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The Rolling Stones in the press: “Stones Fever Sweeps North”
The Rolling Stones’ STP Tour in 1972 wasn’t just a tour—it was pure rock and roll chaos on wheels. Promoting the Exile on Main St. album, the band stormed through the U.S. like outlaws, leaving behind a trail of sold-out arenas, trashed hotel rooms, and enough excess to make even the wildest rock stars blush.
Mick Jagger, in his prime, strutted across the stage like a man possessed, while Keith Richards somehow managed to stay upright despite his legendary intake of substances. Add in Mick Taylor’s soaring solos, Charlie Watts’ rock-solid drumming, and Bill Wyman just doing his thing, and you had a band operating at peak power. The setlists were stacked—Brown Sugar, Tumbling Dice, Gimme Shelter—a relentless attack of classics.
Offstage, the STP (Stones Touring Party) certainly lived up to its wild reputation. The tour wasn’t just about the music—it was an all-out rock and roll adventure. Private jets? Check. Groupies? Absolutely. Run-ins with the police? More than a few. And let’s not forget the staggering amounts of illicit substances, as if the band had a personal supply bigger than your local pharmacy. It wasn’t just a tour; it was a full-on endurance test for everyone involved.
The Stones were pushing every limit, and their escapades caught the attention of more than just their fans. Even the U.S. government took a keen interest, watching their every move with the kind of scrutiny typically reserved for international criminals. Through it all, the band remained unfazed, soaking up the chaos and living out the ultimate rock star lifestyle.
By the end of it, the Stones had cemented their status as the greatest rock and roll band in the world, proving that debauchery and brilliance could, in fact, go hand in hand. Stones fever? Most likely!
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