Get Back?(April 16, 2012) -- The Stones have recalculated their math. In answer to fans' pleas for a 50th anniversary tour in 2012, the band has stated that their true golden anniversary isn't this year, but next: Although the Rolling Stones debuted in July 1962, Charlie didn't become a member until January 1963. Whether or not you agree with that logic, it buys the Stones some time to get their touring chops together, and gets the fans and media off their back ... until 2013.
The same goes for a new CD release. Despite the possibilities and rumors of an upcoming studio jam (rumors that were sparked by Ronnie Wood last week, who later retracted his words), it appears that the Stones' only output this year will be their self-produced documentary and coffee table book. Outside of some necessary business meetings (and a very casual jam session?), the four Stones will spend the next few months on their solo projects.
Charlie will continue to gig with his ABCD of Boogie Woogie jazz band. He'll be bringing it to New York's Iridium jazz club from June 29 to July 2 (two shows a night), preceded by a night at Lincoln Center on June 28. He and the band have just completed dates in Germany, Austria, and England.
Last time we checked in, on the previous version of this page, Mick had just sung at President Obama's "Red, White and Blues" concert in the East Room of the White House, and Keith had just played a concert tribute to the late blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin at New York's Apollo Theatre. For the moment, Mick has nothing on his agenda, but Keith will be flying to Baton Rouge next week for the Slim Harpo Awards. Named for the blues giant who penned "Shake Your Hips" and "I'm a King Bee" (both covered by the Stones), the ceremony will take place April 23 at the Manship Theatre. Keith will receive the "Ambassador's Award" and hopefully take part in the closing jam.
Speaking of Louisiana, Keith's been working with New Orleans legend Aaron Neville. But the work has been taking place here in New York. Keith was at Electric Lady Studio for a few days in late March, producing (and not playing on) Aaron's next album.
By Keith's own admission, his long layoff from the guitar (while concentrating on his book, etc.) has left him a bit rusty. But he's been dipping his feet in the pool this year, with the recent event at the Apollo and with next week's event in Baton Rouge. Additionally, on February 26, he paid tribute to Chuck Berry at the JFK Library in Boston, by performing Chuck's "Promised Land" alongside Elvis Costello. Chuck didn't play, but Keith got to chat with him, as well as with the evening's other honoree, Leonard Cohen.
Ronnie continues to be the busiest Stone of them all. A few weeks ago, on March 29, he attended Paul McCartney's concert at Royal Albert Hall in London, where he and Roger Daltrey hopped onstage to help on the Beatles' "Get Back." He then flew to New York, to open an exhibition of his artwork and to talk about the Faces' much-heralded April 14 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. The induction ceremony -- and ensuing jam -- was to mark the first reunion in almost 20 years of the four surviving members of the Faces: Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones. The anticipation among fans and the music industry had reached fever pitch.
But when Beggars Banquet Online caught up with Ronnie in New York, he broke the news to us -- before announcing it at a press conference in Cleveland -- that Rod had backed out of the festivities, claiming to have the flu. It sent Ronnie into a panic, trying to find a lead singer. "I was gonna ask Axl Rose, but now I'm thinking about asking Flea to ask Anthony Kiedis." Ronnie even put in a call to Stones backup singer Bernard Fowler. (Perfect choice, we think.) But in the end, it was Mick Hucknall (formerly of Simply Red) who came to the rescue.
And so, on Saturday, April 14, at Cleveland's Public Auditorium, the three remaining Faces rose to the occasion. They accepted their Hall of Fame trophies and delivered brilliant versions of "Stay With Me" and "Ooh La La" (utilizing, ironically enough, the bassist from Rod's touring band). Ronnie then played on Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" alongside his surname-challenged pals Flea and Slash, during the evening's all-star finale. This was, of course, Ronnie's second introduction into the Hall (he got in as a member of the Stones in '89), and there's no word as to whether he destroyed his trophy like he did the first time. (See chapter 19 of the book "Under Their Thumb.")
Before Ronnie heads back to the UK, he'll be performing a solo show this Saturday night, April 21, at the Golden Nugget Hotel in Atlantic City. The room holds about 1,400 people. Ronnie told us he has "no idea" what he's going to play that night, but guaranteed "a great fuckin' show!" He'll have Stones sidemen Bernard Fowler and Chuck Leavell in his band, as well as bassist Willie Weeks (who played on Woody's 1970s solo albums) and drummer Steve Jordan (who was in Keith's X-Pensive Winos band).
And Ronnie's not finished. Come June 30, he'll be playing the Hammersmith Apollo in London, as part of London's week-long Blues Fest. He'll cover a bunch of songs from the Chess Records catalog and will enlist the help of friends like Mick Taylor. Mr. Taylor, it should be noted, will stage his own Blues Fest show on July 6 (at a place called Under The Bridge) and will also play twelve shows at New York's aforementioned Iridium nightclub, from May 9 to 14 (two shows a night).
So that's where we're at. This is a page dedicated to Rolling Stones news, but there's no Stones news to report and our headline for this edition comes from a Beatles song. For many Stones fans, 2013 can't come soon enough.
Beggars Banquet Online's Bill German with Ronnie Wood in NYC last week.
Ronnie's been sober for over two years now, so it was Bill drinking the Jack Daniel's
and Ronnie drinking the Diet Coke. (Photo by Bob Gruen.)
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