The List: The 10 Worst Moments of the Rolling Stones

http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2012/07/20/stones_s640x425.jpg4f89440dae4...
The Rolling Stones, from left, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, pose for a 1998 group portrait in this file photo. (Associated Press)

By John Haydon-The Washington Times Friday, July 20, 2012


The British rock ‘n’ roll band the Rolling Stones celebrated the 50th anniversary of the group’s formation this month. The Rolling Stones were the bad boys of rock ‘n’ roll and the antithesis of the Beatles. They lived decadent lifestyles, ingested kilos of cocaine, wrote dirty songs and made tons of money. The List this week looks at the Top 10 Worst Moments in the history of the Rolling Stones.

10. Worst album — The album “Dirty Work,” released in 1986 is often viewed as the band’s worst recording, producing no favorable hits. As for the band’s worst song, try the title track from the album “Emotional Rescue” released in 1980. Mick Jagger tries to sound like the Bee Gees.

9. Filthy words — In February 2006 the band performed at the Super Bowl and Mr. Jagger was asked to omit some words with sexual connotations from two songs. As expected, he did not and his microphone was temporarily dipped.

8. “The Ed Sullivan Show” — In a performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1967, Sullivan requested Mr. Jagger to change the line in the song “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” to “Let’s spend some time together.” After cursing out talent coordinator Vince Calandra before going on the stage, Mr. Jagger does what he is told but sarcastically exaggerates the altered lyrics and rolls his eyes.

7. The “Undercover” album art cover — The 1983 album “Undercover” had one of the absolutely worst art covers: a naked lady with her private parts covered by decals which could be peeled off.

6. X-rated documentary — On their 1972 tour of the U.S., the Rolling Stones let Robert Frank film a behind-the-scenes documentary. When the band saw the finished project, it was so provocative, raunchy and raw they sued to prevent it being shown. Mr. Frank won a court ruling which allows him to screen it four times a year. According to Rolling Stone magazine, in one scene a roadie “has sex with a reluctant-looking groupie on a plane while the band bangs on percussion instruments.” “I hope you are all ready for misogyny, boredom and ecstasy — stupor and exhaustion,” warned Jeff Rosenheim, when it was screened at Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2009.

5. Drug bust —Mr. Jagger was arrested in 1967 with Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards for possession of an illegal drug and was initially sentenced to a year in prison. Both convictions were overturned following an appeal. In 1977, Mr. Richards was arrested in Toronto on charges of cocaine and heroin possession but escaped punishment. Years later, Rolling Stone guitarist Ron Wood estimated he spent more than $25 million on drugs and alcohol.

4. Misogynist billboard — The Rolling Stones promoted their album “Black and Blue” with a  billboard on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood that featured model Anita Russell bruised and bound by Mr. Jagger under the phrase, “I’m Black and Blue from the Rolling Stones — and I love it!” The billboard was removed after protests by the group Women Against Violence Against Women, although it garnered the band widespread media coverage.

3. Kids as drug mules — When the band was recording “Exile on Main St.” in France in the early 1970s, socialite Tommy Weber flew in for Mr. Jagger’s wedding with a kilo of cocaine.  According to Robert Greenfield in his recent “Exile on Main St.: A Season in Hell With the Rolling Stones,” Weber got the drugs past customs by using money belts strapped underneath the clothes of his two small sons, who were to be pageboys at Mr. Jagger’s wedding.

2. The death at Altamont — During a performance of “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Rolling Stones at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, a fight erupted in front of the stage. The Stones continued to perform through the melee. Then, during the song “Under My Thumb,” 18-year-old Meredith Hunter was stabbed to death by a member of the Hell’s Angels, who were hired as security and paid with free beer. The stabbing was recorded in the film “Gimme Shelter.”

