THE ROLLING STONES AND THE METERS

Second Thursday

The second Thursday of the 50th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was to be historic as The Rolling Stones were set to headline.  For medical reasons The Stones had to cancel their appearance and postpone their "No Filter" U.S. Tour. 

The Rolling Stones meet the Meters

The Rolling Stones have close ties to New Orleans and our music.  Their ties are especially close with the “Founders of Funk,” The Meters.
 
The Meters were going to do their European tour as the house band for New Orleans greats, Dr. John, Professor Longhair and Snooks Eaglin.

That was Europe’s first taste of the Meters, and the response was overwhelming.  While touring, The Meters met The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart and his band, Faces.
 
In 1975 Paul McCartney invited The Meters to play a party on the Queen Mary in California.  Mick Jagger was at the party and was enamored with the Meters and their sound. 

The Meters tour with the Rolling Stones

Mick Jagger became such a fan of The Meters that he wanted them to tour together.  The Stones invited The Meters to tour with them in the U.S. in 1975 and Europe in 1976.

The Meters felt as if they needed a lead singer to tour with The Rolling Stones.  The Meters added Art Neville’s younger brother Cyril Neville on vocals and percussion.

The Meters with Cyril Neville, Photo from Thebluesmobile.com

After the Meters Broke up Zigaboo Modeliste toured with Keith Richards and Ron Wood.

The Meters and The Rolling Stones remain close to this day.

The Meters and The Rolling Stones, Photo from George Porter's Facebook page