The Rolling Stones are celebrating their 50th anniversary today (July 12, 2012), with guitarist Keith Richards confirming the iconic rock band are back in rehearsals for a possible world tour. Rumours have been steadily trickling in for months as to the band's plans for a comeback, though it seems fans can already forget about the Olympics, and Glastonbury.
The Stones were briefly rumoured to be appearing at either the Olympics opening or closing ceremony, though the band's people have already rubbished that speculation. Perhaps more interesting was the Sunday Mirror's report that the legends would retire with their first and last performance as Glastonbury, when the festival returns in 2013. A source had told the newspaper, "All four members have agreed that next year is the right time to have one final hurrah and put on the gig of their lives. It's a case of now or never, and obviously Glastonbury is the most important festival on the circuit. Everybody's incredibly excited . it's a final bow". However, when the UK's Guardian newspaper contacted the band's representatives to check the veracity of the story, they insisted there is no truth to the claims and that they would not be playing at Worthy Farm. Glastonbury organizer Michael Eavis has made no secret of his desire to land the Stones, and Glastonbury's press office still refused to rule out the booking saying, "Everybody in the year off thinks they've come up with the perfect Glastonbury line-up. But at the moment there isn't anything to confirm or deny"
With their penchant for all-out, over-the-top world tours, The Rolling Stones are much more likely to eschew the festivals and head out on their own trek across the world.