The Rolling Stones' manager reveals the secret of their longevity
The Rolling Stones' manager Joyce Smyth has revealed how they’re still rocking with a combined age of 297.
In a wide-ranging interview with Music Business Worldwide, Smyth, who has managed The Stones for the past eight years and has worked with them for decades, said their longevity was all down to their drive.
Asked how the septuagenarians still strut their stuff live, Smyth responded: “Immense stamina, incredible focus and a genuine passion to want be out there. It isn’t as if they have to do it.
“They all want to be taking the (live) show to new places, to vary the show, to just do what they do best.”
Joyce confirmed that the band are currently on a brief holiday but there will “absolutely” be further Stones activity in the next 12 months.
She explained: “Well here’s a true story: on the way back from Warsaw, from the last gig on (The) No Filter (Tour), as we were on the plane, one of the principals, who shall remain nameless, said, Joyce, could I just ask, is it okay to have August off? I think that says it all.
“And certainly ‘This Could Be The Last Time’ isn’t on any set list I’ve seen. We’re looking forwards not backwards the whole time.”
Smyth continued: “The schedule is being prepared about where we’re going to be over the next 12 months, in terms of some studio work, maybe some live plans or other projects that are coming through the door.”
Quizzed about whether there will be a follow-up to December 2016’s Grammy Award winning ‘Blue & Lonesome’, Smyth said: “They are certainly hoping to create some new music, maybe looking at some other genres.
“They’re creative people. They’re in a little bit of a holiday period at the minute, but they hope to be back in the studio soon, watch this space.”
Reflecting upon the relationship between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Smyth said: “If you look at what the fans are saying, the fans that have been to see them on the last tour, it’s generally this: We watch them on stage, and the chemistry has never been better. That echoes my current experience and I honestly think that’s the case.
“It’s like being brothers or being married, nothing’s perfect, nothing’s made in heaven. And you’ve got to have some tension to make it as special as it is.
“But do they get on, do they work amazingly together – and do they love each other? Absolutely.”
In other Rolling Stones news, the band’s concert film ‘Havana Moon’ is getting an interactive screening on Friday 7th September 2018 at East London venue, Troxy.
Augmenting the screening of the Paul Dugdale directed concert film The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon, there will be a large-scale set design, immersive method actors, dancers, Cuban-themed food, cocktails and more.
It’s also been confirmed that there will be a limited run of exclusive and official Rolling Stones merchandise – a Cuban inspired lithography print and a blue t-shirt – on sale at the screening.