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More than 30,000 people packed WSU's Cessna Stadium Oct. 1 for what turned out to be the largest concert in Wichita history featuring the legendary Rolling Stones.

Photo by Jason Squires/liveconcertpics.com Mick Jagger, with guitarist Keith Richards and drummer Charlie Watts in the background, perform "It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It)" in one of the opening songs of the Oct. 1 concert that was part of the Rolling Stones' Bigger Bang Tour.

Before the fireworks that started the show could be shot, however, it took more than 140 "beasts of burden" – trucks and semis loaded with 1 million pounds of steel and other necessary equipment – and more than 75 steel workers to erect the Rolling Stones concert stage.

WSU employees and students were able to watch the progress, as cranes crafted the 204-foot-wide, eight-story-tall concert stage on the Cessna Stadium field. Work started on Wednesday, Sept. 27, and caused a slight parking inconvenience as the semis and other vehicles took over part of a parking lot south of the stadium. What took days to build came down in less than 48 hours earlier this week.

One of the WSU employees who got an even closer look at the progress was telecommunications technician Joey Hutto, who was assigned to help install the extra phone lines required to stage the concert. He had access to the dressing rooms and even got within 15 feet of Mick Jagger – although several large security guards stood between Hutto and the Stones – lead singer.

"It was a really cool experience and probably the biggest thing to come to WSU," said Hutto.

Among the other employees who got a closer look were additional telecommunications staff and

Compiled by Amy Geiszler-Jones.

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