Mick Jagger at the Ricoh
Heads were turning at the Ricoh Arena last weekend for a man with moves – and looks – like Jagger.
One of the world’s leading Mick Jagger lookalikes made a surprise appearance at the Ricoh Arena last weekend to give Coventry a rare, live glimpse of what to expect when the Rolling Stones perform at the venue on Saturday, June 2 as part of their Stones - No Filter tour.
Alex Larke, 39, from Welwyn Garden City left behind his job in recruitment 11 years ago to make a living out of impersonating the iconic frontman as part of the tribute band Rolling Clones, which plays up to 150 gigs a year around the world.
Performances range from playing in front of 25,000 people at Portuguese festivals, through to theatres, corporate functions, weddings and even funerals.
Frontman Alex spends a lot of time studying the Stones’ performances to ensure his own performances are near-perfect, and believes this summer’s Stones - No Filter tour will see current band members Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts – who are all in their 70s - transport music fans back in time.
“The Rolling Stones don’t let their age define them and still know how to put on a high-tempo show. I remember going to see them at Hyde Park in 2002 and firmly believed that would be the last time I’d see them performing, but here we are 16 years later,” said Alex.
“You just can’t write them off – they’re all phenomenal performers.
“We try our best to emulate the energy they bring on stage – which usually ends up with us being drenched in sweat from two solid hours of rock ‘n’ roll.
“Back in the day Mick Jagger would thunder around the stage but nowadays he understandably does a lot more finger pointing, which I’ve had to incorporate into my own performances.
“Even though we’re playing the same songs week in, week out we never get bored as they’re all so unique and generate such a buzz amongst the crowds that we’re playing to – and I’m sure the same will happen at the Ricoh Arena.
“The Rolling Stones have this immortal iconic status among music fans, which is proven by how fortunate our own band has been and the number of bookings we are taking, and just like the Rolling Stones, the Rolling Clones have no plans to end their journey any time soon.”
Extra tickets have been released for the Rolling Stones’ concert at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, June 2.
To purchase tickets and see the range of hospitality packages available visit www.ricoharena.com