1. The death of Brian Jones — Hard-living Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones was found dead in his swimming pool in July 1969. The talented instrumentalist and original leader of the Stones died at his mansion in rural Sussex, months after leaving the band. The death was ruled “death by misadventure.” It was generally assumed, the 27-year-old’s death was due to a drug overdose. Conspiracy theories abound, as some believe Jones was murdered. Mr. Jagger and Mr. Richards did not attend the funeral. In 2010, police said they would not reopen the case despite new evidence.

Compiled by John Haydon
Sources: edsullivan.com, wikianswers.com, rollingstone.com, Time and “Exile on Main Street: A Season in Hell” by Robert Greenfield.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/20/list-10-worst-moments-rolling-st...

#11 - The Dirty Work record retailer promo film.  I love it, though:

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

If we're worth anything, we can put together a better, less priggish list than this...journalist.

May I be informed here or via PM why my post was deleted?  I thought at least 75% of it was Stones humor that other would relate to.  If I'm boring anyone, there would be good cause to delete many posts, and entire threads.

todgergate

Steel Wheels wrote on Jul 20^th, 2012 at 9:41pm:

agreed!

Any mention of the dancing in the streets video?

Brian Jones' death - while unquestionably the saddest incident in Stones' history - is hardly the worst moment of their career, as he was no longer a member of the band at the time.


For me - it's Ian Stewart's death and Michael Cohl replacing him as the 'de facto' sixth Stone a few years later. There's your one-two sucker punch right there. Even worse, as with the passing years, Cohl's importance in the direction of the band became elevated to being second only to Jagger.

Some of the shit this guy's labelling as 'worst moments' were actually momentous events which have made them what they were. And his research is piss-poor as well. Reviewing a movie (Cocksucker Blues) which he admits he hasnt even seen, and pandering to the 'Sympathy for the Devil' Altamont myth which is there for all to witness in a movie in which he has no excuses for not having watched with his eyes and ears open.

Others that should/could have been mentioned - sky high ticket prices (killed their credibility and, at a stroke, wiped out the chances of a new generation of fans from having access to their concerts), corporate gigs, playing with Justin Timberlake, Todgergate, the fall outs in the mid 80s, rs.com, Keith's accident in Fiji, Scott Cantrell, Mandy Smith, the band being singled out for victimization by the British establishment in the late 60s, becoming tax exiles (Mick and Keith were never quite the same 'team' post-Exile), Keith being all but retired/burnt out (delete where applicable) as a writer and driving force in the band since the mid 90s, Woody's spiralling addiction problems which minimized his contribution in the 80s and 90s after a fantastic start to his career as a Stone, and some of Jagger's solo career choices.

Fortunately, the good has always far outweighed the bad.

Is Start Me Up on the list?

With the Stones Sometimes The Worst  is Their best, I guess it's left to the interpretation of the reader.
But if the Worst means Worst as to Fans..........IMO
Altamont........ Bad decisions to have Hell's Angels as Security.
Brian's own inablity to coop, and or/the appearance of the band not to be able to help a friend, sometimes what they did is consider the best thing to do.
The death of Stu, Being one of the worse.
Things like the Ed Sullivan gig, Superbowl gig,  I find to be a feather in their cap, not bad or their worse anything.. They Played and we all knew what was going on.
Things like Song or Album Preference is like, assholes, Everyone got one. Some just sound off more than others.
Maybe I miss the question....Nevermind. Next.
Hard Question The Bad Boys of Rock N Roll are suppose to have worse Moments Right or Wrong!

Sioux wrote on Jul 21^st, 2012 at 12:20pm:


I also find it astounding that someone could hate Brian that much.  He formed The Rolling Stones, they were his idea.

If you dont like Brian, thats one thing, but that remark sounds off the wall.

Joey wrote on Jul 21^st, 2012 at 5:02pm:

OMG,JOEY STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DONT TAKE THE PISS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlCECppbPMU

sirmoonie wrote on Jul 21^st, 2012 at 8:16pm:


No problem!

uncleson wrote on Jul 21^st, 2012 at 11:43pm:

Toosh.  That was the essence.  Keep in mind it was commenting on article that said Jones death was worst thing that ever happened to Stones..  Which it was clearly not.

