8th August 2010
By Nadia Brooks

IT'S the biggest contest of the 2012 Olympics – The Beatles versus The Stones to headline the opening ceremony.

Sirs Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney are battling to be the top name at the launch of the London Games.

The Rolling Stones and Macca, one of the two surviving Beatles, have both played at the American Super Bowl to worldwide ­audiences of over 100 million.

But they know Games chiefs will only pick one of them.

An Olympics source revealed: “The 2012 Olympics opening ­ceremony is going to be ­spectacular.

“It has to be to kick off the event in great British style. Everyone wants to be a part of this historical happening and what is great for us is The Rolling Stones and Paul ­McCartney are interested in playing.

“They both have an outstanding catalogue of hit after hit that everyone across the world knows.

“The Stones and McCartney can easily carry off something of this magnitude on the world stage.

“We’re looking at the American Super Bowl’s half-time show – which they have played at – as the kind of thing we’re going for with the opening ceremony. It would be great to have both but there can only be one headliner.

“It’s going to be difficult but talks have opened and we’ll see what can be worked out.” Macca and ­The Stones are masters of ­performing live – still touring even though they’re in their 60s.

Jagger was famously interviewed by ABC at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, where he spoke of his passion for watching the athletes – including “the pretty women”.

He said in the interview: ­“Nobody really trains for rock ’n’ roll. People just stand there scratching their beards and getting stoned.

“That’s not what athletics is about you know.”

And Macca, who supported the British Paralympic team two years ago, said at the time: “I like the Olympics. I like that it stands for the unification of people through sport.”

Macca’s fashion designer ­daughter Stella is designing the GB team’s 2012 Olympic kit.

The Daily Star


Man, those "sources" sure do a lotta talking...  

The Daily Star ffs. The absolute worst of all the UK tabloids.

I'd be surprised in all honesty if their entertainment writers could name more than one band member.  Especially as none of them have big tits or have been known to give blow jobs to professional footballers.

If this rumor is true, I think Paul has the better chance of playing this gig than the Stones do.

no bon giovani?

Some Guy wrote on Aug 9^th, 2010 at 7:59am:

No it's just that McCartney is more likely to put on a good show than the Stones.

Thats what I think too.

Stones fans tend to look at this with rose-tinted glasses. Its a sporting event and any involvement any musical act may have will be and should be merely as a minor sideshow for about 5-10 minutes being hurriedly wheeled on and then off again in between other variety acts. Personally, I've an aversion to seeing the Stones or any act I like being reduced to nothing but a cabaret side-attraction for an audience that isnt there for anything to do with music. It's cheesy and embarrassing, as is the clamour and apparent desperation amongst fans for them to be involved in it.

I'd also imagine that the people organising the ceremony for an event thats showcasing fitness, youth and athleticism would be reluctant to see it opened up a plethora of wizened rock stars.

Playing the Superbowl was tacky enough. This would be even worse. Please don't make it happen.

Quote:


i never thought of it like that but thats a good observation

i wonder if they will do this, im sure they'd like to do it, and be considered culturally relevant - especially with the recent number one - and the stones are such a transatlantic / world band, that i think it would make sense for them to play to a world audience

but i cant see it happening, Ade is right, i think ''younger'' people like take that and leona lewis will play, but you never know

and i enjoyed the superbowl thing so i wouldnt mind seeing them on TV

let's hope Pdog is correct too and they'll piggyback an appearance with a tour

HJW

Pdog wrote on Aug 10^th, 2010 at 12:19pm:



Not sure if they'd be paid for it - but if they feel they'll get money from it indirectly via increased ticket sales (they will almost certainly be touring Europe that summer and the Olympics take place what would be near the end of a Euro leg) or record sales, they'll absolutely jump at it if offered.

The Superbowl was effectively a commercial for the Bigger Bang album and tour. They didnt really need the ticket sales in fairness, but album sales were pretty much unaffected despite them playing to the biggest US TV audience in their career.

Gazza wrote on Aug 10^th, 2010 at 3:43pm:



they kicked off the NFL that season too... they were heavily using it to promote... so i'm thinking they would use the olympics as that type of vehicle too... and the olympics have their wizards...

There may be an all star music show as part of the kick off but I doubt that any rock band would be included in the Opening Ceremonies. Maybe the closing perhaps but can't see the Stones really wanting any part of it. Now Phil Collins will need to be locked up as he would try and sneak on stage for sure.

Pdog wrote on Aug 11^th, 2010 at 9:36am:


As long as they don't get that Winchester Cathedral guy from the 60's.......

sweetcharmedlife wrote on Aug 11^th, 2010 at 11:21am:


Oh, I remember that song, it sounds so corny at the time, some of those 60's bands were getting into that kind of thing, another was Sopwith Camel "Hello Hello" was their hit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpOrXcZ4ZrA