Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stones reach over Bridges of Babylon

Edward Helmore New York
Monday 18 August 1997 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It would seem that they just can't get no satisfaction from staying at home with their families, because once again the grand-daddies of rock, the Rolling Stones, are setting off on tour - to promote their new album Bridges of Babylon.

But the bridges of Babylon being few and far between, the band had to make do with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York for the announcement of the tour which begins next month in Chicago.

Riding to the carefully staged presentation in an open top Cadillac, the elderly rockers - Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ron - came to tell the world more or less what they have been saying for the last 20 years: No, this would not be their last tour and, yes, they were pleased with their new record they described as "fance" - a mixture of funk and dance music.

"We're up for it. We're really pumped up for it," Jagger said of the tour, which is expected to come to Britain in the spring. Asked how playing live was different now to when they began in 1963, Jagger shrugged: "We do a lot of the same songs. It's the same gig, we do the same thing."

If there is any difference from outings past, it is that the concerts will be held in a mixture of stadiums, arenas and small clubs. "It's hard out there, just playing the big concerts becomes a rote thing," said Richards.

Bridges to Babylon, which will be released on 30 September, has long been the subject of rumour within the record business. Reports have placed the relationship between Jagger and Richards at an all-time low. The two apparently refuse to work together in the same studio and record on alternate days. Invited to kiss and make up, neither jumped at the opportunity. "We always spar," Jagger said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in