Promoted as the band that would celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jazz Fest in New Orleans this year, The Rolling Stones abruptly postponed their 2019 tour, robbing Jazz Fest of a performance by the legendary rockers for which the Fest created an additional day for the festival. It was announced that The Stones have postponed their upcoming tour after a doctor ordered Mick Jagger to continue undergoing medical treatment.
Social media was quickly ablaze with comments speculating on various medical treatments Mick might be receiving and also blaming Jazz Fest for scheduling an iconic rock band with a 75-year-old frontman.
There is no question that one of the major reasons so many people paid extra to see The Rolling Stones is that they are older, and there is always the thought that their next concert may be the last time to see them live.
Over the years, we’ve all heard countless jokes about The Stones continuing to tour as they moved into the demographic of being senior citizens. Ouch!
The social media posts blaming Jazz Fest for promoting The Rolling Stones as a unique Jazz Fest first were not fair. For over 50 years, The Stones have continued touring and Mick Jagger is now a great grandfather; and as long as there was no known indication that Mick was dealing with a health issue that could prevent the band from touring, I don’t think it is fair to blame Jazz Fest.
Everyone who bought tickets at the elevated $185 price to witness The Stones on an extra day knew Mick Jagger was older. In fact, that was the reason many wanted to buy tickets. Blaming Jazz Fest for The Stones’ postponement suggests that concerts are not cancelled or postponed regularly.
A postponed concert is not unique to an aging Mick Jagger. Concerts have been postponed and cancelled because of drugs use, injuries and illnesses; and if a band sets up a tour with the expectation of touring, then it seems unfair to blame the people at Jazz Fest for booking The Rolling Stones.
Jazz Fest now faces what could be the logistical nightmare of refunding tickets or finding a way to honor the tickets purchased with a New Orleans concert to be announced when the band reschedules their tour.
Some of the social media comments directed at Jazz Fest and 75-year-old Mick Jagger were so hateful that I wonder how many of those complaining about The Stones cancelling Jazz Fest actually bought tickets.
I think it is admirable that The Rolling Stones are still touring and that Mick Jagger has remained so active and animated on stage. The aging rockers from the past, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith and many more, are a tribute to the idea that the rock music that defined a generation in the 60s was not the passing fade the establishment deemed it to be at the time. The music and the performers have endured. So, let’s hope for the best for Mick and that The Stones can soon reschedule their tour - which we expect will include New Orleans.