Should the Stones drop their support band?

The Rolling Stones are considering dropping a German support band booked to play on their world tour, after allegations they have a racist past.

The German band, Boehse Onkelz (Evil Uncles) have admitted writing a song called Turks Out in 1980 when they were 16.

The song had racist lyrics, but the band say they were never members of any fascist or right-wing parties and have severed any connections with the far-right.

They have since written anti-fascist songs and arranged concerts against neo-Nazism.

But should the Rolling Stones drop them to avoid any possible racist taint? Or should the German band's clear rejection of racism allow them to put the past behind them?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

It's their tour, people aren't paying to see Boehse Onkelz. Clearly, the Rolling Stones' management team should have done better homework up front about the German band before they agreed to tour with them. Right decision, but bad timing has led to a PR mess.
Jeff, USA

The people who buy the tickets will judge with their wallets

Will B, UK

The Stones have released some dodgy stuff in their time. Under my Thumb is misogynistic. It is not for us to decide. The people who buy the tickets will judge with their wallets.
Will B, UK

A decision should be made quickly, because right now this second-rate band is getting recognition and publicity it certainly doesn't merit - it deserves to be consigned to obscurity.
Pete D, UK

Like with like - Stones used misogynistic lyrics, Boehse Onkelz used racist lyrics. Ban 'em both!
Michelle Vigar, Malta

Well I suppose that the Rolling Stones are spinning this one out to squeeze as much publicity as possible
Robert McCairley, England

Twenty three years ago is when the Stones were still worth seeing. Maybe they should drop themselves, and just stop bleeding the public dry of money more suited for better bands. Enough with the reunion tours.
Derek, Canada

They simply want to cash in

Jens, Germany

They have not learned from the past. They were banned from the TV screens, radio and all other ways of getting their music heard. They had endless legal problems. That's why they tamed their tone and became more mass-orientated. This doesn't mean that they changed their views. They simply want to cash in.
Jens, Germany

Quite right, let's also ban bands that once made any reference to illegal drugs, blasphemy, promiscuity, gays, violence and anything else anybody may find distasteful. See you all at the next Donny Osmond gig.
Peter, UK

So, presumably, whoever dug up this piece of music memorabilia still holds all the same opinions that they did when they were 16? No I thought not. The phrase "grow up" comes to mind.
John Smith, UK

This, at the very least, is an opportunity for Mick Jagger to show that the 60's are not over.
William Parker, USA

Shouldn't we be praising the band for denouncing their past ?

Darren, UK

23 years ago! Do people honestly think this is an issue to raise so many years later? Shouldn't we be praising the band for denouncing their past and sending out a clear message for the future?
Darren, UK

The Stones will do anything that will make them the most money, and that includes having a controversial band at one of their shows. The more paying fans they have the more money they make.
Tom Green, UK

They have learned from what they did 23 years ago. They were mistaken so give them a chance to prove that they changed.
Joel, Philippines

The Rollin Strollin Bones should drop this act. If it wasn't for the music, blood, sweat, tears, grief, and survival of African-Americans, there would be no Stones and Mick would be an economist.
Stephanie M, USA

In the article where Evil Uncles deny racism, there is no apology towards Turks. 70s and 80s, Turks faced severe racism from Germans. The racism is still continuing in mild form. Even though Evil Uncles say that they had never been members of any fascist movement, their move was a support for the people who decided to act in favour of fascism and to suppress the Turkish minority in Germany. I believe Rolling Stones should not drop them out since they changed their attitude long time ago in favour of anti fascism, but Evil Uncles owe an apology from Turks.
Kivanc Emiroglu, Boston, USA

That was 23 years ago!

Steve G, UK

1980? That was 23 years ago!!! I'm 27 and I know my opinions and approach to life has certainly changed in that time. What on earth has one song written that long ago have to do with their eligibility to support a big band? There's always one idiot who has to dig up a mistake in the past that they have more than made up for. Whoever that was, may I suggest they go and get a life?
Steve G, UK

We need to organise against active racists and fascists, not waste time on ex-racists who've admitted they were wrong.
ANL supporter, UK

Why should they drop the support band? Have the Rolling Stones never done anything in their past to cause concern? The support band were young and have learned since I presume, as they have now written anti-fascist songs and arranged concerts against neo-Nazism. The Stones are not squeaky clean themselves.
E Sloan, England

I thought we didn't want to live in fear - and if the Stones do drop this band they will be living in fear of PC liberals destroying them with character assassination.
Tom, England