Rolling Stones Discuss ’50 and Counting’ Tour Preparations
Although the Rolling Stones were tight-lipped about their tour plans following last year’s batch of “50 and Counting” shows, the rockers were already planning to hit the road for a bigger tour. “I kept hedging when people asked me, but I knew, the year before,” Mick Jagger said in an interview with CBS. “We kind of knew it was bound to happen,” Keith Richards added. “It was very hard for me to say yes because I hate touring,” Ronnie Wood said facetiously.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards Hint at Rolling Stones Tour Surprises
The band shared some tidbits on how they prepare to tour. ready for the upcoming tour. “Personally, I start preparing about two months before the tour starts,” said the 69-year-old Jagger. “So I have to up my fitness level and I have to start singing everyday, doing practices and a bit of dancing.” To maintain his iconic moves, Jagger spends time in front of a mirror in a dance studio. Charlie Watts also noted how the band has to prepare double the material for these special shows, and has to also double their fitness for extra long sets.
“The communication between me and Charlie and Keith and Ronnie, it’s really quite easy,” Jagger said. Richards shared how he stays on point with the rest of the band. “Charlie gives me a little signal, a certain little rap that he’s ready to go,” he said. “Then Ronnie and I, we just passed looks at each other all the time.”
The Rolling Stones will resume their “50 and Counting” tour on May 2nd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They’ve booked nine shows in North America so far, finishing June 18th at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. The rockers will then head to the Glastonbury Festival in England for a headlining set on June 29th.