cannabisnews.com: Rolling Stones Have Long Relationship with Toronto





Rolling Stones Have Long Relationship with Toronto
Posted by CN Staff on July 23, 2003 at 13:50:27 PT
By John McKay, Canadian Press 
Source: Canadian Press 
Toronto -- It's so typically Canadian. When the Rolling Stones agreed to do a benefit concert for SARS-bruised Toronto, they called it their favourite city. And the record shows they've had a long and storied relationship with the place, going back to their first gig in 1965. But it's not difficult to find a Torontonian who is somewhat puzzled that the legendary bad boys of rock keep coming back. To paraphrase Bogey, of all the gin joints and all the towns in all the world, they pick ours. 
Maybe it has to do with our paparazzi-lite culture. Only in T.O., for example, could the boys rehearse unharassed for upcoming tours as they have so many times. Only here would they all rent bicycles for a quiet steel wheels tour of the region during their rehearsal breaks. Only here could they party with a runaway prime minister's wife, could Keith Richards get busted by the RCMP for heroin possession and get off with probation. Or maybe it's just Canada as a traditional tax dodge and the fact Toronto had been home base for their international tour organizer. Toronto bar owner Jerry Stone, professing to be on a first-name basis with the boys in the band, says it's partly economic, the devalued Canadian dollar saving them money. "Silly me, always thinking math, economics," says Stone, who bears a marked resemblance to Jagger, not only in looks, but in the manic energy he exudes as be bounces around his west-end watering hole which is part pub and part Stones museum, with a dash of New Orleans bordello. But seriously, he's asked. "There is a certain kind of love here with the city. I think with the boys it's the people themselves of Toronto, (who are) just very friendly, outgoing. They're not mobbed on the streets." He says that means a lot to the Stones, the ability to actually leave their hotel. "Keith still has a fear of stepping out, you know, after the John Lennon thing. Once in awhile he wants to go wandering till 7 in the morning." At the start it was a love affair that often came close to being out of control. On their first visit in 1965, they played Maple Leaf Gardens twice and were mobbed by fans who climbed all over their limousine. Later in London, Ont. a mini-riot broke out and the police pulled the plug, literally, on the lights and sound system. Of the 15 or so appearances here since '65, the most famous - or infamous - was in 1977, the tour that saw their historic appearances at the El Mocambo club, Keith Richards' arrest by the RCMP on heroin charges and Margaret Trudeau's scandalous weekend fling with the musicians. It began badly when Keith Richards' wife, Anita Pallenberg, was arrested at the airport after marijuana and heroin were found in her luggage. She was released on bail. Later, the RCMP raided the couple's room at the Harbor Castle hotel and they were arrested for possession of heroin for sale, a charge that could bring a life sentence. "Being famous is OK," a very worried Richards said at the time. "But in the courtroom it only works against you." The authorities were also worried, aware that a violent fan backlash was possible. In the end, Anita and Keith were fined and a few weeks later were allowed to leave the country so Keith could undergo drug-addiction treatment in New York. "I have a strange relationship with this town," Richards mused during the Bridges to Babylon tour visit in 1997, 20 years after the events. He has since thanked Toronto for saving his life by getting him on the road to conquering his addiction. But that wasn't all that happened back in '77. It was also the visit during which the band played its now-legendary gig at the El Mocambo, with several of the tunes recorded during the live appearance ending up on the Love You Live album. Jerry Stone was in the bar that night. "Fabulous! I was right behind the mixing board. It was a crazy night, just like a sauna in there." Also present was a budding photographer named Margaret Trudeau. Maggie had just left her prime minister husband although the country didn't know it yet. Her first freedom fling was to accept an invite to come to Toronto and party with the Stones. The whole weekend has been layered in sexual innuendo over the years. But in her 1978 autobiography, Beyond Reason (Paddington Press), Margaret endeavoured to paint an innocent picture of her notorious bout with the Stones, albeit innocent by '70s values. It began with drinks with Mick. No drugs. He was "polite and charming." The next day she ran into Ron Woods in a hotel corridor and he invited her to test out her budding photography career by snapping pictures at the previous night's session at the Elmo. She declined to attend a party afterwards. The following afternoon there was a tiny rattling of her hotel door handle. In the hallway was Keith Richards' seven-year-old son Marlon, crying. She accompanied him back to the Stones' suite and found Richards overdosed on the floor, moaning in a fetal position. She did her best to haul him into a bed and stayed to babysit the worried, abandoned youngster until the others, including Mick and Pallenberg, Marlon's mom, returned from a shopping trip. That night, it was dinner with Wood and Charlie Watts, which ended with her return to her room at midnight. At 5 a.m., a call from the lobby. The Stones wanted to come up and