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Rolling Stones to return to Hyde Park for concert after 44 years Rolling Stones to return to Hyde Park for concert after 44 years
(about 2 hours later)
The Rolling Stones are to return to the scene of one of their most memorable and poignant concerts by once more playing at Hyde Park in London, the band has announced. The Rolling Stones are to return to Hyde Park in London after more than four decades – even though their drummer admits that he "doesn't like playing outdoors".
The concert, scheduled for 6 July, will take place almost 44 years to the day since they performed there as young men, who were at the time mourning the death of guitarist Brian Jones, who drowned in his swimming pool only two days earlier. The band announced on Wednesday they will return to the scene of one of their most memorable and poignant concerts for the first time since 1969.
Many fans wore white in tribute, and Mick Jagger asked the crowd to "cool it for a minute" while he read from Shelley's poem Adonais: "Peace, peace! He is not dead, he doth not sleep." The concert, scheduled for Saturday 6 July, will take place almost 44 years to the day since they performed there as young rebels, who were at the time mourning the death of guitarist Brian Jones, who drowned in his swimming pool only two days earlier.
The Observer reporter John Gale wrote: "From far off you might have supposed that this great gathering had come to hear a famed religious leader or some Eastern mystic." This summer's concert follows the five 50th anniversary gigs the band played in London and New York last year and will take place a month after they play at the Glastonbury festival for the first time.
In the Guardian Richard Gott called the concert a "great and epoch-making event in British social history". Singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards put out statements outlining their excitement although at least one band member was a little more downbeat.
The gig also marked the Stones debut for Mick Taylor, Jones's replacement. In an interview to be published in Friday's Guardian, Charlie Watts admits: "I don't want to do it [Glastonbury]. Everyone else does. I don't like playing outdoors, and I certainly don't like festivals." One reason is practical: "The worse thing playing outdoors is when the wind blows, if you're a drummer, because the cymbals move … it really is hard to play then."
The newly announced concert follows the five 50th anniversary gigs the band played in London and New York last year, as well as news that they are to play at the Glastonbury festival for the first time in June.
Jagger said: "We had such a great time playing the five concerts last year, we want to keep it going. Hyde Park holds such great memories for us and we can't think of anywhere better to perform to our UK fans this summer."Jagger said: "We had such a great time playing the five concerts last year, we want to keep it going. Hyde Park holds such great memories for us and we can't think of anywhere better to perform to our UK fans this summer."
Guitarist Keith Richards said: "We had such a ball last year and the energy between the band is so good, we can't wait to get back on that stage where the Stones belong." Richards said: "We had such a ball last year and the energy between the band is so good, we can't wait to get back on that stage where the Stones belong."
Hyde Park 1969, as it was called, was free – but this year's equivalent will be ticketed. And, in another sign of the times, it will be sponsored by Barclaycard. He told the BBC that the 1969 Hyde Park appearance seemed like yesterday, although he admitted: "It was a strange gig all round. This was the first gig with Mick Taylor [Jones' replacement] in the band and we had just lost Brian. It was a real crossed-fingers job."
The shadow of Jones' death hung heavily over the 1969 concert attended by about 250,000 people, many smoking mellowing agents and many wearing white in tribute to Jones.
Jagger, wearing his memorable white dress, asked the crowd at one point to "cool it for a minute" while he read from Shelley's poem Adonais: "Peace, peace! He is not dead, he doth not sleep."
The Observer reporter John Gale wrote: "From far off you might have supposed that this great gathering had come to hear a famed religious leader or some Eastern mystic."
The Guardian's Richard Gott called the concert a "great and epoch-making event in British social history". He wrote: "To an old-timer it would seem like the climax of an Aldermaston march, though without the politics. For one surrealist moment it was like being transferred to the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana with Fidel Jagger haranguing the assembled workers lately in from the cane fields."
Hyde Park 1969, as it was called, was filmed by Granada TV and was free – but this year's crowd will have to buy tickets and, in another sign of the times, it will be sponsored by Barclaycard.
Rob Hallet of promoters AEG Live said: "This will be the biggest gig of the summer in London. The Rolling Stones are a true British institution and the true spirit of rock'n'roll. Their return to Hyde Park is a landmark event."Rob Hallet of promoters AEG Live said: "This will be the biggest gig of the summer in London. The Rolling Stones are a true British institution and the true spirit of rock'n'roll. Their return to Hyde Park is a landmark event."
Tickets for the gig go on general sale on Friday 5 April. However, Barclaycard Unwind customers can purchase tickets from 3pm on Wednesday 3 April. The band also announced a US tour in May and June with nine gigs beginning in Los Angeles and finishing in Philadelphia on 18 June.
Tickets for the Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park gig go on general sale on Friday. As well as the Stones, Bon Jovi and Kaiser Chiefs will play the same festival on the night before.
Barclaycard Unwind customers can buy tickets from 3pm on Wednesday 3 April.•