The Rolling Stones ditch iconic lyric on latest US tour in huge self-censor move after Trump shooting

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones have heavily edited one of their songs in the wake of the Trump shooting

GETTY
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 25/07/2024

- 10:41

It's not the first time Mick Jagger and co have altered some of their classic hits

Sir Mick Jagger, 80, has reportedly decided to drop one of The Rolling Stones' most memorable lyrics from hit Sympathy for the Devil on their latest tour.

Jagger, along with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, have been performing a handful of dates Stateside as part of their Hackney Diamonds tour.


Their most recent gigs in Los Angeles and Santa Clara, California and Ridgedale, Missouri all took place following the shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month.

Trump was shot in the ear when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire, killing one attendee and hospitalising two others.

As a show of good taste while performing in the days after the shooting, Jagger decided the following lyrics should be dropped from the band's hit: "I shouted out, 'Who killed the Kennedys?' Well, after all, it was you and me.'"

The lyrics reference the assassinations of former US President John F Kennedy and politician Robert Kennedy in the 1960s.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump has made a triumphant return to the campaign trail

GETTY

Instead, the Daily Mail reports that band members Richards and Wood performed an instrumental break in place of the entire third verse in the song.

It's not the first time the Stones decided to heavily edit the song while performing in recent years.

Back in 2006, Jagger, Wood and Richards performed for Bill Clinton at his 60th birthday celebrations.

The decision to ditch the lyric in fear of causing offence is in stark contrast to another band who've hit headlines for their on-stage antics about the Trump shooting recently.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones have been performing across the USA

GETTY

Tenacious D, consisting of duo Jack Black and Kyle Gass, have cancelled their entire tour and paused all future endeavours due to comments made on stage about the former president.

While performing to crowds in Sydney, Australia less than 24 hours after the assassination attempt, Gass was asked to make a birthday wish after turning 64.

In response, he told bandmate Black: "Don’t miss Trump next time."

Black burst into laughter on stage at the time but later distanced himself from his bandmates by confirming the tour had been axed.

"I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday," Black said in a statement. "I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.

"After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.

"I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding."

Gass apologised for the Trump remarks, saying: "The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.

"I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement.

"I profoundly apologise to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused."

You may like