People who were hoping that the Rolling Stones would tour in 2011 will have to wait. As I've mentioned in a previous report, all the recent signs were indicating that the Stones were not going to tour in 2011. Now the band has made it official by releasing a major statement that not only reiterates that the band has no tour plans at this time but also reveals a huge change in the Stones' touring business that had not previously been made public: The band has parted ways with Michael Cohl, who was the Rolling Stones' concert promoter since the band's "Steel Wheels" tour that began in 1989.
On February 2, 2011, the Rolling Stones' publicist released this statement to Pollstar, the leading U.S. news outlet for the concert industry:
In light of recent reports surrounding the ‘breach of contract’ court case in America between Live Nation Entertainment and former Live Nation chairman Michael Cohl, the Rolling Stones wish to clarify their position regarding representation and touring.
Following the end of the 2007 'A Bigger Bang' world tour, the Rolling Stones became free from any contractual arrangements or agreements with Michael Cohl. He is neither their representative nor their tour promoter. Also the Stones confirmed today they have no firm plans to tour at this time.
The Rolling Stones have recently secured a worldwide merchandizing agreement with Bravado Inc. and in 2008 signed a new global record deal with Universal Music.
As previously reported, Cohl is involved in a contentious lawsuit over his exit agreement with former employer Live Nation, the giant music corporation whose business includes promotion of live entertainment, as well as merchandising and recording deals with select artists. Cohl was chairman of Live Nation from 2007 to 2008. Live Nation sued Cohl for $5.35 million in November 2010, claiming that he owed Live Nation money as part of the company's settlement deal with Cohl.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cohl is countersuing Live Nation, with Cohl claiming that Live Nation promised that the company would not compete against Cohl for the rights to promote the next Rolling Stones tour, which Cohl says was planned for 2011. The Hollywood Reporter article stated: "The Rolling Stones tour later this year is expected to be one of the biggest in concert history. It's the 50th anniversary for the band, which through the years has enjoyed a number of financially lucrative tours."
It appears The Hollywood Reporter got its facts wrong about the next Stones tour.The article incorrectly stated that 2011 is the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones, when in fact, 2012 is the band's 50th anniversary. More importantly, with this new statement from the band, it is now fairly obvious that there will be no Rolling Stones tour in 2011.
Since the band's statement also makes it clear that the Rolling Stones are no longer doing business with Cohl and that he does not represent the band in any way, it looks as if the band may be working with another concert promoter for the next Stones tour.
February 3, 2011 update: The Rolling Stones' official Facebook page has posted this statement: "Some of you may have been made aware of the news stories concerning us touring and Live Nation. We wanted you to know directly that we have no current dealings with Live Nation and to date no news on touring. We can however confirm that you will be amongst the first to know if there is any tour news - watch this space!!"
Comments