Short News

Depp documents keith

Yup! There's something going on with Johnny and Keith. As to The Playlist, Johnny revealed his plans during an interview with Serbian magazine Politika.

Johnny said: "Now that I'm wiser, and that enough time has passed, I can experience directing again; ... Already next week I'll start working on a Keith Richards documentary. ... I'm very touched that Keith agreed to show up in front of my cameras."

More artcles about this: The Independent, hollywoodtoday.net, moviesblog.mtv.com ...

Here' some nice pics which have surfaced lately with Johnny, Keith, Patt Smith any Waddy Wachtel:

And while you're at it, ... have you ever seen Keith eating bullits? Of cause he doesn't take those from anyone, BUT ... (among others like) CHUCK!?

More pics from Johnny and his Keith documentary. Johnny and Patty, Johnny and Waddy, Keith, Keith and Johnny:

Faces Reunion, Keith and Ronnie on the wagon...

More consolation, more hopes. As a new album and a tour this year dissolves we do have reason for more to come from the boys. Last Sunday, January 31., we hear from Ronnie that until the Stones get together again, he would pass his time with his art and reunite the Faces.
=> See this nice little clip from ITN.co.uk.

As Ronnie has found a new girlfriend, Brazilian polo coach Ana Araujo, who is older than Kath and also seems to have a better influence on him, he is said to be sober since quite some time and also to use medical treatment (Campral).

And last but not least, Keith has decided to quit booze, too. Apparently he already didn't drink for as long as four months. As he would say: "Ok, been there, done that..."

Oh, and Johnny Depp plans a Keith documentary!

Consolation...

Even if a tour 2010 is off, a tour in 2011 isn't! That's for many reasons, but the most important would be that the Stones would celebrate their 50th stage-aniversary. By now, at least Ronnie is said to be off booze and even Keith it is said to be sober for the last 4 months (!)

And here is a set of beautiful pics of Charlie, taken in Bad Ischl, Austria, where he did a gig with the ABC + D of Boogie Woogie on January 11th, 2010. Thanks I.Leon85!

Last, not least, Mick said in a interview (italian only...), that the re-release of Exile would contain 11 formerly unreleased songs!

Desaster!

According to some newspapers, the Stones won't tour in this year. The source was called a 'spokesman for the band'. The statement is this: "Following recent UK media speculation, The Rolling Stones would like to make it clear there are no plans at the moment for the band to tour in 2010".

Sources: DailyMail, NME, Examiner, contactmusic (among others)

We do have an confirmation by now from Fran Curtis of the Stones management, that this is indeed the official statement from the band!

Meanwhile, the band is going to release a reissue of 'Exile On Main Street' in May featuring unreleased tracks: 'Plunder My Soul', 'Following The River' and 'Sophia Loren'.

Mick and Ronnie to disuss tour plans

UPDATE January 3rd: Several reports quote a 'source' close to the band (so it's nothing like an official anouncement) with the following:
"Mick is making it clear to Ronnie he must curb the drinking or he won't be coming on tour. He won't let Ronnie's boozing derail the band's plans and already has possible replacements in mind."
[See digitalspy, Newsoftheworld or Ireland-online for more details]

Well, uh-oh, not really that surprising.

• All this clears away any doubts about the plans for another tour. The only unanswered questions are whether there will or won't be a new album and whether the tour starts in 2010 or later.
• Ronnie definitely needs help or he faces worse things than not joining a Stones Tour.
• Replacements?
  • The Stones without Ronnie are something like the Stones without Brian or without Taylor were.
  • Technically, those candidates can be found, but musically: who's able to do the 'weaving' with Keith AND filling up the things Keith can't do anymore?
  • Mick Taylor does come to mind, but I'm almost definitely sure, he would turn down the offer, if he's asked.

-------------------

Mick will meet with Ronnie later this month in order to get things straight, i.e. to see wether Ronnie is fit to tour or not. It's as simple as that. Although they have been through literally thick and thin in all these years together, if Ronnie is not in shape for a new Stones tour, the boys will have to decide what to do. Ronnie must pass the medical test as have the others.

Wood was cautioned, stones to tour without him?

