Reading all this SOS moaning I have to say I wish I could hear Mark play a gig without a single DS song - that would be an experience! Never could understand that SOS obsession.
It's not obsession, SOS is a milestone in Mark's career. It's like McCartney gig without Yesterday (and I don't like this song, to be honest ).
I'm with the ones who thinks that sultans "has to" be played
BUT, on the other hand :
- I'm not sure that Yesterday is played at every Macca's gig or tour, well I don't think so
- I'm not sure that Born to run or Born in the USA is played at every Bruce's gig or tour, well I don't think so
- there were plenty of Stones' tours without Satisfaction or without paint it black or without....
- there were several EC's tours without Layla (just one night) or without cocaine (latest tours I think)
- I saw Santana in 93 : no Europa
- I saw Mr Bob in 93 (ok not really a significative example) : no like a rolling stone, no Tambourine man, no blowin in the wind, no heaven's door...
I guess there a lot more examples...
BUT on the other other hand
:
- I'm quite sure that la grange is played at every ZZ top's gig
- I can't imagine a Purple gig without smoke on the water
- has Phil Collins ever done a gig without playing In the air tonight ? (I don't think so, but not sure)
- if you exclude The wall tour (which was a special tour), all other floyd/ waters/gilmour tours had the classics in the set
- not sure, but I don't think that Led zep did a show without whole lotta a love or stairway (after 1971 of course)
and I guess there a lot more examples too
IMHO, I would put MK/sultans in the 2nd category, but it's just MHO