The Rolling Stones outline 2002-2003 tour plans
ByMay 30, 2002 10:00 PM
Forty years after they played their first gig in London, the Rolling Stones have announced--in typically grand style--plans for yet another world tour.
Forty years after they played their first gig in London, the Rolling Stones have announced--in typically grand style--plans for yet another world tour.
The band commandeered a blimp emblazoned with the band’s lips-and-tongue logo and landed in New York’s Van Cortland Park to make the announcement on Tuesday (5/7).
The tour, which is the Stones’ first in three years, gets underway on Sept. 5 in Boston. In an unusual twist, it will visit a mix of stadiums, arenas and clubs, sometimes visiting three venues in a single market. Ticket prices will range from about $50 to $350, according to various reports.
In its Tuesday (5/7) press conference, the band announced that three totally different productions--sets, lighting and special effects--are under design, so a fan could see the band in all three types of venues and have a unique experience each time.
The band will be on the road in North America through early 2003. Later in 2003, the tour will visit Europe, Australia, Mexico and the Far East. Dates outside of North America haven’t been announced.
Pre-sale tickets will be available in some markets beginning on Wednesday (5/8), but fans will have to pony up $60--on top of the ticket price--for a chance to purchase a pair. The $60 fee enrolls fans in “getAccess,” a subscription club formed by concert promoter Clear Channel Entertainment and the Sam Goody record-store chain, but doesn’t guarantee members that they’ll get tickets. Details are available on the Sam Goody http://www.samgoody.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/SamGoody/HtmlWrapper.mac/report?&htmlpage=MusicLand-seasonal/Spotlights/clearchannel.html >website.
Core band members Mick Jaggar, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts will be augmented on the tour by keyboardist Chuck Leavell and bassist Darryl Jones. Leavell and Jones appeared with the band on its Bridges to Babylon and No Security tours of 1997-1999.
The Toronto Star reported that the band is expected to rehearse for the tour in Toronto, and may play a club date in that city.
The Rolling Stones last toured in 1999 to back their 1998 live album, “No Security.” According to Pollstar, that tour grossed $66.7 million over 34 dates. The band was the top-grossing band of the ‘90s, taking in nearly $751 million on 12 million tickets sold, according to Amusement Business.
“No Security,” was recorded during the band’s 1997-98 tour behind “Bridges to Babylon,” which is the group’s last studio set.
The Rolling Stones formed in 1962, and released their first single in 1963.
Discuss the tour in SoundSpike’s Rolling Stones forum.