The Rolling Stones have downplayed reports published this weekend saying that the band were about to do a Madonna-style 360 degree deal with live music conglom Live Nation, which would include a new record deal.
The Stones are currently looking for a new record deal having completed their recording commitments to EMI. With "every artist in the world quitting Guy Hands' EMI" a popular story in the press just now, it has been widely reported that Jagger et al would look elsewhere for their next record deal.
Universal Music, who released the soundtrack to the recent Martin Scorsese directed Stones concert film, are a favourite to sign the aging rockers, though with Live Nation known to be keen to sign multi-dimensional deals with more iconic artists - similar to those done with Madonna and Jay-Z, both of which include recordings - rumours of a Stones/Live Nation deal have been rife. The fact that the Live Nation Artists division that is handling the Madonna and Jay-Z deals is run by Michael Cohl, long time Stones tour promoter, have only added to those rumours.
But after the Observer reported on Sunday that a Live Nation deal involving recordings was about to be signed, LD Publicity's Bernard Doherty issued a statement on the band's behalf yesterday, telling reporters, simply: "We are not in talks with Live Nation in connection with any record deal". So, take note people.