Soak up the Stones

STEPHEN FORBES

FANATICAL FAN: Richard Fox has dedicated an entire room of his house to the Rolling Stones and he is inviting the public to have a look.

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THERE'S little that Richard Fox doesn't know about the Rolling Stones.

He has been a huge fan of the veteran British rock band since 1984 and is an avid collector of associated memorabilia.

The 42-year-old needs a whole room to house it all – albums, CDs, videos, T-shirts, DVDs, books and posters.

You name it, he's got it.

The Waima resident is giving guided tours of his Voodoo Lounge – named after a Stones album – on March 27 as part of the 2010 Titirangi Festival of Music.

He's looking forward to discussing his obsession with like-minded rock buffs.

"It's the music," he says. "But it's also the Stones themselves. The image, the attitude, they are simply the best. Show me a rock band that doesn't have a guitarist who wants to be Keith Richards."

Richard has seen the Stones perform 29 times – first in New Zealand and later in the United States, Europe and Britain.

"I'm probably an obsessive compulsive," he says.

A highlight was a low-key gig in London. The event was not advertised and ticket information was not readily available.

Richard heard the rumours and did some investigation to get more details.

His efforts paid off and he joined other diehards – including Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler – in the audience at the Shepherds Bush Empire, where the Stones performed.

"I was front row for that," he says.

Richard was on a tighter budget by 2003 and could not afford to go to Europe anymore. So he was excited to learn the Stones were doing three theatre shows in Sydney and another three in Melbourne.

It was too good an opportunity to miss. "Angus and Malcolm Young from AC/DC got up and played with them," he says.

Richard will head back across the Tasman if speculation about another tour in 2012 proves to be correct.

Until then, he is quite content in his Voodoo Lounge. "This is my sanctuary," he says. "The boys come over and play some pool and have a few beers."

And what does his wife think of it all? "She just accepts that's how I am," he says. "She'd rather I didn't spend the money or time on it, but it's addictive."

Call the festival booking office on 9506359 to register for Richard's tour.

- © Fairfax NZ News