The Stones will play Shanghai, but China hasn't rolled out the red carpet

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | April 6, 2006 | Kathleen E. McLaughlin

[MassRepublicanFlyersFan]

Shanghai -- When the Rolling Stones take to their first mainland China stage Saturday, their audience isn't likely to look much different than one in San Francisco. Rather than to a sea of Chinese faces, the band will play to an international crowd.

A unique mix of censorship, daunting bureaucracy and an immature commercial market make China -- a potentially lucrative place to tap a new, hip audience -- into something of a wasteland when it comes to the type of big concerts that generate viewers on pay-per-view in the United States. The Western rock and pop acts popular among Chinese rarely brave the tangle of red tape it takes to win approval for China performances. Thus the acts that do play here tend to target foreigners by default. Promoters say, 65 to 70 percent of the 8,000-plus crowd at the Stones' Shanghai show will be foreign expatriates, the fans most willing in China to spend up to $375 to see the rock band.

[MassRepublicanFlyersFan]

It'll be interesting to see how the Olympics fare in China.

(Modified headline to fit)

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

My best friend plays to sold-out smaller venues in Shanghai a couple times each year. The Chinese kids love American Rock and Roll! Never any trouble with fans or authorities. And the seafood is fantastic!

[Liberal Classic]

The Chinese kids love American Rock and Roll!

Uh, the Stones?

[Revolting cat!]

I layed a divorcee in Beijing City, 
I had to put up some kind of a fight. 
The lady then she covered me in roses, 
She blew my nose and then she blew my mind. 

Hmm, I wonder how the Chinese censors are going to interpret "She blew my nose"? Will it get past them that the nose is a hose?

[theDentist]

They're not royalty.

[MassRepublicanFlyersFan]

It'll be "Shattered!"

[Revolting cat!]

Are these the Chinese fans of the Stones? Red Guards when Street Fighting Man was on the charts?

[xarmydog]

More than likely the first r and r band they were allowed to listen to.Micks rantings against our President didnt hurt their chances of getting the gig.Like all self absorbed so called celebrity's,they take in our money hand over fist and make us out to be dunces with their holier than thou attitude.China must be a good place for junkies.I saw their halftime show and gag is too good a word to explain it.

[Jack Wilson]

Wonder if they will make any nasty references to NeoCOMS?

[Revolting cat!]

It's the noodle shop, noodle shop women!
Gimme, gimme your noodle shop blues...

[weegee]

Rolling Stone magazine has also discovered that the Chinese Communists still believe in censorship.

[weegee]

You're right, the Stones are more of an American (Chess) based blues band.

[weegee]

It's funny that the Stones fled England's taxes and yet never saw fit to criticize the homeland.

[Dr. Marten]

That's funny, I've never come across anyone in China who even knows who the Rolling Stones are.

[kenavi]

I saw their halftime show and gag is too good a word to explain it.

Maybe that's why the Chinese are staying away.

[Revolting cat!]

Wirr Mick misplonounce his r's and l's to be bettell undelstood by his Chinese fans?

[Revolting cat!]

Woking the dog,
I'm justa woking the dog,
If you don't know how to do it,
I'll show you how to wok the dog...

[onedoug]

No values for the Tolling Bones. Just $$$.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

The Stones are all about American Rock and Roll.. Where did R&R come from?