Thanks to "Keith" from Cáceres, España, posted at our message board in Spanish

http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/telediario/se-cumplen-35-anos-del-mitico-concierto-rolling-stone-barcelona/1127282/

This was the show in which Ronnie dressed like a bullfighter

Hard to believe that 1976 was the first time they played in Espana

Not really, when you think about it. Spain was still a Fascist state until Franco's death in November 1975. As far as I'm aware, the Stones refused to play there until it was a democracy.

The Stones first Spanish gig was in Barcelona in a bullring - ironically its one of the few (if only) places in the city where everything is in Spanish instead of Catalan (Catalonia is in the process of outlawing the 'sport', I think).

It also emphasises how much the 'concert map' for a band touring Europe has changed in recent years. Countries like Spain and Portugal wouldnt really have been on the radar in the 70s'. Eastern Europe was pretty much off-limits until the 90's. Even Italy and Ireland werent major markets for concerts until the 80s.

If a band was touring Europe in, say, the late 70s, the itinerary was rarely going to be more than the UK, Scandinavia, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and West Germany.

Now? There are almost 50 countries in Europe and realistically anything between 30-40 where a British or American band could potentially have a sizeable audience to perform in front of.

Interesting

Gazza wrote on Jun 15^th, 2011 at 6:42am:

Spain was still a Fascist state until Franco's death in November 1975. As far as I'm aware, the Stones refused to play there until it was a democracy.

I wonder if there's a more specific reason for this. Hadn't they played behind the Iron Curtain before this?

Edith Grove wrote on Jun 15^th, 2011 at 8:41am:

Gazza wrote on Jun 15th, 2011 at 6:42am: Spain was still a Fascist state until Franco's death in November 1975. As far as I'm aware, the Stones refused to play there until it was a democracy. I wonder if there's a more specific reason for this. Hadn't they played behind the Iron Curtain before this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESyTVnxxrPc

Gazza wrote on Jun 15^th, 2011 at 6:42am:

Not really, when you think about it. Spain was still a Fascist state until Franco's death in November 1975. As far as I'm aware, the Stones refused to play there until it was a democracy. The Stones first Spanish gig was in Barcelona in a bullring - ironically its one of the few (if only) places in the city where everything is in Spanish instead of Catalan (Catalonia is in the process of outlawing the 'sport', I think). It also emphasises how much the 'concert map' for a band touring Europe has changed in recent years. Countries like Spain and Portugal wouldnt really have been on the radar in the 70s'. Eastern Europe was pretty much off-limits until the 90's. Even Italy and Ireland werent major markets for concerts until the 80s. If a band was touring Europe in, say, the late 70s, the itinerary was rarely going to be more than the UK, Scandinavia, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and West Germany. Now? There are almost 50 countries in Europe and realistically anything between 30-40 where a British or American band could potentially have a sizeable audience to perform in front of.

In alot of ways too, the US market changed for bands like The Stones. Over playing major markets, they were able to do in The USA, something like what they did with Europe changing, and go to new markets and cash in....

Edith Grove wrote on Jun 15^th, 2011 at 8:41am:

Gazza wrote on Jun 15th, 2011 at 6:42am: Spain was still a Fascist state until Franco's death in November 1975. As far as I'm aware, the Stones refused to play there until it was a democracy. I wonder if there's a more specific reason for this. Hadn't they played behind the Iron Curtain before this?

Yes. They played Poland in 1967 and later in 1976 they played Zagreb (then part of Yugoslavia, now Croatia). Was a bit easier to play those countries than some other less liberal Communist states though.

The show in Warsaw in '67 was somewhat infamous as the Stones took the stage to find that the front couple of rows had been reserved for kids who were related to the hierarchy of the ruling Communist party, and who basically sat there with their fingers in their ears while everyone else was going nuts. The band refused to continue until they were moved out of the front rows and the kids behind them were allowed to take the vacant seats.

The Stones also refused invites to tour South Africa in the late 60s. In fact, Gram Parsons' departure from the Byrds on the eve of a tour there was probably somewhat influenced to Keith 'educating' him that it wasnt the done thing.

Gazza wrote on Jun 15^th, 2011 at 10:50am:

Edith Grove wrote on Jun 15th, 2011 at 8:41am: Gazza wrote on Jun 15th, 2011 at 6:42am: Spain was still a Fascist state until Franco's death in November 1975. As far as I'm aware, the Stones refused to play there until it was a democracy. I wonder if there's a more specific reason for this. Hadn't they played behind the Iron Curtain before this? Yes. They played Poland in 1967 and later in 1976 they played Zagreb (then part of Yugoslavia, now Croatia). Was a bit easier to play those countries than some other less liberal Communist states though. The show in Warsaw in '67 was somewhat infamous as the Stones took the stage to find that the front couple of rows had been reserved for kids who were related to the hierarchy of the ruling Communist party, and who basically sat there with their fingers in their ears while everyone else was going nuts. The band refused to continue until they were moved out of the front rows and the kids behind them were allowed to take the vacant seats. The Stones also refused invites to tour South Africa in the late 60s. In fact, Gram Parsons' departure from the Byrds on the eve of a tour there was probably somewhat influenced to Keith 'educating' him that it wasnt the done thing.

as much as people think they've been about the money, they are smart and informed and have always had morals regarding human rights and justice. Even Keith at his most screwed up, was pretty hip to stuff like Apartheid was before it became the new cause... I don't know how many others experience what i have with thme, but I was always deeply moved, by their music in ways that are covert. Alot of the music doesn't address these issues, and when it did it was vague usually. Somehow I feel things from the music that have always helped me feel more confident with many views, knowing they have them as well... pretty awesome the power they have in the beats, chords and lyrics... They really have helped change the world. You know these kids at the show in spain grew up in such an oppressive regime, and to be able to see The Stones, must've been amazing. I'm sure to this day, they still feel the things, I'm falling short of describing.