The Stones in Havana: Who paid for that “free” concert?

[Judi Lynn]

The Stones in Havana: Who paid for that “free” concert?

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Sabina Becker



Coño, indeed.

Now that all the dust has settled after the Stones oh-so-historically played in Havana, it’s time to start asking some hard questions about their “free” concert. After all, Mick Jagger is a notorious greedyguts; he’s even been known to stiff the ladies of paid company when purchasing their services. It’s hard to imagine him doing anything out of the goodness of his little puny heart, which makes the Grinch’s pre-epiphany ticker look downright gargantuan. There’s about as much goodness in a dried-up dog turd. So, let’s follow the money with El Confidencial:

The “who”, “when” and “where” have been the centre of attention for weeks. The Rolling Stones would perform at the Ciudad Deportiva de La Habana on March 25 before an audience of an estimated half-million spectators. Those are the facts which the news agencies have been replicating politely since the news came out on February 29. Also the “how”: It will be a free open-air megaconcert. But this time the dimensions of this “how” go far beyond the set list (from “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” to “Brown Sugar” through “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll”, “Paint It Black”, “Sympathy for the Devil”…) and we really have to bring ourselves to ask the real “why” of the Cuban concert.

Regarding such an exceptional event, the question is not whether they played “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” or not. Yes, there was something missing. When it comes to the Rolling Stones’ visit to Cuba, the essential question is: Who paid for all this?

The Cuban government would not pay for such astronomical cachet as that of the Stones, even if it were in a position to do so, cost it what it might. Come on, Cuba isn’t like the Deutsche Bank, which is able to put up four million euros, as it did in 2007 so that the Jagger/Richards band would play for 600 of their most select clients in the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. The Rolling Stones don’t leave their homes if there isn’t lots and lots of money on the table. And the estimated cost of the Havana concert was about $7 million. So…

More:
http://www.sabinabecker.com/

[catnhatnh]

1. Judi

I expect a southern perspective from you.I don't get this. Who do you think payed?

[Judi Lynn]

3. Just read it for the first time. I think the author has researched the stuffing out of it.

Last edited Fri Apr 1, 2016, 04:02 AM - Edit history (1)

She may so well be right.

I would imagine it surely was NOT a free concert, however, in the sense that no one paid the Stones to do it. As Sabina mentioned, it takes a ton of money to pay them just to leave the house.

I think the points she raises are most definitely worth pondering.

I do remember over the years, as a Cuba watcher, reading of various bands doing concerts in Cuba, some of them English. She does point out that it can be said that this is the first OUTDOOR concert in Cuba by a internationally known English band.

What's your view? Have you considered how and why the concert came into being when it did?

It's not that they couldn't have come before now. As mentioned already, English bands have played there years ago. Something to think about.

[redstateblues]

2. The Socialist party in Cuba?

[Judi Lynn]

4. As mentioned in the article, Cubans don't have that kind of money, even their government. n/t

[Missn-Hitch]

5. I am completely in the dark as to the logistics.

I assumed it was a "free" concert and the band picked up the tab. Now, you have me wondering. Checking sports scores in the morning kind of wondering.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Anyone remember seeing this news? Very interesting to see it again!

flamingdem (33,266 posts) Mon Oct 5, 2015, 03:07 PM

Mick Jagger Makes “Private” Visit to Cuba

http://www.democraticunderground.com/110844277

[center]~ ~ ~[/center]
Even MORE interesting, now!

Yay, flamingdem!

[Sweet Freedom]

7. It was put on by this group

http://www.fundashonbonintenshon.org/News/the-rolling-stones-in-cuba