LONDON, August 12, 2002 -
The first ever comprehensive retrospective album covering The
Rolling Stones' greatest hits dating back to the very start of
the band's recording career up to the present day will be released
worldwide by EMI Recorded Music's Virgin Records label on October
1, 2002 in North America (September 30 outside North America and
September 23 in Japan).
Entitled Forty Licks, the package consists of two 20-track CDs
(CD1 on the ABKCO label and CD2 on the Virgin label) that represent
an unprecedented joint cooperative venture between The Rolling
Stones, ABKCO Records and EMI's Virgin Records in North America,
and between The Rolling Stones, ABKCO, Universal Music International
and EMI in the rest of the world.
Destined to confirm to both long time and new fans why the Rolling
Stones have been acknowledged as 'The World's Greatest Rock 'n
Roll Band,' the collection features digitally remastered classic
Rolling Stones hits including (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Ruby
Tuesday, Brown Sugar, Miss You and Start Me Up.
In addition to these historic tracks that reflect the Stones legacy,
four new songs especially recorded by the band for this collection
with producer Don Was are included in the set.
ABKCO's Allen Klein said: "Mick asked that we should try
to "Square the Circle" - The Stones wanted it and I'm
happy we could do it with them."
David Munns, vice chairman of EMI Recorded Music, said: "This
is the first time there has ever been a complete and definitive
Rolling Stones collection covering the band's entire career. Forty
Licks features an incredible range of classic Stones tracks, over
two-and-a-half hours of music personally selected by the band
that will appeal to both long time fans of The Rolling Stones
and to people who want to experience them for the first time.
The Rolling Stones are true legends and EMI is very proud to be
releasing this seminal collection."
Max Hole, senior vice president of A&R and marketing at Universal
Music International, said: "No rock & roll band in the
world has music which stands the test of time better than the
Rolling Stones, and Forty Licks shows exactly why. The time is
perfect to release this package, which will satisfy music fans
everywhere."
The Rolling Stones will kick off their Rolling Stones World Tour
2002/2003 in Boston on September 3rd. After over 40 dates in North
America the band will head off to Europe, Australia and Asia where,
in 2003, they hope to play their first ever concerts in China.
Artists that will share the stage with The Rolling Stones as opening
acts on the tour include No Doubt, Pink, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy
and Jonny Lang. The Rolling Stones hold the all-time records for
the three best attended tours of all time - 'Steel Wheels', 'Voodoo
Lounge' and 'Bridges to Babylon'.
