Longview Farm

Summer 1981 the Rolling Stones started thinking of a new world tour, their first since 1975/76, to follow-up the band's upcoming new studio album, "Tattoo You". As always, it was Ian Stewart's job to find the band a suitable place to rehearse. After some research, Stu selected Longview Farm Studios, located in North Brookfield, Massachusetts and founded by professor Gilbert Scott Markle.

In his 'Diary of a Studio Owner' Markle recalls Stu's visits to the studio, and also the work that had to be done to make the Stones feel comfortable at the premises. The band, with additional musicians David Sancious (first days), Chuck Leavell (for some days until August 24), Ian McLagan (late August onwards), and of course Stu, rehearsed at Longview from August 14 until tour start, September 25.

During their stay at Longview, on September 14, the Stones, billed as Blue Sunday and the Cockroaches, performed a surprise warm-up gig at Sir Morgan's Cove in Worcester, Massachusetts.
During one of his visits to the Stones' office in Rockefeller Center, New York City, Ian Stewart talked to author Bill German about his role and position in the Rolling Stones. You can find an excerpt of the interview right here.