The Rolling Stones sign new record deal

Last Modified: 25 Jul 2008
Source: ITN

The Rolling Stones and Universal Music Group have signed an exclusive, long-term, worldwide recording deal.

The veteran rockers had been stalwarts of record label EMI, which has already seen the departures of massively popular acts Radiohead and Sir Paul McCartney.

The new pact covers future albums by the Rolling Stones and the "single most iconic catalogue in rock and roll", including albums such as Sticky Fingers and Black And Blue.

New recordings by the Rolling Stones will be released by UMG's Polydor label through UMG companies around the world.

The band said in a statement: "Universal are forward thinking, creative and hands-on music people. We really look forward to working with them."

Full digital and physical rights are part of the agreement, and UMG will begin planning what they said was an unprecedented, long-term campaign to reposition the Rolling Stones' entire catalogue for the digital age.

Meanwhile, Rolling Stone frontman Mick Jagger will be entitled to a basic US state pension when he turns 65 this weekend.

But Jagger will have to wait another five years if he is going to receive one in the UK.

It is debatable whether the rocker really needs one at all as he has an estimated £225 million fortune.

He became lead singer of the Rolling Stones in the early 1960s and his band is estimated to have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide in their 40-year career.

They have produced a string of hits over the decades including Brown Sugar, Angie, Satisfaction and Ruby Tuesday.

He has been married twice, to Nicaraguan beauty Bianca Perez Macias in 1971 and Texan fashion model Jerry Hall in 1990. They divorced in 1999. He has seven children and is a grandfather.

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