Rolling Stones Gorilla Logo Artist Slams Critics

Walton Ford offering limited-edition etching of widely seen gorilla logo

A limited-edition etching of the Rolling Stones gorilla logo by artist Walton Ford.

PK SHOP

By Patrick Doyle

August 5, 2013 12:30 PM ET

When the Rolling Stones were organizing their 50^th anniversary celebrations, Mick Jagger approached his friend, contemporary artist Walton Ford – who has made a career painting naturalist scenes – to design a logo. In the Seventies spirit of the National Lampoon magazine and "grotesque underground comics," Ford repurposed one of his sympathetic paintings of King Kong, adding the band’s famous tongue-and-lips logo. "I saw the Rolling Stones as a sort of silverback,” Ford tells Rolling Stone. “All the metaphors of King Kong and all of that are applicable – their kind of enormity of their accomplishment over the period of 50 years.”

The band loved the image. “The irreverence of Walton Ford’s imagery captured the spirit of the tour,” they said in a statement. They used it on the cover of their 50^th anniversary compilation GRRR!, and in marketing their massive "50 and Counting" tour, at one point displaying the piece at 50 locations around the world.

But some fans weren’t as excited about the logo. “A lot of people didn’t like it at all,” Ford says. “That was good. I was glad that they didn’t like it. I mean, the last people who I wanted to please were Rolling Stones fans.” 

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Ford continues, “They are really nasty. It’s a general rule they have a fan base that just seem to be always angry at the Rolling Stones for a lot of reasons. They’ve got their own grudges. I shouldn’t say that I didn’t really care. I probably did care, but when the Rolling Stones were doing their best work, they were a step ahead of the people that loved them so much. I thought, ‘How cool that I get an opportunity to piss their fans off?'"
The logo is now for sale as a limited-edition etching of 100 signed and numbered by Ford, available at the Paul Kasmin Shop. “They are really beautiful,”  says Ford, who has made a practice of creating etchings for the last decade. “I just go and work at this print shop and we use all the old tools that were used by Rembrandt, you know, this is a very ancient technique of marking on copper plate and making prints by hand. It seemed appropriate to do sort of an anachronistic tribute print to the 50^th..”
The piece doesn't come cheap though; it costs $7,500. “It’s just this is going to be an elitist, kind of expensive thing because the processes are expensive," says Ford, who's still buzzing about the experience. "I was born in 1960 and I had an older brother who collected records. The Rolling Stones were pretty much it for us growing up. That’s what we aspired to be – that sort of attitude."

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Rolling Stones Song Featured in Trailer for Robert De Niro’s ‘The Family’

by Jeff Giles 

 

Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and the Mafia. Every movie buff knows they’re ingredients that have been mixed together more than a few times, but it’s (almost) always a worthwhile combination.
The trio is reunited once again in the upcoming film ‘The Family,’ which stars De Niro as a mob boss who’s sent into witness protection after snitching on his “family.” Problem is, his family (played by Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianna Agron and John D’Leo) are all sociopaths, and they end up in trouble wherever they go, much to the chagrin of the exasperated agent in charge of keeping them safe (Tommy Lee Jones).
Directed by Luc Besson (‘The Fifth Element’) and executive produced by Scorsese, ‘The Family’ plays on movie fans’ expectations for a film including these familiar characteristics before subverting them with a blend of black comedy and violent action. In fact, the trailer’s opening moments intentionally mimic De Niro and Scorsese’s greatest hits, right down to featuring the Rolling Stones on the soundtrack. As De Niro reflects on life in the mob and remembers the good times, you hear the Stones’ ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’ and wonder if you might be in for a gritty, ‘Casino’-type drama.
That’s far from the case — check out the rest of the trailer for an idea of the wild blend of tones Besson attempts to pull off here — but it’s always fun to see stars acknowledge their past baggage in a humorous way. ‘The Family’ is due for theatrical release on Sept. 20.

YES.!

