The Rolling Stones are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a photo book, HBO documentary and what everyone was hoping for; reunion shows. The band recently spoke with Rolling Stone magazine about the anniversary and upcoming shows for a feature that will be published in the November 8th issue. Before you get your hands on it and sit down for a lengthy read, here are five points you need to know about:
1. The Tour Won’t Stop At Four: The Stones have only four shows scheduled: November 25 and 29 and the O2 Arena in London, and December 13 and 15 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. But those shows won’t be the end of it, according to Keith Richards. “My experience with the Rolling Stones,” he says, “is that once the juggernaut starts rolling, it ain’t gonna stop. So without sort of saying definitely yes – yeah. We ain’t doing all this for four gigs!”
2. Daryl Jones Is Staying Put: Along with guitarist Mick Taylor, longtime bassist Bill Wyman is expected to join the Stones for their reunion shows. But with Wyman absent since 1993, the band refuses to forget about their touring bassist Darryl Jones, who has been their touring bassist all that time. “Darryl doesn’t get enough recognition,” says Richards. “He and Bill can talk about songs they want to step in and out of.”
3. $800 A Ticket Is Fair: Eight hundred bucks or more for a ticket to see the Rolling Stones? Sounds outrageous, huh? The band doesn’t think so. Only half way through rehearsals, the band has already spent over a million dollars and the stage setup is expected to cost several million itself. “I’d pay it!” said Wood.
4. “No Apology, No Reunion”: Richards made some defaming remarks about longtime songwriting partner Jagger in his memoir Life, even taking shots at his manhood. Richards apologized, Jagger accepted. Good thing, because without it the reunion wouldn’t have happened. “He did apologize, to my face,” says Jagger. “So you have to put all that sort of stuff away. Water under the bridge, really.” Richards also noted that relationships have their bumps in the road, especially those lasting a half century. And sometimes, there’s more to think about than just yourself. “We can’t get divorced – we’re doing it for the kids!”
5. New Album? Mum’s The Word: The 50th anniversary, a tour; all of these things inevitably lead to one question: Will the Rolling Stones get back into the studio for a new album? Jagger is hopeful, but won’t reveal anything just yet, stating “That’s not a card, in my opinion, that should be played.” Sounds better than a “NO.”
– EJ Judge, WCBS-FM
