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| CS |
January 7, 2003
'It's cold, baby,' says Rolling Stones' Keith Richards during Montreal visit
MONTREAL (CP) -- "Yeah! It's cold, baby!"
That was the terse exclamation from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards as he was rushed past ecstatic fans into a dark van outside the posh Le St. James hotel on Tuesday.
But Richards' exposure to the frigid Montreal weather was minimal compared with that of about a dozen fans, who waited for up to three hours to catch their glimpse of rock royalty.
Drummer Charlie Watts, guitarist Richards, singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Ron Wood -- in that order -- were shuttled into separate waiting vehicles prior to a rehearsal at the Bell Centre. They're scheduled to stage a sold-out concert at the venue on Wednesday night.
Jagger had a scarf wrapped around his neck while Wood and Watts wore long, dark coats and grimaced in the -10 C weather.
Richards wore a short, green army jacket, a black beret and silver shades -- not exactly appropriate attire for January in Quebec.
The brief but dramatic Stones appearance was well worth the wait, said Montrealer Francois Perron, 34. He scored a Watts autograph, scribbled on a front-page newspaper photo of Wood signing Perron's Stones album cover Monday night at the exact same spot -- in front of the hotel.
"It was worth it," said a shivering Perron.
"I've received autographs from Charlie Watts and Ron Wood.
"You definitely must be a fan, for sure, but the Stones, it's something different."
The group of hard-core fans huddled together outside the hotel earlier in the day, surrounded by several reporters. The autograph-seekers clutched calendars, album box sets and a guitar.
A tanned man in a Land Rover pulled up to the hotel, ran inside, and emerged a few minutes later after apparently picking up tickets.
Three older women, one with white hair, left their nearby office to try to catch a glimpse of the rock legends earlier Tuesday.
One of the women wearing a faux fur coat screamed, "Where's Mick?"
He wasn't there.
Aside from the quick hotel exit on Tuesday, it has been mighty difficult to spot the aging rock stars anywhere in town this week.
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| CS |
I think this is more complete:
Canadian Press
MONTREAL � "Yeah! It's cold, baby!" That was the terse exclamation from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards as he was rushed past ecstatic fans into a dark van outside the posh Le St. James hotel on Tuesday.
But Richards' exposure to the frigid Montreal weather was minimal compared with that of about a dozen fans, who waited for up to three hours to catch their glimpse of rock royalty. Drummer Charlie Watts, guitarist Richards, singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Ron Wood - in that order - were shuttled into separate waiting vehicles prior to a rehearsal at the Bell Centre. They're scheduled to stage a sold-out concert at the venue on Wednesday night.
Jagger had a scarf wrapped around his neck while Wood and Watts wore long, dark coats and grimaced in the -10 C weather.
Richards wore a short, green army jacket, a black beret and silver shades - not exactly appropriate attire for January in Quebec.
The brief but dramatic Stones appearance was well worth the wait, said Montrealer Francois Perron, 34. He scored a Watts autograph, scribbled on a front-page newspaper photo of Wood signing Perron's Stones album cover Monday night at the exact same spot - in front of the hotel.
"It was worth it," said a shivering Perron.
"I've received autographs from Charlie Watts and Ron Wood.
"You definitely must be a fan, for sure, but the Stones, it's something different."
The group of hard-core fans huddled together outside the hotel earlier in the day, surrounded by several reporters. The autograph-seekers clutched calendars, album box sets and a guitar.
A tanned man in a Land Rover pulled up to the hotel, ran inside, and emerged a few minutes later after apparently picking up tickets.
Three older women, one with white hair, left their nearby office to try to catch a glimpse of the rock legends earlier Tuesday.
One of the women wearing a faux fur coat screamed, "Where's Mick?"
He wasn't there.
Aside from the quick hotel exit on Tuesday, it has been mighty difficult to spot the aging rock stars anywhere in town this week.
There were unconfirmed reports that Wood was sighted eating dinner at the city's Old Port district on Monday night. But the media-heavy crowd gathered to view Wood's artwork at the Just-for-Laughs Museum got no satisfaction - the guitarist was a no-show.
Raynald Michaud, director of the museum, had assured reporters that Wood would appear at the museum at some point - but he said he hadn't spoken to him and didn't know when he would show up.
"We were expecting him yesterday (Monday) but he was in rehearsal," said Michaud.
"That will be the legend and the mystery," he added with a smile.
Fans hoping to get inside the hotel to meet their heroes were out of luck this week.
Security has been tight, and the legendary rock band has booked all 61 rooms in the posh hotel.
Doormen were polite but steadfast in their refusal to admit anyone not associated with the band.
Inside, employees could be seen scurrying around amidst the buzz surrounding the group's four-day stay.
Guy Luzy, general manager of Le St. James, said Tuesday the band's stay promises to be one of most lucrative weeks in the brief history of the five-star hotel.
"Right now, the customers are very satisfied, so that's important," said Luzy, whose hotel opened last May and has quickly become known for its opulent accommodations.
"We need them to speak about us everywhere they go. That's the best advertising."
Rooms at the hotel don't come cheap - they start at $400 a night for a basic room and can cost up to $6,000 a night for an apartment-sized suite.
Not that the Stones, whose 1994 Voodoo Lounge tour grossed $124 million US, would complain about the bill.
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| nankerphelge |
"Three older women, one with white hair, left their nearby office to try to catch a glimpse of the rock legends earlier Tuesday.
One of the women wearing a faux fur coat screamed, "Where's Mick?"
----
Luxury1, perhaps?????
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| Martha |
Thanks for posting this one CS...and for all the newsy items you post..I really appreciate it! |
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| jb |
Why do they do interviews if they have nothing to say...this was pure bullshit w/ no pertinent info..not even a definitive answer about guest stars or Wyman playing a gig...very disappointing..should not have been posted. |
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