Sweden:Guitarist Keith Richards has demanded that two Swedish newspapers apologise to the Rolling Stones and their fans in Sweden for stinging reviews of the band's performance at a concert in Gothenburg.
"Never before have I risen to the bait of a bad review," the veteran rock star said in a statement released yesterday.
"But this time . . . I have to stand up for our incredible Gothenburg audience and for our fans all over Sweden."
A review in the newspaper Expressensaid 63-year-old Richards, renowned for his haggard looks and tales of excess, appeared "very drunk" during the August 3rd performance in Sweden's second-largest city.
Earlier this month, Richards toppled over on stage at another show in Helsinki.
In a statement sent to the newspapers Expressenand Aftonbladetby the group's promoter in Sweden, the British musician said the press had abused its power.
"You have a duty to wield the power of the press with honesty and integrity.
"There were 56,000 people in Ullevi stadium who bought a ticket to our concert - and experienced a completely different show than the one you 'reviewed'."
He added: "How dare you cheapen the experience for them - and for the hundreds of thousands of other people across Sweden who weren't at Ullevi and have only your 'review' to go on."
The statement, a copy of which was provided to Reuters by the promoter, concluded: "Write the truth. It was a good show."
- (Reuters)