Keith Richards to Play Hubert Sumlin Benefit Show
Chris Jackson, Getty Images
While we wait for definitive word on whether the Rolling Stones will celebrate their 50th anniversary by going on tour this year, we can content ourselves with the band’s ongoing series of ‘official bootleg’ releases — and at least one of the band members is hitting the stage in the near future: Keith Richards, who’s performing at a benefit in honor of recently deceased guitar legend Hubert Sumlin.
Sumlin, an inspiration to and longtime friend of Richards and Mick Jagger, passed away in early December. The benefit show, taking place Feb. 24 at the Apollo Theatre in New York, will feature an all-star lineup that also includes Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Dr. John and Susan Tedeschi. Proceeds will benefit the Jazz Foundation of America.
It sounds like a terrific night of entertainment, all for a worthy cause — and it should keep Keef good and ready to hit the road, if and when the Stones can finalize plans for a tour.
One fan who’s impatient for the band to make an announcement: Ringo Starr, who recently told Spinner, “I hope they put it together and I hope they do a world tour. We all should be out there. If we can play, we should be out there playing, and that’s the deal…I hope the Rolling Stones pull it together and I hope Keith and Mick pull it together and stop squabbling and get out there and do it.”
