rolling Stones hang 'em up.

Martin Scorsese responded to this inevitable finitude by intimately documenting some of the greatest musical entertainers of all time. His film, Shine A Light, is a pure and unrestrained tribute to what The Rolling Stones do best: play music. The footage was captured during a two-day charity event at The Beacon Theater in New York City.

The Rolling Stones have had a career filled with controversy and drama, perfect for a more traditional documentary, and most filmmakers would be tempted to conform to these more conventional forms of filmmaking. But Shine A Light refuses such methods and allows the band the opportunity to speak the way they communicate best. Scorsese remained true to this objective, even when the band created a set list the day of the show—something out of an organized filmmaker's nightmare. However, Scorsese is no novice to concert documentation and working with rockstars. His 1978 film, The Last Waltz, followed the farewell performance of The Band. In both this film and Shine A Light, Scorsese seems to heed his abilities to documenting the art of talented musicians.

After watching Mick prance, skip, thrust, and romp his way around stage for two hours one thing becomes evident: he is in the moment. Some call him unpredictable; others call him a true free spirit. However you chose to label Mick Jagger you have to appreciate his commitment to each show and to entertaining those who come out each night. His stage presence and charisma are bar-none. Above all, it is evident he loves his job. In fact, I doubt he has ever called it that.

Shine A Light subtly praises the longevity and humility of The Rolling Stones. One of only several clips from previous Rolling Stones interviews was one with Mick Jagger two years into their career. He was asked to guess how long the Stones would be making music together, to which he replied, "I truthfully never thought we'd make it big anyway&ellips; I think we have at least one more year, I don't know after that." Another clip that Scorsese inserted was a more recent interview with Keith Richards. Here Keith was asked who was the better guitar player between him and Ronny. He responds by saying, "We both aren't very good, but I do know that together we are better than any other ten guitarists." In a day where ego and pride is synonymous with musicians and rock 'n' roll, The Rolling Stones have set a precedent that no one part is greater than the whole. Though the Stones have dealt with their share of turmoil, the fact that four of them remain band-mates says something about their devotion to each other.

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