The Rolling Stones have called on their Melbourne fans to help save St. Kilda’s beloved Palais Theatre, which is in need of major renovations to keep it a viable live music venue in the future. The band’s iconic frontman, Mick Jagger, reportedly asked fans inside Rod Laver Arena to get behind a campaign to save the building on Wednesday night.
“I’d just like to tell you, we played at the Palais Theatre about 50 years ago,” Jagger told the crowd, according to The Weekly Review. “The Palais Theatre is just about still there – give generously.”
Punter and St. Kilda resident Eva Migdal told The Weekly Review that Jagger’s words felt “very personalised” and “special”, adding, “He had strong memories of being here and felt a connection to the Palais experience, as so many of us do.”
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According to a press release from Ilovemypalais, who are petitioning the state government to contribute to the restoration of the venue, The Rolling Stones first toured Australia in January and February of 1965, playing two Melbourne gigs at the Palais Theatre.
At the time, the then-young group were one of the hottest bands to come out of the British Invasion, and were channeling the momentum generated by their second album, The Rolling Stones No. 2, which included the classic hit ‘Time Is on My Side’.
The endorsement should prove a boon to Ilovemypalais’ campaign, with the group posting jubilantly on social media, “We’re thrilled! Last night, at their Melbourne concert, Mick Jagger asked the crowd to get behind the Palais Theatre.”
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Port Phillip Council, the venue’s Committee of Management and managers of the lease since 2008, has estimated it will cost up to $40 million to restore the crumbling 87-year-old venue, which is in need of significant structural work and currently stands surrounded by scaffolding.
The council has promised to contribute $7.5 million on the condition that the state government, who officially own the historic building, fork out $25 million. The council voted last week to open up expressions of interest for the iconic venue’s long-term lease, with entries closing on 19th December.
Jagger joins other celebrity supporters of the Ilovemypalais campaign, which includes such venerable Australian entertainment figures as Molly Meldrum, comedians Dave Hughes and Magda Szubanski, and Tina Arena and Tex Perkins.
