Tag: rolling stones
Cuba: First Obama, then Mick Jagger

Cuba: First Obama, then Mick Jagger

The unstoppable transformation of Cuba accelerates this week with the arrival of two of the world’s most famous people: Barack Obama and Mick Jagger.

On Sunday, Obama landed in Havana aboard Air Force One. The first U.S. president to visit the island in 88 years, he’ll meet with Cuban officials and dissidents, and give a speech before a crowd of 1,000 at the Gran Teatro Alicia Alonso.

Jagger and the Rolling Stones, who have their own very nice jet, fly in a few days later to perform a free concert at Ciudad Deportiva. More than 400,000 fans are expected to show up.

Obviously, this is not Fidel Castro’s Cuba anymore.

An American president is being welcomed, and his words are expected to be broadcast directly to the Cuban people. Such a thing was inconceivable not so long ago.

No less historic is the Cuban regime allowing huge throngs to gather and rock out. In the past, such masses were usually assembled to hear one of Fidel’s gruelingly long speeches, or to celebrate some foggy anniversary of the revolution.

On March 6, a huge electronic-dance music concert was staged near the U.S. Embassy on Havana’s waterfront. The headliners were Diplo, a wildly popular American DJ, and his group Major Lazer. News reports estimated the ecstatic crowd at 450,000.

Cuba is opening up, and loosening up. It’s far from being a free country, but the people are finding more freedom in their daily lives.

Thousands still flee because the economy is in shambles, but those who stay are mostly optimistic about the promise of good relations with the United States. I heard this often while I was in Havana in November.

Obama’s visit has been condemned by hardliners in this country, but their day has passed. The U.S. embargo, a stupendous 50-year flop, is destined to be mothballed by a future Congress.

The isolation of Havana is unofficially over. Done.

American tourists are streaming in. Charter flights are packed with Cuban Americans coming to visit relatives. Major airlines are jockeying to schedule daily flights. The cruise lines are locking up harbor space.

And major American banks and companies are lined up and waiting to do business.

Nothing will bring more dramatic change to Cuba than open commerce and contact with the United States. It won’t lead to instant democracy, but the impact on many working people there will be life-changing.

What’s happening now between the two countries was inevitable. Obama has certainly pushed the detente process along but — to steal a line from Jagger and Keith Richards — time was on his side.

Fidel is frail and no longer in command. Most younger Cuban-Americans here favor friendlier relations.

And, not least importantly, major U.S. corporations with heavy political clout are lobbying for trade opportunities.

But even with a flood of U.S. dollars, Cuba will look the same for a long time. Solving its cash crisis and rebuilding its decrepit infrastructure could take decades.

A more intangible change will happen faster, the energy of hope.

Obama’s itinerary in Havana includes meetings with American corporate executives, Cuban entrepreneurs and Cuban Americans whom he has invited on the trip. He’ll also attend a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national team.

The president isn’t scheduled to sit down with Fidel, but he and Raul Castro will meet on Monday for a discussion that will include the serious and prickly subject of human rights.

Cuban citizens who speak out against the communist government still get thrown in jail. It’s naive to think that stern words from Obama, or any foreign leader, will suddenly sway Cuban leaders to be tolerant of dissent.

On the other hand, it’s hard to imagine any new U.S. strategy having less influence on human-rights reform than the embargo has.

Obama’s trip, which culminates with a state dinner at the Revolutionary Palace, is bound to affect the people of Cuba more than the government’s policies. The sight of an American president riding along the Malecon — the very idea of it — must be mind-boggling and surreal, after half a century of estrangement.

For Cubans, long accustomed to disappointment and dashed hopes, their world finally seems to be moving forward.

On Tuesday, they’ll watch Air Force One take off from the island.

And on Friday they’ll go to a sports stadium and listen to Mick Jagger sing about satisfaction, of all things.

Who would have imagined it?

(Carl Hiaasen is a columnist for the Miami Herald. Readers may write to him at: 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla., 33132.)

(c) 2016, The Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Photo: A tour guide (C) raises a Cuban national flag to regroup foreign visitors she is taking through Old Havana March 16, 2016. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini 

Rolling Stones Plan Paris Gig After Postponing Tour Down Under

Rolling Stones Plan Paris Gig After Postponing Tour Down Under

Paris (AFP) – The Rolling Stones Sunday said they will play Paris’ Stade de France in June for the first time since 2007, after postponing a tour Down Under due to the death of Mick Jagger’s girlfriend.

The British band will play a single gig in France’s national stadium in Paris on June 13 as part of their 14 On Fire tour, according to a statement from their French promoter.

The Stones already have a string of dates planned across Europe for June, including in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Italy.

Their promoter said Sunday several more European concerts would shortly be announced for May, June and July.

The news comes after the Stones postponed their tour of Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday after the shock death of Jagger’s girlfriend L’Wren Scott.

The grieving frontman is being comforted by his daughters in Los Angeles after the former model turned fashion designer was found hanged in her luxury apartment on Monday.

The band has promised to reschedule dates in Australia and New Zealand “as soon as possible.”

The iconic rock outfit returned to the stage in late 2012 after years of absence to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a series of concerts in England and the United States.

AFP Photo/Roslan Rahman

Rolling Stones Postpone Dates After Death Of L’Wren Scott

Rolling Stones Postpone Dates After Death Of L’Wren Scott

By Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — The Rolling Stones have thus far postponed a total of seven concert dates after the death of L’Wren Scott, the designer, celebrity stylist and former model who’s long been romantically linked to Stones leader Mick Jagger.

All of the dates are part of the “14 On Fire” tour in Australia and New Zealand, and no rescheduled shows have yet been announced.

Scott was found dead Monday in her New York City apartment. A spokesman for the Rolling Stones singer said Monday that Jagger was “completely shocked and devastated by the news.”

“The Rolling Stones are deeply sorry and disappointed to announce the postponement of the rest of their 14 On Fire tour of Australia and New Zealand following the death of L’Wren Scott,” the band posted Tuesday on its website.

The site says that a new round of dates for Australia and New Zealand is “presently being worked on.” Ticket holders are advised to hold onto their tickets until further notice.

“Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood wish to thank all of their fans for their support at this difficult time and hope that they will fully understand the reason for this announcement,” the statement continued.

Earlier Tuesday morning, a photo with a heartfelt tribute to Scott was posted on Jagger’s official Facebook page. “I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way,” the post reads.

“We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves. She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me. I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received. I will never forget her,” the post concludes.

The band’s next scheduled date now is June 7 at the Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands. The Stones have dates scheduled through June.

AFP Photo/Larry Busacca