The time Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones were targeted by ‘the world’s dumbest bomber’

The so-called “world’s dumbest bomber” targeted Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones in a botched attack on the band.

A forty-eight-date tour in the United States would inevitably feature more than a few problems, not least an alleged near-knife fight between Stephen Stills and Keith Richards. Drugs busts, tear gas used by police on fans, and a failed bombing are just a slice of the trouble The Rolling Stones faced when touring from June 3, 1972, to July 26, 1972. A short tour, but a stacked one which saw riots, lawsuits, and bomb threats fly. Jagger and the band were nearly blown up in the lead-up to their Montreal show, though the press agent for the band would dub them the “world’s dumbest bomber”. Clearly unimpressed by the attempt on The Rolling Stones’ lives, the press agent would slam the individual behind the damage.

While none of the band members were hurt, a van full of tour equipment was destroyed before the July 17 gig at the Montreal Forum. Replacement parts and gear were flown in, but that was only the start of the trouble for this particular show. Nobody was hurt in the blast, though it did mark a worrying attack on Jagger and The Rolling Stones.

Jagger would jokingly ask: “Why didn’t the cat leave a note?” The Stones’ press agent would then call the unnamed person who left the bag the “world’s dumbest bomber,” according to Ultimate Rock Magazine.

After their gear was blown up by a bag of dynamite stuffed under a loading ramp in the middle of the night, the band and venue then had to contend with a surplus of ticket holders. It was later found that three thousand forged tickets had been sold, and rioting fans delayed the start of the show.

When the band did get onto the stage, they were deemed “not good” by those in attendance. Every band has an off night but it seems the pressure and in-fighting which was ripping through the band and their entourage at the time had hit its apex. A Weekend Magazine reporter claims Jagger was hit in the leg by a bottle while on stage, and those who attended an after party said the frontman looked “tired and washed out.”

The Montreal Gazette would also note there was an object thrown at Jagger, though he managed to dodge it. Fireworks were also set off in the crowd. Their report reads: “At one point Jagger ducked sharply to his right as something flashed out of the audience.

“Without breaking his stride he went on singing, while an aide picked up a 40-ounce bottle and calmly moved it to one side. Miraculously, it hadn’t even broken. Sparklers were lit and thrown, though again no one seemed to have been hurt, although this was no thanks to the thoughtless few who threw them. Some firecrackers were set off, too, but they were lost in the din of the crowd.”

The next day, Jagger and Richards would jeopardise their performance at the Boston Garden after a fight with photographer Andy Dickerman landed them both behind bars. Boston Mayor Kevin White intervened to have the pair released, fearing a riot should they not perform. He would later file a lawsuit against the band.