Digital Extra: The Journal's 175th Anniversary

07.21.2004

1972. Rolling Stones get no satisfaction in R.I.

The fog was thick in Boston on the evening of July 18, 1972, so thick that the chartered jet wending its way from Montreal to Boston could not land at Logan International Airport. Instead, it was diverted to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.

The passengers were taken to the airport's fire station, where they could be processed through customs.

They were exhausted. They were late. They were incredibly famous and headed for trouble.

They were the Rolling Stones, a rock 'n' roll band scheduled to be on stage at about 8 p.m. at the Boston Garden. Instead, it was near 9:30, and they were waiting in the fire station.

Then Journal reporter Dante Ionata and photographer Andrew Dickerman showed up. Airport security examined their credentials, and let them into the fire station.

The Stones and members of their entourage objected to Dickerman's taking pictures. They told him to stop.

"You can't tell me not to take pictures," Dickerman replied.

Two of the band's entourage started pushing Dickerman, then put him in a headlock after he ducked away from them.

Dickerman called Warwick police, who tried to keep the peace, warning band members that Dickerman had a right to take news photos. Tensions escalated, and the band became involved in a scuffle with the police.

Five members of the tour group, including band leaders Michael P. Jagger, 29, and Keith Richard, 33, both of Nellcott Villa Franche, France, were arrested.

Warwick police hurried to process the charges against the band at the urging of Boston authorities, who feared a riot among the 15,000 fans waiting for the musicians at the Garden.

The band finally took the stage at 12:50 a.m.