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Keith Richards on having Donald Trump as a promoter: 'I pulled out my trusty blade, stuck it in the table and said 'You've got to get rid of this man!'

Band are about to embark on a massive stadium tour

Roisin O'Connor

Tuesday 15 May 2018 10:07 BST

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The Rolling Stones announce UK 'No Filter' tour

Keith Richards has spoken about the Rolling Stones' encounter with Donald Trump before he became president of the United States.

Speaking to the BBC, the legendary guitarist told of how the band loathed working with Trump while he was their promoter in 1989, on their Steel Wheels tour.

“You've got to get rid of this man!” the 74-year-old recalled saying. “He [Trump] was the promoter for us in Atlantic City. It was (billed as) 'Donald Trump presents the Rolling Stones', (which was) in miniature.

“We never have much to do with promoters usually, but this one got me. That was the last time I got angry. I pulled out my trusty blade, stuck it in the table and said, 'You've got to get rid of this man!”'

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The Rolling Stones pictured in Crossfire Hurricane

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The Rolling Stones in 1964

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The Rolling Stones performing in concert in 1964

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Guitarist Mick Taylor, 62, joined the Rolling Stones (second left) when he was 20

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The legendary 'glimmer twins' Keith and Mick in 1961.

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The Rolling Stones, Baker Street, London, 1963

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Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones signing an autograph for a young fan, at Dublin Airport, during the band's second Irish tour of 1965.

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Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones exiting the airport bus at Dublin Airport before their concert at the Adelphi Theatre during the band's second Irish tour of 1965.

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The Rolling Stones receiving awards at the NME Poll Winners Concert at Wembley, London, in 1965.

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The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in 1967

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Rock of ages: The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park in 1969

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The Rolling Stones at the Roundhouse in London in 1971: from the left, Keys, Charlie Watts, Mick Taylor and Mick Jagger

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Jagger on stage with the Rolling Stones in 1978

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Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones sits in the stands of JFK Stadium in Philadelphia in afternoon on Wednesday, August 26, 1981, where he is scheduled to hold a concert on September 25 to kickoff his 1981 American tour.

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Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger performs in front of a crowd of 70,000 at Wembley Stadium in 1982

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Jagger performing on stage during the opening night of the bands new tour, 'Voodoo Lounge' in 1995

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The Rolling Stones perform on stage at Twickenham Stadium in 2006 in London

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Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on in 2012

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The Rolling Stones performing at the O2 arena, at their 50-year anniversary show in 2012

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The Rolling Stones perform live on stage during day two of British Summer Time Hyde Park on July 6, 2013

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The Rolling Stones perform at Glastonbury in 2013

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'Rolling Stones 50 & Counting Tour' at The Honda Center on May 15, 2013 in Anaheim, California.

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The Rolling Stones performing in California in 2013.

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Keith Richards on stage in 2013.

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Suits you: Mick Jagger (far right) with his bandmates in 2014.

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The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury in 2014.

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The Rolling Stones at Glasotnbury in 2013.

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He told Radio 4's Today programme: “Now America has to get rid of him. Don't say I didn't warn you.”

Richards added: “These days nothing (gets me angry). I can't be bothered to waste the energy on anger. I've got nothing to be angry about. It would almost be gratuitous.... 'What, you've burnt the toast?' What am I going to get angry about?”

Trump famously used the Rolling Stones' song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" during his presidential campaign.

Sir Mick Jagger said: “He used it on every rally through the election campaign.... It's a funny song for your play-out song. When he finished his speech, he played out on this doomy ballad... It's kind of weird if you think about it. But he couldn't be persuaded to use something else. It was odd, really odd.”

The Rolling Stones are about to set out on a massive stadium tour in the UK, which kicks off on 17 May in Dublin at Croke Park, and concludes on 19 June in Twickenham.

They recently announced a wealth of special guests as support acts, including Liam Gallagher, Florence + The Machine, The Vaccines, Richard Ashcroft, Elbow and James Bay.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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