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The Rolling Stones’ 1972 US tour wasn’t merely the biggest musical event of the year; it redefined the modern rock tour as we know it, both in spectacle and debauchery… and risk. This was the band’s first trip to the States since the deadly disaster at Altamont in ’69. The bruise left by that show put a target on the bands’ back—particularly Mick Jagger—who became the pariah not only for conservative America, but the Hell’s Angels as well. As the World’s Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band swept across the country in limos and private jets, the question loomed large on everyone’s mind: Would someone try to assassinate Mick Jagger?

The Rolling Stones’ 1972 US tour wasn’t merely the biggest musical event of the year; it redefined the modern rock tour as we know it, both in spectacle and debauchery… and risk. This was the band’s first trip to the States since the deadly disaster at Altamont in ’69. The bruise left by that show put a target on the bands’ back—particularly Mick Jagger—who became the pariah not only for conservative America, but the Hell’s Angels as well. As the World’s Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band swept across the country in limos and private jets, the question loomed large on everyone’s mind: Would someone try to assassinate Mick Jagger?

In the summer of 1972, the Rolling Stones swept across an America still smoldering from the tumult of the ‘60s, bringing their gritty masterpiece Exile on Main St. to the masses. Rolling Stone magazine journalist Robert Greenfield was along for the ride, writing the seminal rock book STP (Stones Touring Party) — culled from weeks on the road and more than 60 hours of interviews with the band and their entourage. Now, for the first time, Greenfield and fellow STP vet Gary Stromberg share that tape archive, allowing listeners to sit in on intimate chats with the Stones in their prime. Written and hosted by Jordan Runtagh, with original music by Noel Brown and Mykal Alder June,Stones Touring Party is an all-access pass to the sights, sounds, riots, bombings, drug busts, death threats and other assorted mayhem from this pivotal moment in American history.

In the summer of 1972, the Rolling Stones swept across an America still smoldering from the tumult of the ‘60s, bringing their gritty masterpiece Exile on Main St. to the masses. Rolling Stone magazine journalist Robert Greenfield was along for the ride, writing the seminal rock book STP (Stones Touring Party) — culled from weeks on the road and more than 60 hours of interviews with the band and their entourage. Now, for the first time, Greenfield and fellow STP vet Gary Stromberg share that tape archive, allowing listeners to sit in on intimate chats with the Stones in their prime. Written and hosted by Jordan Runtagh, with original music by Noel Brown and Mykal Alder June, Stones Touring Party is an all-access pass to the sights, sounds, riots, bombings, drug busts, death threats and other assorted mayhem from this pivotal moment in American history.

Stones Touring Party

ONE: America in Flames, Stones in the Crosshairs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/21f107cc-2e76-40a1-ac89-b051014f7337/transcript

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After a wild two-month tear through North America, the Stones play the last gig of the STP tour at NYC's Madison Square Garden. Their entourage work overtime to ensure that it's the craziest rock show to ever hit the Big Apple. After their final bows, the band is exhausted. What's more, they're disheartened by the overly glitzy showbiz crowd that turns up at their tour wrap party, which doubles as Jagger's 29th birthday. As they come to grips with aging, they also grapple with their gradual drift towards the mainstream. The STP trek birthed the modern rock tour, but it also hastened the Stones' transformation from a rock band to a business venture. The bonds that kept the motley 40-person crew together evaporate and everyone goes their separate ways. Reintegration into everyday life is lonely and confusing, and everyone copes in different ways as they struggle to make sense of the life-altering experience they'd just shared — one that could never be duplicated. 

After a wild two-month tear through North America, the Stones play the last gig of the STP tour at NYC's Madison Square Garden. Their entourage work overtime to ensure that it's the craziest rock show to ever hit the Big Apple. After their final bows, the band is exhausted. What's more, they're disheartened by the overly glitzy showbiz crowd that turns up at their tour wrap party, which doubles as Jagger's 29th birthday. As they come to grips with aging, they also grapple with their gradual drift towards the mainstream. The STP trek birthed the modern rock tour, but it also hastened the Stones' transformation from a rock band to a business venture. The bonds that kept the motley 40-person crew together evaporate and everyone goes their separate ways. Reintegration into everyday life is lonely and confusing, and everyone copes in different ways as they struggle to make sense of the life-altering experience they'd just shared — one that could never be duplicated.

TWELVE: The End of the Road in New York City

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/71a6eb78-3abd-4f8d-b806-b0ad0180e7a2/transcript

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The Stones organization is rocked to its core when terrorists bomb one of the band's equipment vans in Montreal. The STP squad are relieved to make it out of Canada alive, but they soon discover that their problems are just beginning. The flight to Boston for that night's concert is diverted to Rhode Island due to bad weather. Already late, Mick and Keith get arrested at the airport after a scuffle with a photographer. With 18,000 rowdy fans ready and waiting at the Boston Garden, a riot seems imminent — until they get a hand from a higher power. 

The Stones organization is rocked to its core when terrorists bomb one of the band's equipment vans in Montreal. The STP squad are relieved to make it out of Canada alive, but they soon discover that their problems are just beginning. The flight to Boston for that night's concert is diverted to Rhode Island due to bad weather. Already late, Mick and Keith get arrested at the airport after a scuffle with a photographer. With 18,000 rowdy fans ready and waiting at the Boston Garden, a riot seems imminent — until they get a hand from a higher power.

ELEVEN: Bombings, Busts, and Boston Burning

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2ab23007-9cab-4789-9ecb-b0a6013c6967/transcript

The STP tour has hit the midway point, and the Stones & Co struggle to stave off boredom and madness as a result of the destabilizing daily grind. Some blow off steam by deconstructing their hotel rooms, while others get lost in gratuitous sex. Drugs are a frequent refuge, which wreaks havoc on the physical and mental health of many. The tour starts to seem like a cult, with members feeling increasingly isolated from the world outside and everyday reality in general. With tempers shortened by exhaustion, tedium and drug use, tour mates feud with fellow rock star road warriors — and also each other. Ultimately, a savage beating requires an impromptu trial (with Mick Jagger as the judge!) to affirm law and order within this wild roving pirate nation. 

The STP tour has hit the midway point, and the Stones &amp; Co struggle to stave off boredom and madness as a result of the destabilizing daily grind. Some blow off steam by deconstructing their hotel rooms, while others get lost in gratuitous sex. Drugs are a frequent refuge, which wreaks havoc on the physical and mental health of many. The tour starts to seem like a cult, with members feeling increasingly isolated from the world outside and everyday reality in general. With tempers shortened by exhaustion, tedium and drug use, tour mates feud with fellow rock star road warriors — and also each other. Ultimately, a savage beating requires an impromptu trial (with Mick Jagger as the judge!) to affirm law and order within this wild roving pirate nation.

TEN: Sex, Drugs and Motel Mayhem in the Midwest

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ba45735e-f411-42b7-a6af-b09f0140f40e/transcript

ONE: America in Flames, Stones in the Crosshairs

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