AndyK
23 Aug 2007, 16:34
Looks like The Stones are still rebelling in their old age :lmao:
From The Daily Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/23/nstones123.xml)
The Rolling Stones will not be prosecuted despite repeatedly flouting the smoking ban during their first concert on home soil since the new law.
Although Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood lit up time after time on stage at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday night, Greenwich borough council said nothing could be done because fans at the 23,000-capacity venue had not objected.
The council said it had warned them not to smoke on stage.
Tony Harrison, 46, from Southampton, Hants, said: "Ronnie played with a fag hanging out of his mouth as usual.
"Meanwhile Keith lit up time after time. It's what they have always done and it seems the new law is not going to change that.
"They may be older but I guess their sense of rebellion is still there if they are still defying the law."
Tuesday's concert was the first of three nights at the O2 at the conclusion of their Bigger Bang world tour.
The band had been warned they faced a £50 penalty every time they lit up, but with tickets selling at up to £150 each, this was unlikely to have been of great concern.
The venue could also be fined £2,500 for failing to stop them.
After the show, a Greenwich spokesman said: "We have reminded the O2 of their obligation to enforce the smoking legislation. We are satisfied with the assurances they have provided that this will not recur."
Under the new laws some performers are allowed to smoke on stage, "where the artistic integrity of a performance makes it appropriate for a person to smoke".
But officials said the Stones did not fall into this category.
From The Daily Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/23/nstones123.xml)
The Rolling Stones will not be prosecuted despite repeatedly flouting the smoking ban during their first concert on home soil since the new law.
Although Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood lit up time after time on stage at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday night, Greenwich borough council said nothing could be done because fans at the 23,000-capacity venue had not objected.
The council said it had warned them not to smoke on stage.
Tony Harrison, 46, from Southampton, Hants, said: "Ronnie played with a fag hanging out of his mouth as usual.
"Meanwhile Keith lit up time after time. It's what they have always done and it seems the new law is not going to change that.
"They may be older but I guess their sense of rebellion is still there if they are still defying the law."
Tuesday's concert was the first of three nights at the O2 at the conclusion of their Bigger Bang world tour.
The band had been warned they faced a £50 penalty every time they lit up, but with tickets selling at up to £150 each, this was unlikely to have been of great concern.
The venue could also be fined £2,500 for failing to stop them.
After the show, a Greenwich spokesman said: "We have reminded the O2 of their obligation to enforce the smoking legislation. We are satisfied with the assurances they have provided that this will not recur."
Under the new laws some performers are allowed to smoke on stage, "where the artistic integrity of a performance makes it appropriate for a person to smoke".
But officials said the Stones did not fall into this category.