Rolling Stone Keith Richards says no to dancers

Aug 24, 2005, 13:06 GMT

Rolling Stone Keith Richards reportedly refused to perform on the band's world tour unless 25 sexy dancers were sacked - much to Mick Jagger's annoyance.

Sources claim the hell-raising guitarist was left furious when he discovered a bevy of beauties had been hired to dance on stage during 'Honky Tonk Women'. So he reportedly told organisers to get rid of the girls - at a wasted cost of $100,000.

A tour insider told America's New York Daily News newspaper: "Organisers hired 25 gorgeous professional female dancers, outfitted them with costumes and paid for their transport. But Keith didn't like the idea of sharing the stage with the beautiful young things.

"A choreographer came in after the sound check and said, 'Sorry, girls, Keith's not having it. He says no girls - or no show.'"

However, Keith's womanising bandmate Mick Jagger was said to be less than happy when the stunning dancers were sent back to New York.

The singer, whose beautiful exes include Jerry Hall, supermodel Sophie Dahl and Brazilian model Luciana Morad, had earlier visited the girls' dressing rooms to congratulate them on a successful rehearsal.

Meanwhile, the band's Ronnie Wood has played his first sober concert in years.

The reformed rocker stuck to soft drinks - and swapped cigarettes for a nicotine patch - when the group kicked off their 'A Bigger Bang' tour in Boston on Sunday (21.08.05).

Copyright 2005 BANG Media International