Posted on 02/07/2006 6:47:44 PM PST by Libloather
Rolling Stones Decry Super Bowl Censorship
By DAVID BAUDER
Tuesday, February 7, 2006 8:50 PM EST
NEW YORK - Nobody turns off the microphone on Mick Jagger without a fight. Censorship of their songs during the Super Bowl halftime show was "absolutely ridiculous and completely unnecessary," the Rolling Stones said through a spokeswoman on Tuesday.
The NFL, which produced the show seen on ABC Sunday night, silenced Jagger's microphone during sexually suggestive passages of two of the three songs the band performed before an audience of 90 million television viewers.
The football league, still nervous over the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction two years ago at the Super Bowl, has said it wanted to ensure family entertainment at the game.
"The band was aware of our plan to simply lower Mick's mike at the appropriate moments," said Brian McCarthy, NFL spokesman. "It was discussed with the group last week prior to the Super Bowl."
He declined further comment on the Stones' statement.
The band may have known about it, but that doesn't mean they liked it, spokeswoman Fran Curtis said. Jagger sang the full lyrics during his performance, she said.
In "Start Me Up," the show's editors silenced one word close to the song's end, a reference to a woman so sexy she could arouse a dead man. The lyrics for "Rough Justice" included a synonym for rooster that was removed.
The Stones also performed "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," but the lyric "I can't get no girlie action" made it through unscathed.
The incident was reminiscent of the band's performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1967, when the host demanded the Stones change the lyrics to "Let's Spend the Night Together." As ordered, Jagger sang "let's spend some time together," but he rolled his eyes for effect.
They did a much better version than the original!!
Then, maybe, the NFL should not have booked the Rolling FReepin' Stones for the halftime show!
That said, the Stones have no basis for complaint. They knew the deal going in.
I always get annoyed when folks go to see them and tell me how good they were. I was there....they sucked. If it was ANY other band - who's name you didn't know - people would throw bottles at them to get them off the stage. But, they are the R.S....so people think they are great.
Never got into the whole "idol worship" stuff....
It would have been better if they lowered his mike for the whole performance.
Some sources say it's "girl with action". I always thought it was "good reaction". Whatever. It will always be one of the greatest rock songs ever, no matter how badly it was done at the Super Bowl. They reminded me of a third rate garage band trying to do Stones covers. When you become a parody of yourself, it's time to hang it up.
Were told they'd never be on again but were on two more times.
When the Stones were young it was edgy - now it's dirty old men being stupid --
Why did they perform songs with adult sexual lyrics to an audience of adults and CHILDREN if they knew the NFL was sensitive and was going to turn his mike down? Keith Richards...well lets just say he was darn lucky the NFL put his ugly mug on our televisions.
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