Well, at least that's what we hear these days from the tabloids. True: as BBC among many others report, Ronnie was cautioned by police for common assault following an incident in Surrey earlier this month. He and Ekat split for shure, but what's really worrying us is the state, our Ronnie is in. He doesn't want to have christmas dinner with Jo and the family and he is on booze again. There's a pretty elaborate article about his situation from the Daily Mail.

Thing is: if Ronnie doesn't get sober, he will not be able to pass the medical test everyone in the Stones has to pass before going on tour. That's because of the insurance; you don't get insurance without passing that test. That's the deal: If there's gonna be a tour in 2010 and Ronnie wants to take part in that, he has to pass this test sober. Nothing more, nothing less...

Ekat couldn't resist to tell some friends ...

... that the boys plan to do a massive tour in 2010. Uhuh, we knew it. More and more rumours turn to certainty! I bet we will hear more of this and sources will be more and more official ...

Here's the text from The Sun, angryape.com, breakingnews.iol.ie and gigwise.com

Inbetween tours - some exile...

And some more: If you're interested in the history of this important album, here's some more information about the famous cover:

Cover Story - The Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street", with artwork by John Van Hamersveld

Found this to be worthy for recommendation: the video of the Stones for promotion of Exile, taken by Robert Frank in 1972 in LA. From this Super8 footage were taken the pictures we all know from the Exile cover. Thanks to RainingBlimps and EIM for pointing this out!

You can enjoy this below from YouTube or download the AVI rightaway from here; have FUN!

Ronnie was awarded and fuels hopes for a new tour 2010

Ronnie Wood was honoured at the Classic Rock Awards for his outstanding contribution and his "ageless presence on the scene". He revealed that it was his first ever accolade. "It means a lot," the BBC quoted him as saying. "It’s about time – I’ve never had one just for myself," he added.

Speaking following the ceremony, he told reporters the band had recently been hanging out together and discussed a reunion.
"It's all very good. I saw Mick and Charlie last week. Everything is great", he explained, before addressing plans for new live dates.
"Let's hope so, yeah", he said.

Sources: BBC | yahoo | Clashmusic | Gigwise | among others ...

Jagger at Madison square garden

U2 welcomed Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith and the Black Eyed Peas onto the stage of Madison Square Garden, Friday night.

Jagger strutted out from the wings after U2 had started playing his Rolling Stones song, "Gimme Shelter," and belted it as a duet with the Black Eyed Peas' Fergie (and a little vocal help from U2's Bono as well).

Next came an even more surprising number: a soulful, low-key duet by Jagger and Bono on the U2 song "Stuck In a Moment That You Can't Get Out Of." The song came off like a cousin of the Stones' "Beast of Burden."

Here's more: NJ.com, NYT, Rolling Stone,

Keith WAS honoured

The Sun thinks, Keith has developed a certain interest in playing ping-pong ...

One more article on Keith'S award from the LA Times

Johnny Depp hands over congrats and award to Keith Richards:

Keith and Patty get grilled before the event:

Spike TV has honoured our Keith with the "Scream 2009 Rock Immortal Award" - well chosen, I say!

The announcement was made Thursday by Casey Patterson, Spike TV's senior vice president of talent development and event production.

The two-hour Scream 2009 awards show is to tape Saturday at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif., and will premiere on Spike TV Oct. 27.

"Keith Richards is part rock god, part superhero and nobody had rocked as hard and lived to tell about it," Patterson said in a statement about the longtime member of the Rolling Stones. "As his friend Johnny Depp once pointed out, Keith Richards was a beloved and feared pirate long before he ever played the part in any movie."

Go here for the details | Press Release

Mick Taylor speaks out

There were quite some headlines concerning Mick in the news these days. Some reported, that he would sue the Stones over unpaid royalities.
However, he's already denied this.

Then again, we have some recommendable read about him. You'll find this at the Mail Online (dailymail.co.uk), entitled "The Rolling Stone who's stony broke: Why Mick Taylor lives in a rundown Suffolk semi with a shabby car"

WOAH! That was a shock at first, but:

Charlie's NOT quitting the Stones!

