Brett Ferino
03-07-2003, 07:21 AM
TOKYO (Reuters) - Thirty years after their first attempt to perform in Japan was scuttled by Japanese immigration officials, the Rolling Stones are set to "lick" Tokyo's Budokan, which was to be the venue for that ill-fated appearance.
At a Tokyo news conference on Friday, the aging rockers said they were looking forward to finally getting some satisfaction by playing at what is traditionally a martial arts hall.
"This time we'll play at the Budokan, which is smaller and a favorite venue for people," flamboyant lead singer Jagger said.
"We never played there before so we are looking forward to (it)," Jagger added.
In 1973, the Rolling Stones were scheduled to play five shows at the Budokan, but the band had to cancel after Jagger was forbidden entry to the country because of a previous drug possession charge outside Japan.
Japanese authorities allowed Jagger to enter the country for a solo concert in 1988, paving the way for the band's first Japan appearance in 1990 when the British rock band sold out 10 shows and drew more than 400,000 fans.
The Budokan concert on Monday will kick off the Asian leg of the band's "Licks" world tour that will also take the group to China and India for the first time.
The Stones, known for their chart-topping hits such as "Satisfaction" and "Jumping Jack Flash" over a four-decade career, are back in Japan for the first time since 1998 with six shows scheduled.
The Budokan, with a crowd capacity of 10,000, was originally a venue for traditional Japanese martial arts, such as Judo.
The Beatles were the fist rock band to perform there and their appearance in 1966 drew huge protests from Japanese nationalists.
In their past tours in 1995 and 1998, the Stones had some trouble filling stadiums, but they are having fewer such problems this time around, selling out four of the upcoming six shows.
Tickets for the Budokan performance range from 14,000 yen to 22,000 yen ($119.3-$187.5), while stadium shows are ranged between 11,200 to 13,200.
At those prices the concerts will be the most expensive ever for concert goers, topping ticket prices for Paul McCartney's appearances last year.
Guitarist Keith Richards (news) said he also was looking forward to playing the band's next stops in Asia -- China and India.
"It's always nice to go somewhere new. China...is very old," said Richards.
"At the same time it will be our first time there. And also to India -- it's always exciting to play at places you haven't been and it's about time they let us in anyway," Richards said
The iconic British group, including guitarist Ronnie Woodand drummer Charlie Watts, will hold two concerts in India in April and will perform in Beijing on April 4. ($1=117.32 yen)
At a Tokyo news conference on Friday, the aging rockers said they were looking forward to finally getting some satisfaction by playing at what is traditionally a martial arts hall.
"This time we'll play at the Budokan, which is smaller and a favorite venue for people," flamboyant lead singer Jagger said.
"We never played there before so we are looking forward to (it)," Jagger added.
In 1973, the Rolling Stones were scheduled to play five shows at the Budokan, but the band had to cancel after Jagger was forbidden entry to the country because of a previous drug possession charge outside Japan.
Japanese authorities allowed Jagger to enter the country for a solo concert in 1988, paving the way for the band's first Japan appearance in 1990 when the British rock band sold out 10 shows and drew more than 400,000 fans.
The Budokan concert on Monday will kick off the Asian leg of the band's "Licks" world tour that will also take the group to China and India for the first time.
The Stones, known for their chart-topping hits such as "Satisfaction" and "Jumping Jack Flash" over a four-decade career, are back in Japan for the first time since 1998 with six shows scheduled.
The Budokan, with a crowd capacity of 10,000, was originally a venue for traditional Japanese martial arts, such as Judo.
The Beatles were the fist rock band to perform there and their appearance in 1966 drew huge protests from Japanese nationalists.
In their past tours in 1995 and 1998, the Stones had some trouble filling stadiums, but they are having fewer such problems this time around, selling out four of the upcoming six shows.
Tickets for the Budokan performance range from 14,000 yen to 22,000 yen ($119.3-$187.5), while stadium shows are ranged between 11,200 to 13,200.
At those prices the concerts will be the most expensive ever for concert goers, topping ticket prices for Paul McCartney's appearances last year.
Guitarist Keith Richards (news) said he also was looking forward to playing the band's next stops in Asia -- China and India.
"It's always nice to go somewhere new. China...is very old," said Richards.
"At the same time it will be our first time there. And also to India -- it's always exciting to play at places you haven't been and it's about time they let us in anyway," Richards said
The iconic British group, including guitarist Ronnie Woodand drummer Charlie Watts, will hold two concerts in India in April and will perform in Beijing on April 4. ($1=117.32 yen)