The Rolling Stones are taking special care to notes where its playing as part of the "Zip Code" tour, and the band marked its performance in Columbus, OH by playing the state's official rock song, "Hang On Sloopy." The track was especially relevant considering the venue, Ohio Stadium, home to the Ohio State University football team, whose fans raucously sing the song whenever given the chance.
"Hang On Sloopy," popularized by The McCoys, was made the official rock song of the state during 1985, however the Stones had plenty of experience with the track, playing it live during the band's early years on the road. This marked the first time in nearly five decades that the group had dusted off the song however. The stadium, packing "only" 50,000 attendees that night, responded as Buckeye fans traditionally do, by chanting "O-H-I-O" every time Mick Jagger sang the title line.
Columbus natives tend to prefer Cleveland sports franchises (although the NFL Browns are often ignored in deference to the Buckeyes), and all three professional sports teams in the northern city—the Indians, Browns and Cavaliers—play "Hang On Sloopy" as part of festivities (Cincinnati, on the Southern border of the state, doesn't hold "Sloopy" as dear).
That said, the Stones made sure to show some love to other universities within the state. The band brought the acclaimed Ohio University Singers (from nearby Athens) onstage to assist with encore track "You Can't Always Get What You Want."
The Rolling Stones will keep things in the Big-10 as they head to TCF Bank Stadium—home of the University of Minnesota—in Minneapolis for its next show on June 3. The state song for that region is "Hail! Minnesota"...which might be tougher to present for a rock 'n' roll crowd. All we can do is hope for a Prince guest-spot?
Editor's Note: Ryan Book is an OSU alumni and non-Cleveland native.
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