Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bing to fund Stones show in protest over global warming

Andrew Buncombe
Tuesday 07 January 2003 20:00 EST
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.

The Californian film producer Steve Bing, better known as the father of Liz Hurley's baby, is to bankroll a Rolling Stones benefit concert on behalf of an American environmental action group.

Bing, 36, who disputed he was the father of Hurley's son until DNA tests proved conclusive, is picking up the tab for a free concert in Los Angeles to raise awareness of global warming.

John Coifman, a spokesman for the National Resources Defence Council (NRDC), which has helped to organise the concert on 6 February, said: "Steve has had quite a long relationship with the NRDC. This is the first time in many years that the Stones have played a benefit concert."

The NRDC is offering 12,000 free tickets to music fans who visit its website at www.nrdc.org, hoping that the concert will publicise the issue of global warming among people not normally involved in environmental issues.

Last month Bing offered to set up a £100,000-a-year trust fund to help bring up the boy, Damian. Hurley, a model and actress, has said she will not accept money from Bing.

How much Bing must pay to put on the show, or whether the band has waived its fee, is not known. Sources said the deal was a private arrangement between Bing and the Rolling Stones.

A spokesman for the band declined to comment on the arrangement. He said the members were taking a holiday halfway through what is said to be the band's final world tour.

Last week the Rolling Stones agreed to allow the car maker Ford to use their song "Start Me Up" as the theme for a series of advertisements for its latest range of fuel-guzzling 4x4 vehicles, the sort of cars blamed by the NRDC for contributing to global warming.

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