STONES SONG “APPALLING IN TIME OF WAR”

Studio single Highwire, with its anti-Iraq War stance, incurred the wrath of, amongst others, British politicians and the BBC. The first Iraq War that is, when George Bush Senior was let into the White House.

A Conservative member of Parliament called it appalling in a time of war and the BBC added it to a list of songs it “discouraged” its DJs from playing.

There was, surprisingly, little backlash in America.

Mick Jagger told the London Times newspaper: “Pop music should address a broad range of subjects > not just sex and cars”.

Highwire and another studio track Sex Drive are tucked at the end of 1991 live album Flashpoint.

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THEN ALONG CAME JONES > NEW STONES BASS PLAYER

Darryl Jones joined the Stones in 1993, replacing founding bass player Bill Wyman who left the band of his own volition

Jones’ background is steeped in jazz > having played with the likes of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock.

He had also toured with Madonna and Eric Clapton.

Jones > also known as “The Munch” > has never officially been a member of the Stones > with his role more as an on-stage musician.

Jones replaced founding bass player Bill Wyman, who left the Rolling Stones in an official announcement early in 1993.

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STONES FIRST MAJOR BAND TO VIDEO STREAM CONCERT

With a 20-minute video streaming from a concert at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the Rolling Stones on November 18, 1994, were the first major recording artist to broadcast a show over the internet.

The video streaming included five songs > Not Fade Away, Shattered, Tumbling Dice, You Got Me Rocking and Rocks Off.

Mick Jagger greeted the internet audience and said he hoped the system didn’t collapse, the New York Times reported.

The concert was part of the hugely successful worldwide Voodoo Lounge tour, promoting their album of the same name.

‘There were lots of hacks (reporters) out there who said we couldn’t do it anymore. But maybe what they meant was they couldn’t do it anymore.’

> that’s what Mick Jagger told Rolling Stone magazine.

Jagger continued > “Anyway, once we started playing, all that died down. You can talk about it and talk about it – but, once we’re on stage, the question is answered.”

The tour took in $320 million to become the highest grossing of any artists up to that time.

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TAKE A SLASH > YOU’RE NOT WANTED GUNS N’ ROSES GUITARIST

GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist Slash (pictured) was visiting the studios when Keith Richards was working on the song Thru and Thru for 1994 album Voodoo Lounge.

Slash made the unfortunate suggestion that he add some blues licks.

According to the album’s producer Don Was, Keith Richards replied: “Look, I like ya kid, but don’t press your luck. You’re not coming anywhere near my fucken track.” (Quote From the book The Rolling Stones: It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll by Steve Appleford.)