It doesn't mention sweethearts together or rain fell down....?

The "TomL & Voodoo cover Band" (no more tour since then)

SuperHeavy

MrPleasant wrote on Jul 24^th, 2012 at 11:07am:



word

AngieBlue wrote on Jul 24^th, 2012 at 6:46am:


That was a shocker wasn't it?

For me it was a new feeling as a stones fan. When I saw that video  - also the first time hearing the track-  it was also the first time I ever watched Mick at work (pun intended) and thought to myself "that not cool. In fact, it's very uncool."

oh my gods, how could you forsake me!?

Although as I mentioned in my first post - those lemon yellow tights were just about too much.

stonedinaustralia wrote on Jul 24^th, 2012 at 8:31pm:


Somewhere on you tube, you should be able to find Mick's 'performance' of this monstrosity on Top Of The Pops.

Its not for the faint-hearted. You may need to be sitting down and kept well away from sharp objects when viewing. It may even be advised to hide behind the sofa out of embarrassment, just to be on the safe side.

It's the Rolling Stones equivalent of the Chernobyl explosion. Thousands of people who experienced it suffered ill-effects for years afterwards and even 25 years later, if you're going anywhere near it, you should only do so with extreme caution and be sure to wear protective clothing.

Yep...Let's Work would've belonged perfectly on ABB.

Teiz wrote on Jul 25^th, 2012 at 9:57am:


'Let's Work" Is not a Stones Song, for as much as ABB is defiled on the board IMO, 'Let's Work" Is  not a Stones Song!
And Would not work on any Stones Album.

@kilroy: as far as I'm concerned RFD and Sol arent even Stones songs either. The release of ABB was the biggest mistake the Stones ever made: it was proof that then Stones lost their mojo in the studio and gave anyone who called this incarnation of the band the worlds best paid tribute band a reason to say 'told you so'.

ABB is built around a set of leftovers from Goddess In The Doorway. If you want to call that a Stones album, be my guest.  Personally I can smile a about the irony of the fact that there's a song included on that stinker of an album that is titled 'Biggest Mistake'. So IMO any list of worst moments of the Stones that doesn't include their horrible letdown of a final album is not to be taken seriously.  At least b2b and Dirty Work had some character.

ABB was blaspheming by the Stones themselves. It's a legacy destroyer and I'm just glad they did omay on the tour and released two great deluxe albums splendid  bonus stuff. Bang actually drove me away fro. The Stones for a while, because it was such a letdown.

Thought this thread deserved being bumped to the top. Is GRRR!!! the new #1?

What about having Yoko in the studio while recording and upsetting the creative process????

HERE IT IS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlXnJgJJzck ENJOY!

BILL PERKS wrote on Sep 5^th, 2012 at 4:57pm:


NOT EVEN A WARNING!

Christ - it was every bit as bad as I remembered it.

YOU BASTARD, PERKS - I WON'T SLEEP TONIGHT

Stu dying was not in their control, but Timbershite was the lowest point ever for me. What made it worse is Keith-the Rebel, Outlaw, Bohemian, and other bullshit cliches that people stick to him- stuck up for that wanker and started going at it with a fan. What a twat.

I have to give the Stones a pass for the Justin Timberlake appearance. That gig was for charity. Charity concerts usually have some goofy pairings.  If that was a non charity gig, I would be the first to crucify them for it.

I think a bad time to be a fan was during Keef's "I snorted my Dad's ashes" story. That was so odd and awkward and it looked pitiful.

But the topic is about the Stones, not the individual members. So my vote for the worst band moment is.....I don't know!

OH yeah. That "Let's Work" is dreadful.

uncleson wrote on Sep 6^th, 2012 at 1:01pm:


Ape-shit crazy perhaps?

The lack of activity onstage between 82-89.When they came back they weren´t the same,they lost something,the sound was gone...