In an interview with The Guardian drummer Charlie Watts reveals: “I don’t want to do it [Glastonbury]. Everyone else does. I don’t like playing outdoors, and I certainly don’t like festivals.” One reason is practical: “The worse thing playing outdoors is when the wind blows, if you’re a drummer, because the cymbals move … it really is hard to play then.”
Singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, on the other hand, put out statements outlining their excitement.
Jagger said: “We had such a great time playing the five concerts last year, we want to keep it going. Hyde Park holds such great memories for us and we can’t think of anywhere better to perform to our UK fans this summer.”
Richards added: “We had such a ball last year and the energy between the band is so good, we can’t wait to get back on that stage where the Stones belong.”
He recently told the BBC that the 1969 Hyde Park appearance 44 years ago seemed like yesterday, although he admitted: “It was a strange gig all round. This was the first gig with Mick Taylor [Jones’ replacement] in the band and we had just lost Brian. It was a real crossed-fingers job.”
Rob Hallet of promoters AEG Live said: “This will be the biggest gig of the summer in London. The Rolling Stones are a true British institution and the true spirit of rock’n’roll. Their return to Hyde Park is a landmark event”