You're only as good as your word, and one Rolling Stones fan wants the iconic band to live up to its word -- to return to London, Ontario to play a show promised more than 50 years ago.
Hap Campbell has started an online petition urging the rock 'n roll legends to keep the promise they made in 1965. That was the year the Stones were to perform a show at the Treasure Island venue in south London. On that April 26 evening, the Stones were 15 minutes into their set when police, allegedly fearing a riot, cut power to the venue abruptly ending the concert.
"Police pulled the plug, they cut the power and the band was ushered off stage," said Campbell, a 61-year-old lifelong Stones fan. "But Mick (Jagger) said they would come back and play a make-up show."
To this date, no make-up show has been held in London. Even an attempt to show the band's "Live at the Max" concert film in London in the 1990s failed to materialize.
"I was standing outside with my ticket waiting to go in and staff came out of the theatre and said the projector broke. Then they hollered out 'don't worry, we'll bring it back in a month or so.' That never happened," said Campbell. "We're hexed."
Campbell has previously reached out to Stones' ex-bass player Bill Wyman and the Stones' management. He has also written letters to Keith Richards in an effort to get the group to make good on its promise.
"As far as we can tell this was the only Rolling Stones concert that was cancelled or interrupted that was not rescheduled," said Campbell.
The online petition had only garnered 169 signatures by Tuesday afternoon. But Campbell is confident that number will climb into the thousands.
"As far as I'm concerned anybody around the world can sign the petition because they want the Stones to live up to their promise," said Campbell. "I just think it would be nice if the biggest rock and roll band in the world does [live up to their promise]."
Campbell said his efforts to lure the band back to the Forest City on a 52-year-old promise has raised a few eyebrows.
"I have been told by a lot of people that I'm crazy but you don't know unless you try," said Campbell. "It's become a fun thing with me and my friends. They're ribbing me about it. But when they find out news outlets are starting to pay attention to it and things are getting done online they are starting to say 'gee, you never know.' So I'm starting to win over some people."
While an intimate show at the Aeolian Hall would be Campbell's venue of choice, he knows that isn't realistic.
"Reasonably, either Budweiser Gardens or in Harris Park, it's a nice outdoor venue. Those would be fitting places for the Stones," Campbell said. "If it's in the summer we could pack 15,000 to 20,000 in Harris Park. It would be quite a show."
The petition can be found here.