play dice. She dressed and the gang arrived, ordering champagne from room service. "We settled down to drink, play dice, smoke a little hash," Margaret writes. "Mick and Keith disappeared into a corner to work out a new number. It was fun." At 9 a.m. the band members began to depart to their own rooms, with Wood the last to leave. The following morning she left for New York and says she never saw the Stones again. But the scandal had exploded in the media with headlines alleging a sex orgy had occurred involving the wife of the prime minister. "By then I was branded: a promiscuous, irresponsible wife." Drugs were always a part of the Stones experience, on the part of the fans as well as the band. Bob Heise of Brampton, Ont. was a diehard Stones fan in his youth and saw them play in person twice, once in the early 1980s in Pontiac, Mich. when he was only 15, then in 1989 during one of the Steel Wheels Tour stops in Toronto. He recalls approaching the U.S. border at Detroit on a tourbus filled with drunken, stoned revellers. "The customs agent came on, she got to the third guy and he was so wasted. She just said 'You Canadians are pathetic!' and waved us through." At the stadium, too, the authorities had a huge garbage bin into which they pitched all the confiscated booze bottles. Heise, now 37, will be there again at Downsview Park Wednesday but is expecting a much tamer crowd. "It's not going to be a Woodstock-type thing because mindsets have changed, right? Look at me. Now I don't drink, I don't do drugs and there was a time when I did." He concedes it's quite possible that members of the older generations in the crowd will embarrass the younger fans as they try to recapture their youth. Complete Title: The Rolling Stones Have Long and Strange Relationship with City of TorontoNewshawk: afterburnerSource: Canadian Press Author: John McKay, Canadian Press Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Canadian PressRelated Articles & Web Site:Rolling Stoneshttp://www.rollingstones.com/U.S. Firm Scores Stones Contract http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16910.shtmlPolice Brace for Mickstock http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16864.shtmlWelcome To The Summer of Love, Babyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16691.shtml 
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on July 30, 2003 at 09:03:29 PT
afterburner - Party! Party! Party! Freedom! Yes!
I know you are already gone for the day but tell us all about it when you get home and rested up! 
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Comment #27 posted by afterburner on July 30, 2003 at 05:58:29 PT:
Ready to storm the gates 
Ready to storm the gates  
 Jul. 30, 2003. 06:23 AM  
 Sleeping, talking, standing and singing.That was the agenda for campers who turned out yesterday to get a good spot for today's much-anticipated music festival at Downsview Park. Cynthia Lee, Nicholas Keung and Neco Cockburn were there. [Full Story] http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059516610458&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on July 29, 2003 at 22:44:31 PT
Thanks afterburner
Have fun and I will get with you in a few days about the t-shirt. It seems that the concert might be on the CBC web site from 12 noon until midnight. Enjoy!
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Comment #25 posted by afterburner on July 29, 2003 at 22:33:32 PT:
FoM - I have your t-shirt reserved...
and Toronto is full of young people with backpacks. I'm going down early tommorow to check the scene.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on July 29, 2003 at 20:58:52 PT
Important Concert Update - No Charges for Pot!
Pot Holders Will Not Be Charged If Caught at Stones Show
 
 July 28, 2003
 Toronto — Toronto's police chief says that people caught with small amounts of marijuana heading into the Rolling Stones concert this Wednesday won't face criminal charges, but instead will have it confiscated.Julian Fantino said at a Monday press conference that those caught trying to smuggle small amounts of marijuana past the gates won't face arrest."If that's all there is to it we will not be interfering at that point," he said.Toronto Police stopped laying possession charges last month after an Ontario court ruled Canada's possession laws are unconstitutional because they don't provide for registered medicinal users.As a result Fantino said, anyone caught be security guards with marijuana will not be prosecuted."They have a choice to make: they can dump it or they can take it with them and go elsewhere," he added. "But if they want to go in, they won't be going in with there pot."However, anyone who manages to smuggle pot pass the gate and gets caught lighting up inside can be expected to be kicked out. 
 http://toronto.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=to_potfantino20030728
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on July 29, 2003 at 19:38:40 PT
afterburner a Note
I hope you and everyone have a wonderful day tomorrow. I will listen to the last 2 hours on the CBC and stay on News World International for updates. I am really surprised as big as this event is that we aren't hearing about it in our news. How can they not mention over 400,000 people gathering to enjoy freedom! I'm shocked. I can't find anything anywhere. It concerns me because if they don't mention this monstrous in size Rolling Stones Concert I wonder what else we have never been told about! Have a great day!
