The image the group created here last spring appears to be paying off on their current tour, which could be the biggest invasion since the Beatles
The Stones are here! The five long haired, boot-footed, leather-jacketed beats were scheduled to arrive in New York on Friday (October 23), for their second American stomp, which promises to be a gash-of-a-bash, kicking off with two SRO
performances at the New York Academy of Music on October 24.
According to the Rolling Stones their last tour here in the spring was a disaster. The one bright spark which saved them from an almost total wash out on the tour circuit was their final, chaotic New York, Carnegie Hall scene, which resulted in the hall being banned to other beat groups and an eleventh hour triumph for the boys.
Happy promoters. There are several happy promoters on the current Stones tour — and very few empty seats. The five rebels have arrived. They’ve done it the hard way, without a great big smash record and with only the one redeeming factor from their last tour. Their image, and the impression they left behind on their previous trip is one of belligerence and rebelliousness. They didn’t achieve their desire to conquer the entire American market, but they passed judgement too quickly. The sum total of their previous tour and its publicity has meant big box office on their current swing across the country.
Before the five Rolling Stones — Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richard, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman — arrived, publicity, promotion and general arrangements had reached pandemonium, stage 1. GAC, London Records and publicist Connie deNave had been besieged with limitless phone calls and letters, asking for press interviews, personal interview sand any other contact with the boys.
Big magazine coverage. Nearly every fan magazine in the country (and some of the slicks ones too), woke up to the fact that the Rolling Stones were coming and planned six or eight page spreads on the boys both in color and black and white. Other press interviews and photo sessions have been set up across the country, including one which was scheduled at the New York Astor Hotel immediately after their arrival Friday (October 23). At press time, it was also hoped that a complete photo session could be arranged during rehearsals for the Ed Sullivan Show, Sunday (October 25).
Because of the ban on arrival receptions at Kennedy Airport, the Rolling Stones arrival was kept a complete secret until a couple of days before they came in. As it is, arrangements were made for the group to have special security at all times during their stay, and for the most part they will be accompanied by private guards wherever they travel. However, these plans are not expected to curb Stones fans from turning up at other airports throughout the United States or at any hotels. In fact, mass riots and a way to deal with them were points high on the agenda for attention some weeks before the boys came in.
50,000 eager fans. An example of the Rolling Stones increasing popularity here is the staggering total of 52,000 official national fan club membership with another 10,000 unofficial followers.
Rolling Stones mania finally hit home when two girls from Cleveland left their families in an attempt to visit the boys in England. Miserably for them, they failed, but as a result of their efforts, the girls and their families will be guests of the group at their Cleveland concert on October 31.
Will record here. During their trip, the Stones will record several sessions under the aegis of their British producer Andy Oldham. Recording dates have been set up in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The group will also tape an Electronovision spectacular for a Christmas showing, appearing on the same show, along performances by Billy J.Kramer & The Dakotas, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Beach Boys and Lesley Gore (and possibly other big names may be added).
Out in time for their arrival were three new one shot fan books and a new hit single on London, “Time Is On My Side” which is bounding up the charts.
Last time, people were curious. This time they’re excited, and in terms of prestige alone, this tour could turn out to be one of the most sensational and spectacular concert events of the year.
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Information, credit and news source: Music Business, October 31, 1964
