Rolling Stones On Fresh Babies And Paying Taxes

Births, deaths, and taxes – the Stones present Sky News their take on the convictions of life as they unveil their new exhibition.
For 54 years the #RollingStones have stayed at the first line of popular culture – the perfect entertainers, with shocking moves and wild reputations to achieve the rebel image.
However when the band sat down with Sky News for the launch of Exhibitionism at the Saatchi Gallery they looked much more reflective than rebellious.
Keith Richards agreed they wanted to put on the reflective because – while they may all be long-time beneficiaries – they insist they are going nowhere: “I refuse to croak, and the band refuses to croak so we thought we’d better get it in now.”
And from deaths to births, 68-year-old Ronnie Forest enthused at the likelihood of becoming a father for the fifth time, saying Sky News: “Two baby girls in there, it’s going to be an incredible experience, I’m looking forward to not sleeping, it’s a blessing they’re two little girls, if it were two little boys it would be even harder.”
As for taxes, noting on the Panama Papers shame, Ronnie Wood added: “I just pay my taxes I can’t let them drive me away anymore, you just have to pay up and get on with life.”
While various of their contemporaries such as Bob Geldof, Bono, and Sir Paul McCartney have applied their star power to shine a light on political, humanitarian and environmental issues, the Stones have never certainly been political.
But Mick Jagger did contemplate the EU referendum debate with Sky News.
“Europe is a complex question,” said Sir Mick.
“I wonder if David Cameron would want to put this out to a referendum now … A lot of politics is an emotion; it influences different people in various ways; to me personally it won’t cause a huge difference …
“I believe to the country it will be harmful in the short term if we pick out … but in the long term, like 20 years’ time, it could be profitable.”
On their historic gig in Cuba last month, Jagger added that he hopes it will “lead to greater freedom of expression” in the country.
The band’s exhibition elegantly reviews their history, recreating the flat in Edith Copse – defined by Richards as a pigsty – where they shared a room in the early 60s, to incalculable costumes, photos, guitars and memorabilia, and an impressive 3D show, which makes you feel like you are on stage with Jagger.
A glitzy red carpet welcomed guests at the gallery on London’s trendy King’s Road, with family and friends in public from Fearne Cotton and Jessie Wood to James Bay.