Legendary Rock Icons, The Rolling Stones, Rocking Out in Gold Hill, Alabama: What’s Your Opinion?

Hey there music enthusiasts, have you ever heard the remarkable tale of Husky Kirkwood, the gruff farmer with a larger-than-life character who lived on Roamers’ Roost in Gold Hill? If you’re a local, you might have a whirlwind of memories of him. Husky was a fascinating individual, and everyone who crossed paths with him has a memorable Husky story to share.

Having spent a significant amount of time on Roamers’ Roost, I am always just a hair’s breadth away from a good Husky story myself. Unfortunately, Husky is no longer with us, as he passed away in 2019. However, in the years leading up to his death, I made sure to capture as many of his stories as possible by carrying a tape recorder during our visits.

For this week’s column, let me regale you with a captivating tale of Husky’s encounter with none other than the legendary Rolling Stones.

Husky, at the ripe age of 94, has lived a rich life filled with countless stories. During one of our conversations reminiscing about the past, Husky casually mentioned that the Rolling Stones once stayed at his farmhouse. Surprised, I inquired further, and Husky, not one to enjoy interrogation, reaffirmed that indeed, the Rolling Stones had spent a night at his place.

According to Husky, in November 1969, he received a call from a friend whose daughter, an event planner, needed accommodations for some out-of-town band members for just one night. Without hesitation, Husky agreed to host the musicians at Roamer’s Roost. The band members, who turned out to be the Rolling Stones, arrived late at night, were respectful, and retired to their rooms for the night as instructed by Husky.

The next morning, Husky’s son Kenneth discovered a room filled with eccentric scarves and beads, deeming the band members as a group of “damn hippies” before promptly kicking them out of the house.

Intrigued by this narrative, I delved into research to validate Husky’s claim. Surprisingly, the date aligns with the Rolling Stones’ 1969 tour schedule. Reports revealed that the band was delayed for their concert that night, leading to speculation that they were exploring the rural Alabama scenery. There were also accounts of accommodation mishaps due to segregation, as the band was traveling with Chuck Berry.

As I continued my investigation, I stumbled upon the Muscle Shoals documentary, where Keith Richards mentioned the band facing criticism in the South for being perceived as “damn hippies.” These findings strengthened the plausibility of Husky’s story.

While I long for Mick Jagger’s confirmation of this tale, the response remains pending. Yet, as the guardian of this narrative, I affirm its authenticity. Let’s heed Yul Brynner’s words, “So let it be written, so let it be done.”

If there’s a lesson to glean from this anecdote, it’s to share your stories boldly and convincingly. Otherwise, someone else may lay claim to them. Stories are meant to be embraced and retold.

On a final note, if anyone possesses information on Chuck Berry’s whereabouts on November 14, 1969, I’d be thrilled to learn more.

Before we part ways, I must disclose that a version of this narrative appeared in Mastering the Art of Wench Cooking (Village Smith Publishing, 2018), penned by The Mystic Order of East Alabama Fiction Writers. I am Mary Dansak, a writer and retired science education specialist based in Auburn, AL. For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to me at maryfdansak@gmail.com.