“They punched their way to the front and started spitting at us.” The story behind the violent, riotous gig which got the Rolling Stones banned from an English seaside town for 44 years
In July 1964, a Rolling Stones concert at Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom descended into violence when fans fought their way forward and spat at the band. The disorder led the seaside town to ban the group from performing there, a prohibition that lasted 44 years and became one of the most notorious incidents of their early career.
The event came during a pivotal year for the Stones, who had achieved their first two UK number-one singles, released their debut album and made their first US tour. Their American dates had reportedly been disappointing, and the Blackpool riot showed that their rapid rise in Britain was also attracting intense and unruly crowds.
- A 1964 Blackpool concert by the Rolling Stones ended in violence.
- The band were banned from the town for 44 years.
- The riot occurred during their breakthrough year.