They're not really a band until they get together and do something new or tour. 

Ronnie joined a Faces cover band!

Band? What band?

AngieBlue wrote on Jul 1^st, 2010 at 2:06pm:



I guess it sounds good when he does that. However, the last three tours have ended with gaps in performing activity of three years (1999-2002), two years (2003- 2005) and three years again (to date) (2007-10).

The Stones as a band have barely spent more than a couple of months in the studio since 1997 and in the last decade and a half Keith has been by some distance the most inactive band member in terms of both side projects and live appearances. He hasnt exactly been that prolific in terms of his share of the band's songwriting either.

He's had plenty of time on his hands in which he could have stayed active and his repeated suggestion that he's itching for some work doesn't really hold up when scrutinized beyond face value.  At 66, his chops aren't exactly going to improve if he's barely active for years at a time. In fact, it's a pretty telling and sad reflection that with all the hype surrounding the 'Exile' week he made two cameos at the various Fallon shows - and whilst the house band and several guest acts performed songs in his honour, he chose to merely chat with the host (entertaining though it was) and flat out declined to sit in on even one of the great songs that he co-wrote - because he hadn't played guitar in a long time.

A band? From recent header this year we only have Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor playing...

How many times can everyone mull over rumors with nothing credible to  back it up. No Rolling Stone, nor anyone of the Stones reps, nor anyone from their official staff ever mentioned an ioda about Ronnie possibly not being in The Rolling Stones anymore....

Most of the folks who spoke of this are sources like The Sun, or some odd-ball websites...

Sure Ronnie is pretty unpredictable anymore and he has went through a divorce. He has relapse here and again but guess what ...how much of this is really any bit of a surprise? I'm sure The Stones weren't supportive of some of the decisions he's made in the past three years but none the less I'm sure they were not too shocked by all this either. I'm sure Ronnie is still very much a Rolling Stone based on the fact that nobody in their camp ever stated anything about Ronnie possibly not being in the group anymore. End of Story.

Ian

Tumbled wrote on Jul 1^st, 2010 at 9:53pm:


So? Who suggested the Stones owe us another note? Not Me. Still doesnt alter the fact that if they're still a band, time isnt exactly on their side and that for the sake of their musical ability, they need to keep relatively active.

Like myself, you dont know the intimate effects of Keith's medical condition I would imagine, so presuming he's so delicate he can't work is a bit presumptious. And if he WAS, why would he be itching to play (incidentally he was saying the same things a year ago. Nothing much has happened since)

And which of Mick's 'outside interests' has been occupying his time for the last 3 years? He's not exactly been churning out the movies or solo albums.

Mel Belli wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2010 at 6:10am:



he has hep-c antibodies... but he does not have the actual virus... he is one of the lucky 20%er's.. the percentage of people infected with the virus whose immune systems are able to fight off the virus on its own... a blood test will show the antibodies but not the virus...

HEY KEITH ... MARY AND I (AND ABOUT 10 MILLION OTHER PEOPLE) NEED SOME OF YOUR ANTIBODIES...

lol

Gazza wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2010 at 10:57am:


I have different definitions...he's in and always will be in my book.........

gimmekeef wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2010 at 11:09am:



I consider him a Stone and always have done. I dont make the executive decisions though, and no matter what way we like to romanticize his involvement and importance to the band, he ceased to be a band member in 1963.

Tumbled wrote on Jul 1^st, 2010 at 9:53pm:

Spot On Tumbled.  No way will they risk an outlay in such a serious recession.  Your other points are spot - on too.  Meantime I have my original Aftermath LP on the deck which cost me UK32/6 (USD2?) and am very happy.  Another tour with Wood would be embarrassing!

Right Ginda and as it should be. life is for living not dying.  I don't want these guys to fuck up their health to rake it in one more time. I hope they live out their lives in whatever happiness they can find.
as am I.  I'm tired of hero worship anyway

No doubt they're all musing, tuning, stumbling, grumbling, humbling themselves, being saucy, sorting business, counting shillings, tidying their closets, pumping their peckers afresh, all in preparation for a (2011)-2012-(2013) Stoonzle Phenomenon.
It will be gor-geous.

XXXX 

I'm amazed at how some on this board think Stu was an official member of the band

and Ronnie Wood isn't right now??


Lets try it again boys and girls:

1. No Ian Stewart wasn't an official member of the band The Rolling Stones (from 1963 and onward).

2. Yes Ronnie Wood was, and is... (finally in 1989 The Stones gave him all access besides just the title).

It's really not that hard to open your eyes to..

-nuff said.


Ian Billen

Gazza wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2010 at 5:21pm:


sad too, that it was beased on his looks and not his abilty... somehow, he rose above it... many, many musicians would've not played with them, been bitter and thought emotionally and not looking at the oppurtunity to have steady work, or possibilty of... since at the time, he would have no way of knowing this job would last for his life... Stu was a good guy and a smart guy and he also never held any visible resentments about these choices and decisions... a sign of his great character.

Gazza wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2010 at 3:57pm:



the business end of it, makes my rock n roll erection go away...

What I do know is that Ronnie is currently enjoying the Wimbledon final. He was actually caught on camera while having a sip of water. Unless he put some vodka in the bottle of course.

Yeah Ronnie is still in the band ~ but MICK did warn him to sober up. So if he follows MICK's orders he will remain with the band, but if Ronnie fvcks up, MICK will put the band ahead of Ronnie, any day of the week. There's no great loyalty there. So far Ronnie is managing to make a good impression of sobering up, but we all know how quickly and drastically that can change. So I would say the ultimatum has been given to Ronnie and yes, he chose to stay sober and keep his job!