Rolling Stones to Perform on Mount Everest Summit

The Rolling Stones announced today that the band will kick off their 2021 tour with an historic performance at the top of the world. 

The Stones will kick off the new tour with 3 shows at the very top of Mount Everest. The summit is the highest point in the world at over 29,000 Feet above sea level. This will be the first time any rock band has ever performed at the summit. Several bands have appeared at the Everest Base Camp, including Pearl Jam, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Billy Joel, Right Said Fred, Chumbawamba and Color Me Badd. 

Mick & the Boys will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla airport. The band, along with a team of 100 sherpas and yaks will then transport the equipment, staging and lights to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. They will allow a day of rest for acclimatization and then trek 2 more days to Dingboche, then more rest and acclimating before reaching Everest Base camp. 

There is only a short window of time in May that is suitable for climbers to reach the summit. It is a very dangerous trek and climbers risk frostbite, death or injury by slipping and falling and altitude sickness. The atmospheric pressure at the top of Everest is about a third of sea level pressure, resulting in the availability of only about a third as much oxygen to breathe.

Keith Richards along with an advanced team of expert sherpas will set up ropes and ladders to assist some of the novice climbers. Due to the already low level of oxygen in his blood, Keith is an expert climber and is not impacted by the altitude. “He climbs like a mountain goat” said Mick Jagger, “it is unbelievable.”

The entire trip will take about 45 days and will cost $200,000. This will include food, booze, oxygen, sherpas, tickets to the concert and a commemorative cup. If the weather cooperates, The Stones hope to perform 3 shows on the summit before monsoon season begins.