Album Review: The Rolling Stones – Hyde Park Live

By Mike Madden 

There’s that Almost Famous scene in which the pushy antagonist Dennis Hope (played by a 25-year-old Jimmy Fallon) is trying to persuade Stillwater, at the heretofore height of their career, to let him be their manager. He says this period, summer ’73-ish, is a crucial one for the band, and that they should be taking advantage of every opportunity they get, which is of course where he comes in. To illustrate his point, he says that “if you think you’re going to see Mick Jagger trying to be a rock star at age 50” – he does this weird shimmy, a move decidedly unlike Jagger – “you are sadly, sadly mistaken.” Almost Famous was released in 2000, when in real time The Rolling Stones‘ frontman was 57. Jagger turned 70 last Friday and was just short of the septuagenarian life when Hyde Park Live, an iTunes-only release, was recorded earlier this month. Unlike the 72-year-old Bob Dylan, who is a different story altogether, mobility-wise, Jagger is very much capable of exhibiting all the affability and surging energy we expect from our biggest frontmen. This is one of the main points hammered home on Hyde Park, that the Stones as a live concern are still a mass-culture spectacle not much less exciting than they were four decades ago.
“How many of you were here in 1969?” Jagger asks at one point, referring to the famous show at Hyde Park attended by 200,000 or so fans. That was Mick Taylor’s first show with the band, and the Stones have brought the guitarist back to add to what was clearly supposed to be an especially commemorative gig (Bobby Keys, who added his muscular though nimble tenor sax playing to Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main St., among other Stones LPs, is also here). For the most part, the album sounds like a show for the books, too. Especially compared to 2008’s Shine a Light, which featured deepish cuts like “Connection” as well as a cover of Muddy Waters’ “Champagne and Reefer”, the song selection here couldn’t be more boring. But fortunately, this is a band whose best cuts are also their best-known cuts, so while all of these songs but one (“Doom and Gloom”, the band’s 2012 single) are standards, this is one of the strongest sets they could have assembled.
Some of the most fulfilling moments here are the bloated passages, while many of the other successful changes are the very minor tweaks. The version of “Midnight Rambler” here is 12 minutes long including the brief break in the middle, and the extended length helps it take on extra weight in light of the recent developments in the case of Albert DeSalvo, the serial killer who inspired the song. “Honky Tonk Women” also, including open-G guitar work. In terms of minutia that goes a long way, there’s the Bee Gees-conjuring falsetto Jagger tries on for “Emotional Rescue” and the loudness of the piano parts, which here sound like a few of the most essential in rock history. Except for, like whatever resulted in the off-time cowbell during the “Honky Tonk Women” intro, no dubious decisions were made in the process of recording this album.
As for Jagger and his run at gaining the title of England’s top frontman in the 70-or-older division? His voice has aged well, and his comedic banter is perfectly timed and clearly delivered. You can also hear plenty of joy in his voice during “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”. It’s maybe the most-quoted Stones song ever, yet Jagger delivers every line with so much enthusiasm it’s like it’s 1969 and he still has to convince you of its power. Indeed, that’s another point made by the close of Hyde Park’s fast two hours: No matter how many times they’ve played these songs, sung these lines, picked these riffs, this is music that will resonate for decades still thanks in no small part to the verve with which they’re performed.

Mick Taylor discusses reuniting with Rolling Stones for '50 and Counting' shows

BY: CARLA HAY

So far, the shows (which are in celebration of the Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary) have only been in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. There were also two "warm-up" concerts (one public, one private) at small venues in Paris before the tour started. There has been ongoing speculation that the Rolling Stones will announce more tour dates in 2013. Until an official announcement is made, it will continue to be speculation.
Taylor quit the Rolling Stones shortly before the band's 1975 tour. Ronnie Wood ("on loan" from the Faces) replaced Taylor on the tour. After the Faces broke up, Wood became a permanent member of the Rolling Stones.
For years, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards would insult Taylor in interviews because he said it was unforgivable for Taylor to quit the Stones. But in 2011, Richards mended his relationship with Taylor, who was invited to be part of a London jam session with the band in December of that year. Former Rolling Stones bass player Bill Wyman was also invited to be a part of the sessions. Photos and video footage from those sessions have not been made public.

Picture - Ronnie Wood, Orange Wellies and Wellington Boots at Glastonbury Festival Ronnie Wood, Orange Wellies and Wellington Boots - This year Small Steps were the smallest charity at the Glastonbury Festival, but it still managed to get shoes from celebrities in attendance such as Rita Ora, Professor Green, Kate Nash, Kenny Rogers, B. Traits and Seasick Steve, with more still to come from acts including Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, Example, Iggy Azalea and Jake Bugg. - United Kingdom - Thursday 1st August 2013...

Picture - Ronnie Wood, Orange Wellies and Wellington Boots at Glastonbury Festival

Ronnie Wood, Orange Wellies and Wellington Boots - This year Small Steps were the smallest charity at the Glastonbury Festival, but it still managed to get shoes from celebrities in attendance such as Rita Ora, Professor Green, Kate Nash, Kenny Rogers, B. Traits and Seasick Steve, with more still to come from acts including Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, Example, Iggy Azalea and Jake Bugg. - United Kingdom

Rolling Stones Score Their 50th Chart Entry....