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on July 29, 2003 at 11:21:51 PT
CBC Video on The Rolling Stones Concert
VIDEO: Beatrice Politi reports for CBC TV 
(Runs 4:06)http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-lo/politi_stones030729.ram
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on July 29, 2003 at 10:00:37 PT
afterburner
Thanks! Do you think CHUM will play the concert live? 
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Comment #20 posted by afterburner on July 29, 2003 at 09:51:15 PT:
Much More Music is owned by CHUM
Try the following contacts:CHUM Television International ContactsCHUM Television International, 
299 Queen Street West,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5V 2Z5 phone: (416) 591-1604,
fax: (416) 591-1757email: international chumtv.com ,
web: http://www.chumtv.com/international/ CHUM Television International http://www.chumlimited.com/television/international.aspToronto - CHUM http://www.chumfm.com/
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on July 29, 2003 at 09:12:13 PT
afterburner
I tried to sign up for much more music but I didn't have the canadian info I needed. Can't we get much more music in the states?Can you give us info that would help us register if that is all we need or wouldn't it work anyway?
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Comment #18 posted by afterburner on July 29, 2003 at 08:48:21 PT:
Stones Update: D -1
As the Stones roll in, the groupies swoon
Jul. 29, 2003. 06:29 AM"A Rolling Stone gathers many fans.The horde screamed as the black stretch limousine finally rolled into the Four Seasons hotel driveway last night in downtown Toronto. Singer Mick Jagger was the first to step out, waving into a sea of camera flashes around 8 p.m. Cynthia Lee was there."  [Full Story] http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059430214024&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154***Fans already queued at Downsview http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059476123918&call_pageid=968867495754&col=968705925735
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on July 29, 2003 at 08:07:03 PT
Letter of The Day - - Edmonton Sun
Published: July 29, 2003I understand there will be a big push to keep marijuana out of SARS-Stock. Have these people not been listening to the courts, that time after time say no law exists in Canada against simple possession of marijuana? The police should show the same respect for the courts they expect the public to have. How can they search people, and seize marijuana, when the courts say it's legal? They are leaving themselves open to all sorts of lawsuits. Marijuana is not a crime against any person, property, planet, or parliament. It's not treason to smoke a joint. Ask police for the number of calls they get for violent marijuana smokers compared to users of alcohol or other drugs. Why are marijuana smokers being oppressed by our government and police? The courts are on our side. In an age when drunk drivers can cripple people with cars and nothing happens, or they can kill people and get only three or four years in jail, or where pedophiles are let out of prison time after time to hurt and kill our children - why are police harassing marijuana smokers? We are not hurting or harassing anyone. Wake up, Toronto, and smell the smoke - leave people alone at SARS-Stock and elsewhere. You invited the world to a party in T.O. - don't embarrass the rest of us in Canada by putting on an event worthy of Germany in the 1930s. Show respect for the courts and allow us to smoke our marijuana in peace. We're not complaining about the beer tent and, hey, we may all get the munchies and make food sales a great success. Peace to all, and enjoy the concert. Bill Turner Midland (A weedless Stones' concert? Sacrilege!) 
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on July 28, 2003 at 21:44:42 PT
Just a Comment
This seems to be a good music thread and there just isn't any news currently so I wanted to comment on the Pink Floyd web site. I wanted to mention if you have a good connection the site is really good. They think that people aren't creative that smoke Cannabis. I beg to differ. The Internet is a remarkable experience because of people who reach further and try harder and dream! 
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on July 28, 2003 at 20:34:52 PT
Pink Floyd
If anyone is interested and has a good connection and likes Pink Floyd. Here's some good music.
