The Rolling Stones
No consideration of this topic would be complete without some mention
of the Rolling Stones. It has been suggested in some quarters, not
unconvincingly, that it is long past time for the old boys to stop hauling their
increasingly gnarled selves around the world to play outlandish stadium
extravaganzas, and retire to their respective chateaux, island paradises, and
whatnot. (Bill Wyman has already provided a possible role model.)
Admittedly, the spectre of the Voodoo Lounge boutiques in department
stores and (especially) the Rolling Stones VISA card
tends to lend support to this idea. But hereabouts we give the Stones credit
for at least one thing: their greed is as megalomaniacally huge and awesome
as their legend. They are making many, many millions of dollars and still
managing to never come across as less than cool. If someone is going to be
filling stadiums at $50 a head with classic rock of questionable contemporary
value, we'll take the Stones over Page and Plant any day.