Rolling Stones May Launch New Label 'Pear'

The Rolling Stones, always either a little ahead or a little behind the Beatles, may start their own record label production company next year.

It would be called Pear.

The new venture would begin in February, when the Stones' current recording contract with Decca/London terminates. Following the pattern of the Beatles and Apple, it is believed that the Stones would record on their own label as well as look for fresh talent for the label.

There is even some talk, according to a London Records exec in San Francisco, of the Pear company "going within the framework of Apple" — but that's all it is at this point: some talk.

Of course, the Beatles and Stones have always had a close personal relationship, with members of one group appearing on the other's records, and with the Stones hiding Beatle heads on their Satanic Majesties LP cover photo.

The Beatles and Stones now also share links with Allan Klein, business manager for the Stones and recently acquired business adviser to the Beatles.

So far, the Stones' office has issued no official statement on the widespread speculation over Pear.

This article is from the June 14th, 1969 issue of Rolling Stone.