Pink Floyd - - Darkside of The Moon
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on July 28, 2003 at 20:05:24 PT
afterburner and anyone who has Direct TV
Look what people who have Direct TV can view free this coming month of August. BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS - LIVE AT THE RAINBOWThis newly remastered, classic 1976 show shot at the Rainbow features the reggae superstar and his band at their finest. Includes "I Shot the Sheriff", "Get Up, Stand Up" and more. Don't miss this exclusive DIRECTV® FREEVIEW® event every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August and Labor Day (Sept. 1) on channel 103. http://www.bobmarley.com/ROGER WATERS - THE WALL: LIVE IN BERLINRemixed and remastered for the new DVD release, this historic concert shot in 1990 features the hits "Another Brick in the Wall", "Comfortably Numb" and more, plus numerous special guests. Also included is never-before-seen interview footage. Don't miss this exclusive DIRECTV® FREEVIEW® event every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August and Labor Day (Sept. 1) on channel 103. http://www.universalchronicles.com/TEXAS: 30 ODD FOOT OF GRUNTSA unique concert/documentary of Russell Crowe and his band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, as they rehearse, record and perform. Travel with the band from Sydney to London to Austin, TX. Don't miss this exclusive DIRECTV® FREEVIEW® event every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August and Labor Day (Sept. 1) on channel 103. MP3: http://www.gruntland.com/tofog.htmhttp://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/see/MusicLanding.jsp
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on July 28, 2003 at 19:46:48 PT
Rolling Stones Concert News
Stones Gig To Be Broadcast To Troops OverseasCopyright: 2003 Canadian PressJuly 28, 2003Canadian and American military forces will be able to rock with the Rolling Stones thanks to a broadcast deal signed today.Troops working overseas in places like Afghanistan, Bosnia and Egypt will get to see the 11-hour MuchMoreMusic program, noon to 11 p.m. through the Canadian Forces television network.American soldiers will receive a feed of the two-hour CBC broadcast from 9 to 11 p.m."Hundreds of thousands of American troops in Iraq, Korea, Europe and Japan and elsewhere will have the opportunity to watch this great show," said John McCallum, federal minister of national defence.The British and Australian forces were also being considered for the feed, although there were several technical problems to work out, said McCallum, who along with dozens of politicians will attend Wednesday's show.Concert organizers said they may plan something special for the soldiers watching from abroad."We're delighted to bring some entertainment that they aren't expecting to see into their life in foreign parts of the world," said Steve Howard, of TGA Entertainment, speaking on behalf of the acts performing at Wednesday's concert."I'm now going to figure out a way to organize 400,000 people to give them a nice, warm hello and give them a solid applause."
MuchMoreMusic
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Comment #12 posted by afterburner on July 27, 2003 at 18:05:21 PT:
Sunday's Stones Update
He's with the band.
Jul. 27, 2003. 10:01 AM"On the ground floor of the building where he lives in Parkdale, Jerry Stone opened Stones Place, a nightclub. It is devoted to the rock and roll lifestyle, particularly the most active sexagenarian practitioners of that lifestyle, the Rolling Stones. Murray Whyte explains."  [Full Story] http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059171011333&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154--------------------------------------------------------------------------------On security detail at Woodstock: Seltzer, pies.
Jul. 27, 2003. 01:00 AM"There's much to learn from a conversation with Wavy Gravy, the everlasting hippie clown and activist.A bit about life, and a lot about how cool the '60s and '70s must have been for a free-spirited dude and his crew."  [Full Story] http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059257408169&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Blues skies or grey?
"The stage has been erected and the hotdogs and port-o-potties have been trucked in. You've got your disposable camera, your cell phone and a pocketful of loonies. But do you also need sunscreen or a plastic poncho? Plan ahead with the Star's 4 Day Forecaset." http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?GXHC_gx_session_id_=04418ba948a4ec43&pagename=thestar/Render&c=Page&cid=971188561551
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Comment #11 posted by afterburner on July 26, 2003 at 08:46:55 PT:
CONCERT COUNTDOWN 
 Mick at 60: A new age of aging?  
 Jul. 26, 2003. 01:00 AM  
 "Don't set your watch by Mick Jagger's biological clock. The senior statesman of sin turns 60 today, and where once he defied the establishment, he now defies our popular image of aging. The Star's Christian Cotroneo moves in for a closer look." [Full Story] 
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059171011743&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154*******************Failing sight driving fan on pilgrimage to concert
Jul. 26, 2003. 01:00 AM"On Wednesday, Scott Visser will see the Rolling Stones for the first and last time. He'd always meant to, but just never got around to it. But the stakes are higher now: in a matter of months, Scott Visser will be blind. Chris Hutsul tells the Texas man's poignant story."  [Full Story] http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059171011734&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154*******************Jagger's 60th bash top-secret affair http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059130927335&call_pageid=968867495754&col=968705925735*******************Toilet paper for miles and other Downsview stats http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059042999761&call_pageid=968867495754&col=968705925735
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on July 25, 2003 at 22:16:53 PT
afterburner
I've always been happy having so many choices of programming but it looks like you have a better selection. You're right it ain't no Clear Channel.