Ok this is from Sept. 3rd, and it's quality is really LOUSY, but then again, you can see Charlie is doing fine and he denies the reports ! (thanks LadyJaneRO)

OMG - I am relieved. As I came home, I saw reports telling, that Charlie has left the Stones and that the band was looking for replacement. Word was, that Charlie Drayton, the former drummer with Keith's Expensive Winos, was considered. This news spread from the normally credible online outlet undercover.com.au where you can read the following:

Undercover has learned that Charlie Watts has quit The Rolling Stones. A source within the Stones inner-circle says, “Charlie Watts has quit the band. He will never record or tour with the band again”. The news does not come as a surprise. It was common knowledge that Keith Richards had to talk Charlie into contributing to the A Bigger Bang tour but this time it seems there is no calling Charlie back to active duty.

“The Stones are looking to Keith's Expensive Winos drummer Charlie Drayton to fill the void in all future Stones' callings,” our source says. With Mick Jagger planning more Stones activity next year, the departure of Charlie will be a huge blow to the band. Charlie was the backbone of the band.
The 68-year old drummer simply doesn't want to do it anymore.

Meanwhile, a Stones official and both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have denied that this could be realkly be true. In comes te NY Times to save us:

Charlie Watts has not quit the band, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday, denying a news report from Australia. "Contrary to a fabricated story that ran this morning on a small music web site in Australia, drummer Charlie Watts has not left The Rolling Stones," spokeswoman Fran Curtis said in an emailed statement.

In fact, Charlie played a gig just in June 13th , September 1st! Here are 2 pics from this gig (thanks to Beast, IORR! - I slightly optimised and downsized them) and it doesn't look like he wants to really quit touring:

    

On the contrary, we have a continuing rise of hints towards a tour starting either later this year or in 2010:

This is from Rolling Stone and this source IS credible:

Keith Richards on Recording With Jack White, New Rolling Stones LP

We can read there, that Keith want's to work with the boys on a new album next year.

“I’m trying to gather the boys together,” he tells Rolling Stone. “One way or another, I’ll get them back in line.” In the meantime, the guitarist recently recorded songs with Jack White. “I enjoy working with Jack,” Richards says. “We’ve done a couple of tracks.”

Meanwhile, Mick and Keith are going through outtakes from Exile on Main Street because this would lead to a forthcoming deluxe edition of EXILE.

“There’s new songs on there, stuff we’ve forgotten about,” Richards says. “Mick and I were looking at each other like, ‘Ah, did we do that?’ ”

Cool, huh? :-)

Jo's got her 50% and brian's case will be reviewed!

Forty years after Brian Jones was found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool, the British police say they will re-examine the case after receiving new information from an investigative journalist. This, among others, must be "The Murder of Brian Jones" by Anna Wohlin, a girlfriend of Jones who was with him the night he died).

Read more of this issue at the Guardian, BBC, Reuters, NPR or the NYT

Next News: Jo's got her share: it's about 37m dollars, or 11.5 million pounds

See NYDailyNews, the DailyMail or hellomagazine for more ...

Famous Stones Documentary, previously banned "C***sucker Blues", 'surfaces'...

Oh well. I wonder who of us still hasn't seen the famous "C***sucker Blues" documentary about the first tour of the US after Altamont in 1972 filmed by photographer/filmmaker Robert Frank. Shot during the period after 'Exile on Main Street', the film was originally commissioned by the Stones but ultimately shelved by the band after it decided that its content was inappropriate. It's topic is simple: it shows both the exhilaration and boredom on tour beeing a rock star.

It sure was inappropriate to publish - at least in the 70ties. Entitled like their (never officially published) farewell to the London Decca, there's plenty of boredom, sex and drugs... Mick snorting cocaine, the TV-out-the -window scene, heroine shots, playing billard with Muddy Waters ...

Here's one article about it (dangerousminds.net), and here's another (spinner.com)

Ok, klick here for some footage of from Rolling Stone Video of Slash, Billy Gibbons and Richie Sambora honor Les Paul

More Infos: Rolling Stone, Ultimate Guitar, Times Online, Guardian.co.uk, NY Times

Ronnie guests at Pearl Jam gig

Pearl Jam were joined onstage by The Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood as they made their UK live comeback at London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire last night (August 11). Playing in the legendary Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Eddie Vedder and Co. kicked off the evening with “Sometimes” from No Code before briefly visiting Pink Floyd’s “Interstellar Overdrive,” which served as a segue into “Corduroy.”

Early in the set, Vedder introduced Wood onstage, who then led the band through a bluesy version of Bob Dylan's 'All Along the Watchtower', during which he traded licks with guitarists Mike McCready and Stone Gossard.

You can watch this here:

  

More infos: nme.com, timesonline.co.uk, Review: londonist.com

Content Deal between Bravado and the rolling stones

Bravado, a music merchandising firm and a unit of Universal Music Group (UMG), joins forces with the Rolling Stones to create a series of integrated products spanning the physical, web and mobile platforms. Per terms of the deal, Bravado will manufacture and distribute audio and video content covering both future releases and the Stones' back catalog from 1971 forward.

Read te details (prnewswire.com, among others)

My comment: again, we can place this issue within the context of preparations for a future tour and - hopefully - a new album. Not nescessarily so, but without doubt very much possible. In any case it will be financially viable for the Stones - but not nescessarily for us, hehehe ...

Stones to perform in israel

More and more things gather and suggest that something is about to happen - either this year or next, or both, maybe. The latest hint is more of an announcement, because israelian production agency Marcel Avram confirmed on Sunday, July 12th, that the Stones are to perform in Israel. However, they did not specify when or where that's gonna be happening. You can read the article published by haarez.com

As far as I'm concerned: I don't care - more precise informations and dates are definitely going to surface by the time, our boys are able to define the timelines.

Now, is that good news or what!!??!!

=> Recommended read:

The Rolling Stones: The Gospel According To The Glimmer Twins

This is a re-issue from an article by Barbara Charone (you know her Keith biography, don't you?), who spent a few days with them and the result was this classic feature for 'Sounds'.

Here's the beginning:

KEITH RICHARDS hasn't slept for three days. It's all part of his four day on the road life cycle. He celebrates the occasion with a large scotch. The sunlight streaming through ornate windows in the hotel bar makes him look almost healthy. His Yves St. Laurent sunglasses catch the reflection, radiating inhuman strength.

Rock 'n' roll has been thrown into this coastal resort haven, sedately tucked fifty miles west of Glasgow. Ian Stewart played golf earlier that morning. Several tour workers ran off energies during a mile jog to the lighthouse. Even earlier that morning Mick Jagger retired after staying up all night discussing the pacing of the current show, the staging for Earl's Court, and writing a song with Keith Richards.

... so go there and read the rest of this great article!

 

Thanks to Ben Hewitt from The Quietus!

 

Allen B. Klein dies

Ex-Beatles, Rolling Stones manager Klein died Saturday, 5. July, and is survived by a longtime companion, Iris Keitel, his estranged wife, Betty, three children, four grandchildren and a sister. According to Bob Merlis, publicist for ABKCO Music & Records (The acronym stands for Allen and Betty Klein Co., Betty being his wife), Alan died at his New York City home of Alzheimer's disease, at the age of 77. ABKCO's assets include recordings by the Rolling Stones (a yes, we DO know that!), the Animals, Herman's Hermits, Bobby Womack, the Kinks, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and many others.

More Infos: Associated Press | Reuters.com | and many others ...

Meanwhile - no important news so far, but ...

Keith has been fishing and there's a good story to be told (thanks to ExiledinMedina for the hint), including fish, grapefruits and a vintage B-17...
(Taken from Martha's Vineyard Magazine, July 2009 and more pics at tomahawkcharters.com)

Then, re-listen to Flip the Switch from "Bridges to Poland":

Mick supports campaign to save a cinema

Mick has backed a campaign to save a historic cinema where the Rolling Stones played in the 1960s.

The EMD cinema in Walthamstow, north-east London, is Grade II-listed in recognition of its Art Deco interior. The derelict cinema was sold in 2003 to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. It has been denied permission to develop the building.

Mick Jagger said: "Cinemas and live venues like The Granada in Walthamstow where the Stones played in the early days, learning our craft on the way, are the lifeblood of our cultural history.

“They helped launched British popular music onto a world stage and should continue to function as places of entertainment and enjoyment.

“It's heartbreaking to here about such a beautiful, important historical building and centre of entertainment is being lost to the local community.

"I fully support the campaign to keep it open and provide film, music and the arts for generations to come."

Read further: Guardian.co.uk | BBC.co.uk | NME.com

 

Nice news from Bernard Fowler, Waddy Wachtel, Tariqh Akoni, Al Ortiz, and Phil Jones playing Jumping Jack Flash as Keith watches ...

Yes, that's right! Those guys played a gig at the Knitting Factory, NYC on May 19th. Before the show, you could see Keith arriving:

And here is Bernard and the Band playing Jumping Jack Flash - about in the last third of the song he points to the VIP-balcony where Keith, Patty and some of his daughters were staying... Keith looks old but he still seems to be alive (hehehe ...) and kicking.

Thanks to Crossfire Hurricane for pointing this out!!

Lost Photos of Young Beatles and Rolling Stones (1964-66) to Open New NYC Gallery

The Not Fade Away Gallery (NYC) presents "THE BRITISH ARE COMING!," a world premiere exhibition of previously unpublished, extraordinary photographs of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones at work and at play…as photographed by Bob Bonis, their first U.S. tour manager.

Forty-five years after the The Beatles and The Rolling Stones first came to America, an extraordinary collection of "lost" photos of the young bands has just been discovered. The 3,500 photographs -- extraordinary, intimate and unpublished -- were taken by Bob Bonis, their U.S. Tour manager, during their first U.S. tours (1964, 1965 and 1966) and document perhaps the most critical point in their careers: coming to America.

Go here for the details: [prweb.com | notfadeawaygallery.com]

Bill German to issue "Under their Thumb"

Bill German, editor of the well known pre-internet fanzine "Baggers Banquet", is to publish a book by the title: "Under Their Thumb: How a Nice Boy from Brooklyn Got Mixed Up with the Rolling Stones (and Lived to Tell About It)" issued by Random House, 2009.

I really recommend this book, although I haven't read it yet (well right, how could I?) but I can recommend Bill as a prime source for the band and because I know most of his Beggars Banquet issues...

In 1978, Bill German, then a 16-year-old kid in Brooklyn, started a fan 'zine about the Rolling Stones called "Beggars Banquet." The band was so impressed by it, they let the teen hang around - and even advertised his 'zine inside their album sleeve. For more than 17 years, German trailed the Stones, chronicling their battles and triumphs and their wild, drug- filled nights on the road.

Here is a pre-read from the NY Post (no less!): ROLLIN' WITH THE STONES - TAG-ALONG TEEN'S WILD RIDE OF DANGER & DEBAUCHERY WITH MICK AND THE BAND

Another article, I'ld recommend: Rolling Stones fan shines a light on dark decade [uk.reuters.com]

Also see the NYTimes about this

Mick presents the BAFTA-Award

If you aven't seen him since last tour, he's looking goooood! He presented the Award of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (bafta) for the best film (hafta home | BBC)

Alan Dunn: 40 years of service

The SUN reports:
Singer MICK JAGGER, guitarist RONNIE WOOD and drummer CHARLIE WATTS paid lavish tribute to tour manager ALAN DUNN, who has worked with the band since 1968. Absent axe-man KEITH RICHARDS sent apologies from his Caribbean holiday home, where he’s working on his autobiography.
Also present at swanky Petite Maison restaurant in London was Mick’s squeeze L’WREN SCOTT and his son JAMES.

... I wonder how Ronnie, Mick and Charlie got along together - and whether the next album and tour was subject of talk during the occasion...

Some pics (Thanks to and more of these at zimbio.com)

==> A Bigger Bang SETLISTs

What's it all about here:

well, stonesnews.com is about Stones-news, basically! ;-)

Something from Charlie?? No problem; I'll recommend these 2 minutes:

Here, congrats to Charlie's birthday; but see him explain his dances (Keith joins in) as a pre-gig ritual he took off from the Cotton Club jazz scene ...

I try to keep up with the latest news about The Rolling Stones as soon as I can find them. So if you want to know what's going on you can look it up right here - I'll do the searching for you ;-)

@ NEWS, you'll find the latest of general news and reports..

@ ON TOUR I will gather informations around the new tour

@ ARCHIVE you'll find a selection of better reports and pictures. Although they might not be of latest date, they'll provide you with a interesting and good read. Here's also the place for the 40 Licks Tour Setlists

@ RIDDLES you can try your knowledge about those little soundbits (now all in MP3) and if you're good at it, you'll be able to give the right answeres!

With Buddy Guy, Milwaukee, Aug 5th, concert #8

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