Rolling Stones Score Their 50th Chart Entry

by Ken Kelley

 

Ian Gavan, Getty Images

The Rolling Stones’ “50 and Counting” tour has resulted in yet another milestone for the legendary rock group. In an interesting bit of symmetry, their ‘Hyde Park Live’ album is their 50th album to reach the Billboard 200 chart.
The magazine is reporting that the 19-track set, culled from their live shows at London’s Hyde Park on July 6 and 13, debuted in the No. 19 spot this week. This marks the group’s 45th Top 40 chart entry on the chart. The Stones’ Hyde Park shows were among the last live shows of the Stones’ “50 and Counting Tour” which wound its way through North America earlier this year.
Only a limited amount of groups can lay claim to have placed as many or more albums in the Top 40. With 45 Top 40 chart entries, The Stones are comfortably ahead of Bob Dylan and The Beatles, each of whom respectively have 43 and 39 Top 40 Albums. Only three acts have more Top 40 albums than the Stones: Barbara Streisand (50), Elvis Presley (52) and Frank Sinatra (56).
Given the fact that The Rolling Stones are still going relatively strong, they could very well eclipse Sinatra’s record before the sun sets on their illustrious career.

Ian McLagan Says He'll Appear in Upcoming Keith Richards Documentary...

  Ian McLagan Says He'll Appear in Upcoming Keith Richards Documentary

Theresa DiMenno; Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesIan McLagan is best known as the founding keyboardist of The Small Faces and The Faces, but the acclaimed rocker also spent some time as a sideman with The Rolling Stones.  That association apparently has led to his involvement in a new documentary about Keith Richards that movie star Johnny Depp is directing.
In a recent interview with ABC News Radio, McLagan explains that Richards had called him up a few months back and asked him to fly to Los Angeles to take part in the movie.
"We went to [Depp's] house and were filmed recording with Keith, all day, and we cut three tracks," Ian reports.  "And Keith was in great shape, great spirits."

The 68-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer reveals that the songs they recorded included new renditions of the Keith-sung Stones classics "Happy" and "You Got the Silver," as well as a brand-new Richards composition.  McLagan says the new tune is "really, really strong" and describes it as "a real dark song, a bit of a country song."  He adds that Keith told him that the tune was inspired by the influential country duo The Louvin Brothers.
McLagan also says he really enjoyed getting the chance to pal around with Keith again.  "We just, like, looked at each other and laughed," he recalls.  "And we just had our arm around each other chatting.  It was just so lovely."
As for his take on Depp and the actor's friendship with Richards, Ian says, "Johnny Depp's like his son…he's the next Keith Richards, and he's such a sweet guy."

McLagan recently completed a 36-date solo tour, and he's planning to release a new studio album titled United States with his group The Bump Band soon.  In addition, he tells ABC News Radio that he'll be appearing on upcoming albums by country star Jennifer Nettles and young U.K. rocker Jake Bugg.  Check out the latest news on Ian at IanMcLagan.com and Facebook.com/IanMcLaganAndTheBumpBand.

Picture - Patti Hansen, Alexandra Richards, Ella Richards, Theodora Richards and Keith Richards

Patti Hansen, Alexandra Richards, Ella Richards, Theodora Richards and Keith Richards - The Film Society of Lincoln Center and AMC celebration of 'Breaking Bad' final episodes at The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theatre - New York City, NY, United States Thurday1st-August 2013

- Rolling Stones Land Vodka Tribute

by WENN

The Rolling Stones have landed a major vodka tribute, courtesy of celebrity fan Dan Aykroyd.
To mark the band's 50th anniversary, the Blues Brothers star and his partners at beverage company Crystal Head have dedicated a limited edition glass skull bottle of their acclaimed vodka to the group.
The fearsome head, designed by acclaimed artist and sculptor John Alexander, comes in a black case with "The Rolling Stones Fifty Years" and the band's famous tongue logo emblazoned on the front.
Aykroyd says, "We did this because we felt we had to celebrate the Stones' 50th anniversary. Keith (Richards) is a friend of ours and and this was something we did to just recognise the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world.
"We have our award-winning vodka, we have Cds that were picked by Mick (Jagger)... He picked live performance tracks."
But not everyone in America can get their hands on the Stones package, which comes with a glass stopper for the bottle that features an etching of the Stones' logo - it has been banned in New York state.
The actor explains, "It's because New York state has these laws... They (lawmakers) don't like people selling liquor and putting incentives in... They don't like, sort of, value added things."
Not all the Stones will be sampling their new vodka - guitarist Ronnie Wood is sober after successfully battling alcohol issues throughout his career.