(MMP Cambridge)
Posted on 08/22/2007 8:10:48 AM PDT by Stoat
(MMP Cambridge)
Keith Richards enjoys a cigarette during the Rolling Stones gig at the O2 arena in London last night
Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood will continue to smoke on stage during Rolling Stones gigs in the UK despite reminders from authorities that it is now illegal.
Band insiders were responding to warnings from Greenwich Council that the two guitarists could face fines if they persist in lighting up on stage, as happened during a gig at the O2 arena last night.
Richards smoked throughout a rendition of You Got the Silver – despite frantic warnings from the venue's staff. He was joined by Ronnie Wood, who was cheered by the 20,000 strong crowd when he, too, defied the ban.
"Ronnie and Keith have been smoking on stage for the last three decades and they're not going to stop for the next two," a source close to the band told Times Online.
"Of course they're going to have a fag - it's what they do.
"You might say that Keith and Ronnie lighting up while they swap licks is part of the Stones performance."
The O2 was today warned that it could face a £2,500 fine if the Rolling Stones persisted in smoking during their remaining two gigs at the venue – tomorrow and Sunday.
Greenwich Council told the venue today that it had an obligation to enforce the legislation with a fine and potential prosecution if the ban is flouted.
Richards appeared from backstage – his cigarette already lit – about a third of the way through the set when he came on to sing two numbers while Sir Mick Jagger was taking a break.
Having a delivered a wistful rendition of You Got the Silver - which includes the line 'Hey baby – what's that in your eyes?', he then proceeded to puff his way through Wanna Hold You, joined by Wood.
A statement from Greenwich Council today said: "We have reminded the O2 of their obligation to enforce the smoking ban and are satisfied with the assurances they have provided that this will not recur," adding that it had not received any complaints from the public.
A spokeswoman for AEG, which runs the O2 arena, said: "We are sure it was an oversight and are grateful for the band's co-operation."
O2 claimed that the cigarette was extinguished "almost faster than the message to put it out got to stage," but witnesses said there was no evidence Richards was at all ruffled during the opening leg of the band's Bigger Bang tour.
"The pair of them looked every bit the rock 'n' roll legends that they are," one fan said.
The Stones have already been fined £100 for smoking on stage during a gig at Hampden Park in Scotland during the Forty Licks tour, and other musicians, including Pete Doherty, have also defied the ban.
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Having fags, trading licks? What the hell is going on here?
Ciggie Ping
English from the UK I guess.
Live Free - And Pay the Fines With Nickles
Even an oppressive place like Minneapolis has an exception for smoking during performances on stage. As long as it’s art, it’s OK.
Doh!
Though when have the "public" ever mattered?
From blowing their minds in the 60’s to blowing smoke onstage in the new millenium, the reaction from the authorities is still the same. And, I might add,
so is the reaction from the Stones.
It's a crime, and a horrific one.
Great Britain 17,000 blinded by fags (Smoking, that is)
Great Britain Next, a ban on smoking in our parks and open spaces (indoor ban began yesterday)
SCOTLAND BANS SMOKING (Nationwide ban in all enclosed public places)
U.K.Children urged to pressure parents on smoking
UK New quit [smoking] pill will be on NHS
Pub patio heaters for smokers will produce 'as much pollution as a small city'
Only liberals can get around the rules for the “little people”. Better Midler clear cutting in Hawaii and now the Stones smoking where nobody else is allowed.
What next, only algor will be allowed to pollute
I heard that if Keith breathes clean air he’ll die.
Looks like the Whip is Coming Down
Defying the NANNY STATE ping!
Smoking then, being fully equal in stature from the legal perspective, as say, flag burning.
Thanks for the ping!
Sometimes I can't help but feel that wrong turn I took outside Albuquerque ended me up in a parallel universe.
LOL...I feel your pain.
The world that we grew up in doesn't exists anymore.
BigMack
Keith hasn’t breathed in 40 years. He’s a zombie - didn’t you know?
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