The Hindu : `We are 39 years late coming to India'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

`We are 39 years late coming to India'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE April 1. After 39 years of waiting, diehard rock music fans in Bangalore will finally get to hear the Rolling Stones. The band is set to perform a two-and-a-half-hour non-stop concert at the Palace Grounds here, on April 4.

The Stones, comprising Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Woods, are geared up to enthral audiences with their fare.

Prior to addressing the media at a pre-concert briefing, Jagger, with his customary exuberance, said: "Hum pehele baar hamara sangeeth India laaye hai... Hame kushi hai.'' (This is the first time we are bringing our music to India... We are happy.)

The concert, which was earlier scheduled for April 11, was advanced after the band cancelled its Singapore tour. "This has been one of the most difficult tours for us due to the war and the virus situation in Singapore... We think we are 39 years late coming to India,'' remarked Jagger.

The Stones's music, however, has not been overtly influenced by Indian music nor are they aware of Indian (rock) artistes. "We honestly do not know any Indian rock bands. We are here to find out... We live and learn,'' Jagger said.

With a compilation spanning their entire musical career, the Stones will play a compendium of 36 re-mastered Stones's classics, including four new songs which have not been released. As of now, the band does not plan to bring out an anti-war album, though they are against the war on Iraq.

When queried about the war, Richards displayed a sign on his jacket, which said: "Make love, not war."

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