Play It Strange to Host Hon. Mayor of Auckland During Live Street Performance of Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones

Thursday 5th February 2015 at 12 noon in the
heart of Auckland City

Play It Strange will host a live performance of The Rolling Stones hit song "Paint It Black" performed by Jordan Luck, Mike Chunn and Kaipara College musicians this Thursday 5th Feb 2015 at 12 noon. As this city streets rock, Play It Strange welcomes the general public to come along and enjoy this free performance alongside Hon. Mayor Len Brown.

This short gig will take place on the corner of Elliot Street and Darby Place in Auckland City “a stones throw” from where the Royal International Hotel used to stand (currently a Wilson’s Carpark with the ‘Sky Screamer’ catapulting seated bungy perched above).

The date and location are significant as it marks 50 years from when the Stones are considered to have written the song – ‘Paint It Black” in that very Hotel during their 1965 NZ tour.

“The legend among Rolling Stones’ fans in New Zealand is that the band wrote ‘Paint It Black’ in the Royal International Hotel in Auckland during their 1965 tour,” said music historian Chris Bourke. “Did the band see a red door and want it painted black? Recently Keith Richards said the timing was right, and he gave the story ‘a fine chance of being true’. The song’s association with New Zealand was solidified 45 years later when All Black fans were told to ‘Paint It Black’ during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.”

At this media event Hon. Mayor Len Brown will announce A Strange Day's Night 2015 – a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones playing the Auckland Town Hall.

This concert is a fundraising event for the Play It Strange Trust on Tuesday

3rd June 2015 at the Auckland Town Hall presented by Play It Strange with Auckland Live and The Sound and Concert Trust.

“I was aware of much distaste in Auckland when the Rolling Stones clambered off the plane at Whenuapai airport,” mused Mike Chunn, CEO of Play It Strange. “They were the type you 'didn't want your son to be'. Loutish. Arrogant. Playing overly simple, brash, meaningless pop fluff. The Sisters of Mercy would have called them 'brazen brats'. And then caned them.”

Last year the inaugural Strange Day's Night celebrated 50 years since The Beatles played the Auckland Town Hall – renowned NZ musicians and songwriters took to the stage with young school performers and artists and sang from The Beatles repertoire – applauded by the audience of 19 to 91 year olds.

In 2015 it's The Rolling Stones turn and the Great Hall will again be filled with some of the world’s finest songs performed by our very own.

Ticketing information

Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster from 5th February 2015

Stalls - unallocated seating $35

Circle – allocated seating $49

Play It Strange

Play It Strange was set up in 2003 to shine a spotlight on young people, songwriting and performance. It runs several secondary school songwriting competitions as well as the Jam Bus mobile recording studio through Auckland primary schools. It has also had Band Of Strangers Concerts over the years (based on a concept of Neil Finn’s) whereby young artists share the stage with established recognised musicians. A Strange Day’s Night will embrace this concept whilst celebrating 50 years since The Rolling Stones first visit to NZ .

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