Rolling Stones fans hoping for a glimpse of Mick Jagger’s 60th birthday bash in Prague this weekend can’t get no satisfaction.
The Stones’ frontman celebrates his birthday Saturday at a secret party in the Czech capital, where the Stones perform Sunday as part of their “Licks” world tour.
The party venue remains a closely guarded secret. Local media have speculated Jagger will celebrate at the British Embassy in Prague’s Thun Palace or at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Even former President Vaclav Havel, an invited guest, does not know where the birthday bash will be.
“We will be told at the last minute,” said Havel’s aide, Martin Vidlak. “This is a private party under full control of Mick Jagger.”
The band is scheduled to meet with Havel during its stay.
Jagger is the second band member to turn 60, after drummer Charlie Watts. Guitarist Keith Richards turns 60 in December.
The Rolling Stones are making their fourth appearance in Prague in 13 years. The band’s “Steel Wheels” tour came to Prague shortly after Havel completed his anti-communist Velvet Revolution in 1989.
“The tanks are rolling out, the Stones are rolling in,” the posters said at the time, hinting at the end of Russian occupation of what was then Czechoslovakia.
Sunday’s concert is at Letna Park on a hill overlooking the central part of the city. The band, which was arriving Friday from Hamburg, Germany, has donated part of its light system to illuminate the city’s landmark Prague Castle.
Although the party venue remains secret, word of Havel’s birthday present to Jagger has been leaked to the press: a 2-foot-high crystal vase by Havel’s favorite artist, Borek Sipek.
The Blesk newspaper, which published a photo of the vase, said it was intended to embody Jagger’s “far-flung image – and perhaps even his soul, torn to pieces.”