In my novel Kiss the Sky, each chapter begins with a song. Over the course of the book, I compile a 91 song playlist that parallels the mood and story of the main character, Sophie “Sky” Lee, a black rock musician trying to make it in New York at the turn of the Millennium. I’ll blog a song from the playlist each day until the playlist is complete. Enjoy.

The Story Behind the Song….. Chapter 12: The Rolling Stones, “Sympathy for the Devil”

“Oh babies. There are so many of you. Just be cool down there in front and don’t push around.”

That’s what Mick Jagger says at the start of this live clip from the infamous show at Altamont, during which a man named Meredith Hunter was killes by Hells Angels hired as security guards during the Stones’ set. From that set: film of 1969 Altamont Speedway performance of “Sympathy for the Devil.”