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Comment #9 posted by afterburner on July 25, 2003 at 20:30:26 PT:
Moses Znaimer, City-TV Guiding Light&I Wish So Too
We have City-TV(Toronto), City-TV(Vancouver), Cable Pulse 24(news), Bravo(arts), the Space Channel(sci-fi), Access - The Education Channel, Book TV, Canadian Learning, Court TV Canada, Drive-in Classics, Fashion TV, Much Music, Much More Music, Much LOUD, Much Vibe, MusiMax, Musique Plus, Sex TV, Star!, the New VR(Barrie), the New PL(London), the New VI(Victoria, BC), the New NX(Wingham, ON), the New RO(Ottawa), the New WI(Windsor), all owned by CHUM and bearing the stamp of Moses Znaimer's vision. He has embraced the 500 channel universe with good old Canadian content and competition. He also pioneered Speaker's Corner, the Museum of Television, Media Television, the Liveable City, and the Idea Cities Conference, where Marc Emery was one of this year's speakers. This ain't no Clear Channel, baby!
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on July 25, 2003 at 17:35:52 PT
Thanks afterburner
I almost called Direct TV to see where Much More Music went. I'm sure we got that channel at least for a while. I still am not sure if News World International is the CBC. I really wish we were offered more Canadian Channels down here.
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Comment #7 posted by afterburner on July 25, 2003 at 16:04:17 PT:
The Revolution Will Be Televised
Latest News: CBC to broadcast Stones concert
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/07/25/stones_tv030725
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 25, 2003 at 10:56:43 PT
Thank You afterburner
I would love to see the concert. I get NWI and one called FUSE. We had Much More Music but it doesn't look like we still get it.http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/ProgramGuideJagger Celebrates 60th in Prague: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3096607.stm
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Comment #5 posted by afterburner on July 25, 2003 at 10:44:28 PT:
They Just Announced Last Night the TV Arrangements
Much More Music and CBC were both negotiating to cover the event. Much More Music is planning all-day coverage. CBC is planning coverage of the last two hours. Details have not been formally written yet that I can find in The Star, the Globe & Mail, or City-TV. I'll keep looking later.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on July 25, 2003 at 09:26:32 PT
afterburner
I have a question for you about the concert. Is there a way to find out if the program will be taped and made available to the public? I read that at some concerts you can buy a tape of concerts on the site as you leave. Do you know if MTV ( I don't know what the name of your music channel is ) will be carrying the concert live? That would be so very cool. 
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Comment #3 posted by afterburner on July 25, 2003 at 08:49:11 PT:
Friday's Stones Update, the Excitement Is Building
Rolling Stones fans gather day off.  
 Jul. 25, 2003. 07:04 AM  
 "The sign on the door of Vanessa Coulter's hair salon next Wednesday will read 'Gone Rockin'!' as she shuts her business for the day to take in the Rolling Stones concert. Cynthia Lee takes a look." [Full Story] 
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1059084625153&call_pageid=1058350777607&col=1058350777583
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Comment #2 posted by afterburner on July 24, 2003 at 08:06:57 PT:
3 Stories from the Stones Today, Thursday
1. How they get what they want.  
 Jul. 24, 2003. 06:19 AM"Wanted: Two smartly dressed, well-groomed hostesses. The successful applicants will serve food, and ease the weary eyes, of the world's greatest rock group. You'll serve shepherd's pie to Mr. Richards, vintage wine to Mr. Jagger and cranberry juice to Mr. Wood."2. Stones' show will be seen live on TV.
Jul. 24, 2003. 07:18 AM3. Calls swamp phone lines to order reserved parking.
Jul. 24, 2003. 01:00 AMIndex for all 3: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Render&c=Page&cid=1058350777607ego transcendence follows ego destruction, you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 23, 2003 at 19:43:47 PT
Ringo Starr Comments on Marijuana
Here's the part.Starr — dressed, appropriately enough, all in black and white — said he agrees with Canada's plans to decriminalize marijuana, and then bashed England's Royal family."I don't think they're much use any more. You can't be clearer than that, can you?" http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030723.wstarr0723/BNStory/Entertainment/
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