Cuba outlawed them. Argentina worships them.
This is a highly underrated doc on The Stones. And it’s the best doc I’ve seen on a Latin American tour of a rock band.
It’s like “Almost Famous” meets “Buena Vista Social Club” (which I rated 96/100!).
Trailer for “The Rolling Stones: Olé Olé Olé!”
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Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 79/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Release Date: September 16, 2016
My Review of “The Rolling Stones: Olé Olé Olé!”
The Setup
“The Rolling Stones: Olé Olé Olé! – A Trip Across Latin America” is a 105-minute doc on The Stones’ 2016 tour through ten Latin American countries, leading up to their historic free concert in Havana, Cuba.
The film blends concert footage with cultural deep dives, showing how the band’s music was once banned in places like Argentina and Cuba, yet became a symbol of rebellion.
Director’s Note: It’s directed by Paul Dugdale (also known for “The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon,” “Adele: Live at the Royal Albert Hall,” “Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams,” and “Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour”). It
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- The final concert drew over 500,000 people. Many attendees had never seen a live rock show before (let alone The Stones!).
More Highlights from the Doc
- The Rolling Stones were considered a threat in several Latin American countries. During Argentina’s military dictatorship (1976-1983), rock music—especially from British bands—was viewed as subversive. Fans had to smuggle in bootleg cassettes.
- Cuba had never hosted a rock concert of this scale. The government had spent decades suppressing rock music, labeling it counter-revolutionary. Fans had to hide their Stones records, listening in secret.
- The Havana concert almost didn’t happen. Organizers scrambled to set it up while the Cuban government hesitated to approve it. Complicating things further, President Obama visited Cuba the same week, creating security lockdowns that delayed equipment shipments.
- Argentine “Rolingas”—the Stones superfans. In Buenos Aires, entire neighborhoods are devoted to the band. Fans dress like Mick Jagger, wear Stones tattoos, and follow them religiously. One fan describes selling his car just to afford concert tickets.
- Mick Jagger works the crowd in Spanish. He doesn’t just say “Hola”—he customizes his banter for each country. In Buenos Aires, he jokes, “Están listos para bailar?” (“Are you ready to dance?”). In Mexico, he says, “Esta canción es sobre drogas… como la Ciudad de México,” before launching into “Honky Tonk Women”. Fans eat it up.
- Keith Richards’ hilarious off-stage moment. At one point, Keith is lounging with a cigar and says, “Man, we should do this tour again backwards… end in Chile, start in Cuba, so I remember it this time.” Classic Keith.
- Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts visit a tango club. In Argentina, they go to a traditional milonga. Ronnie attempts some dance moves, but Charlie, ever the quiet one, just smiles and sips his drink.
- The Havana concert’s insane setup. The band had to ship in their own stage, sound system, and lights because Cuba didn’t have the infrastructure for a show this size. The government was so unprepared that they ran out of hotel rooms, forcing crew members to sleep in makeshift dorms.
Cameos
- Cuban rock musicians. The film features interviews with local artists who discuss the difficulty of playing rock under Castro’s regime. Some recall being arrested just for growing their hair long or wearing Stones T-shirts.
- Music journalists and historians. They explain how The Rolling Stones’ music spread underground in the ’60s and ’70s, becoming a symbol of resistance.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Charlie Watts’ classic deadpan humor. When asked about the band’s longevity, he shrugs and says, “It’s been a long week… or 50 years. Same thing.”
- Jagger’s behind-the-scenes energy. While rehearsing “Midnight Rambler”, he jumps around, shadow-boxes, and shouts, “Let’s go, let’s go!” like a football coach.
- Cuban authorities’ last-minute nerves. Days before the concert, officials debated whether to impose crowd limits. The Stones refused, insisting the concert remain free and open.
- Keith Richards’ pre-show ritual. Backstage, he swigs Jack Daniel’s straight from the bottle and says, “Alright, let’s make some trouble.” Then he walks onstage.
- The band’s parting words in Havana. After playing “Satisfaction”, Jagger shouts in Spanish, “Cuba libre!”—a phrase with both political and rock & roll meanings.
Wrap Up
This is more than a concert film—it’s a look at how rock music can survive and thrive under oppression. “Olé Olé Olé!” captures The Rolling Stones not just as rock legends, but as a band that still connects with fans on a deeply personal level, even in countries where their music was once banned.
If you love music history, Latin American culture, or just want to see Mick, Keith, Ronnie, and Charlie at their best, this is a must-watch.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc