Rolling Stones Announce World Tour
The Rolling Stones announced yet another world tour in grandiose fashion Tuesday, circling New York’s sprawling Van Cortlandt Park in a yellow blimp emblazoned with their red tongue trademark.
“Either we stay at home and become pillars of the community, or we go out and tour. We couldn’t really find any communities that still needed pillars,” joked Mick Jagger after he emerged from the blimp.
The Stones intend to celebrate their 40th anniversary with not only the tour but also a greatest hits disc that will feature new songs. The tour will kick off Sept. 5 in Boston. It will be the band’s first since 1999, which was that year’s top-grossing tour.
This time around, the band will play clubs as well as stadiums and arenas.
Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood looked as if they were having plenty of fun even before the news conference began. The foursome boarded the blimp at the park and circled the area for about 15 minutes before landing.
They had even more fun at the news conference, cracking jokes as reporters asked questions.
When one asked if they would do any songs from the past, Richards said: “The set list is a bit down the road. It just depends if we can remember them.”
About 300 fans turned out for a chance to see the legendary band, which formed in 1962.
“I wanted to be able to say that I saw their blimp come down,” said Kathleen Wieblack, who came from suburban Long Island to the Bronx.
“I’ve seen the last three tours,” said Richard Bell, who traveled from upstate New York. “Hopefully I will get tickets to see them.”
Tour promoter Michael Cohl said tickets for the first few dates will go on sale this week.
Among the opening acts: Sheryl Crow, No Doubt, Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang.
The group has not released an album since 1998’s “No Security.” Jagger put out his own solo disc last year, “Goddess in the Doorway,” which was a commercial flop.
Jagger said they’re just beginning to work on the new material for the upcoming disc.
“It’s a minor problem,” joked Richards.
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