On 8 January the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Mick Jagger would not be allowed into their country due to his prior drugs convictions.

But first, the Stones announced an 18 January benefit concert at the Los Angeles Forum for victims of the recent 23 December 1972 earthquake in Nicaragua (Bianca Jagger's home country).

But on 27 January, Japanese officials made a final confirmation of their decision to not let the Stones land; the shows were scrapped and the concert promoter had to refund all the tickets.

Australian fears may have been a little validated when the 21 February show at Adelaide's Memorial Drive Park found 5,000 Stones fans clashing with the local police, and 21 arrests were made.

However, three days later high-profile Labor Party Immigration Minister Al Grassby said: "The Stones are an excellent example to Australian youth.

The Los Angeles benefit show introduced a catwalk to the Stones' stage set for the first time, behind Charlie Watts' drum position.

Other supporting acts for the Stones on this tour were Pulse in Adelaide, Madder Lake in Melbourne, Headband, Itambu, and Chain in Sydney.