On This Date in 1972: At the Montreal Forum, a bomber sets off dynamite under a Rolling Stones equipment van. The explosion knocks out the cones of 30 speakers in the van.

The Almanac Advises for July 17: "While rock 'n' roll and loudness seem to go together, the overwhelming sounds emitted from speakers can do irreparable damage. The noise levels at a typical rock concert can exceed 115 decibels, which is just 10 decibels short of inflicting pain, and can cause permanent hearing loss after just a few minutes."

When Starsailor finished their set in Zurich, Switzerland recently, they received a very special nod of approval. "We played with the Police, and Sting was at the side of the stage when we came off," frontman James Walsh tells Spinner. "He said, 'I really enjoyed your set and I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Isle of Wight.'"

Having Sting standing in the corner watching might overwhelm some bands, but Walsh says Starsailor doesn't get nervous anymore. "It's still a bit of a thrill to have legends like that watching us. [But] we kind of got used to it," Walsh says. "The highlight for us was when we played with the Rolling Stones and a couple of members of that band were at the side of the stage. Mick Jagger told us that he bought our first record."

Also representing the Stones at the side of the stage that night was guitarist Ron Wood. As a result of that show, Wood lends slide guitar to 'All the Plans We've Made,' the potential title track of Starsailor's forthcoming CD. "It was really cool to have him down at the studio," Walsh says. "He was only in for an hour. He came in, did a couple of takes and that was it. But we made sure we got a couple of pictures."

Meanwhile when Starsailor return to America for a tour, there's yet another icon they'd like to rub elbows with. "When Bono decides to get the boys back together for a tour, we'll be throwing our hands up to do the leg," Walsh says. "I think the missing piece in the jigsaw is a tour like that in the States. That would be a dream come true."

On This Date in 1992: Mick Jagger becomes a grandfather when his daughter Jade gives birth to Assisi Lola Jackson.

The Almanac Advises for July 2: "A gift that never fails to put a smile on ol' Gramps' lips is a T-shirt or mug that contains the slogan 'World's Greatest Grandpa.'"

On This Date in 1967: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are convicted of drug charges. Jagger is sentenced to three months in prison; Richards is handed down a year's sentence.

The Almanac Advises for June 29: "For many first-time drug offenders, a small prison sentence is often given, with the intention to 'scare them straight.'"

Guys looking to impress 'Kissed a Girl' sensation Katy Perry better have their A-game going. "I'm a tough cookie," Perry tells Spinner. "I don't care who you are." Just ask legendary lothario Mick Jagger.

Perry, who worked with producer Glen Ballard on her debut album met Jagger at a dinner in L.A. through Ballard's friend Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. When asked if the Rolling Stones frontman had any words of wisdom for her, she laughs. "Besides the ones when he was trying to take me home," Perry says, "and took home my other girlfriend instead cause I ain't gonna have none of that? Mick Jagger could be my dad. I don't cross 60. The age limit's probably 30."

Perhaps one of the reasons Perry doesn't get swayed by fame is due to her bloodline. "My dad used to be an acid dealer for Timothy Leary and my mom dated Jimi Hendrix for half a second," she recalls. "They have a couple of stories."

But there is one ladies man even Perry isn't immune to. "I wish John Mayer would hit on me," she says. "But that's a whole other story."

On This Date in 1989: Rolling Stones bass player Bill Wyman, 52, weds Mandy Smith, 19, whom he had been dating for six years. Wyman's 28-year-old son, Stephen, serves as his best man.

The Almanac Advises for June 2: "Often in a second marriage, it's the children who have a rough time adjusting to a new stepmother. The stepchild may wish to challenge the authority of the new maternal figure in his life. It is the job of the child's natural parent to integrate the youngster into the new family unit as smoothly and unobtrusively as possible."

Hometown: New York

Sounds Like: Beck, David Bowie

The Story: Val Brokesmit is to Bikini Robot Army as Mike Skinner is to the Streets. Brokesmit put together his one-man show in the summer of 2006, after his previous collaborative projects called it quits. Now gaining momentum through his OurStage profile -- he finished Top Ten in three categories in April -- he, his ProTools and the resulting dance-rock song haven't looked back.

Free Download: 'Fragile Things' (MP3)

Why do you think you are doing well on OurStage?
I'm not really sure. I'd like to think it's because my music is really, really great, but it's probably because my friend Paul designed a really cool Bikini Robot Army poster for me.

OurStage's Interview with Val Broeksmit continues after the jump.

On This Date in 1965: Keith Richards and Mick Jagger write the Rolling Stones hit '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' in a hotel room in Clearwater, Fla.

The Almanac Advises for May 6: "Research has shown that the following factors figure in a person's satisfaction in life: a network of intimate friends, a healthy relationship with a partner, a fulfilling career, ample leisure time and fun hobbies, a good financial situation, sufficient sleep, regular exercise and a healthy diet."

"You guys think you came to a Rolling Stones concert? F--- that."--Madonna

At last night's intimate NYC show supporting the release of 'Hard Candy,' the pop icon joked with the crowd, riffing on her own axe-wielding performance.

On This Date in 1998: Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood escapes from a boat that bursts into flames off the coast of Brazil.

The Almanac Advises for April 9: "Some of the main factors in boating mishaps include the following: 1) a lack of life vests for all passengers; 2) the boat being piloted by a captain who have not had the proper nautical safety training; 3) the overconsumption of alcoholic beverages."

"I can't remember yesterday. I smoke my head off. I smoke weed all the damn time." --Keith Richards

The Rolling Stones guitarist explained to the Sun the challenges he will face when compiling his already-sold autobiography.

• The Rolling Stones will finally play Blackpool, England after a 44-year concert ban. The city council previously barred the rockers from performing after a riot broke out at a 1964 gig.

• The Indigo Girls will launch a summer tour, beginning May 31 in Richmond, Virginia. The folk duo, who have been on the road supporting their latest album, 'Despite Our Differences,' will wrap the trek on July 28 in Peeskill, New York.

• Crowded House will hit North America for a three-week tour beginning April 28 in New York City. The band will play multiple shows at major market venues around the U.S. and Canada.

On This Date in 1965: Three members of the Rolling Stones are fined £5 each for urinating on the wall of a London gas station.

The Almanac Advises for March 18: "Until the 1970's, the concept of servicing one's own fuel needs was rare. Now, self-service stations, in which the customer pumps his own fluids, are prevalent in both the U.S. and throughout Europe."

It's one of rock's best-kept dirty little secrets. The Rolling Stones – the perpetually cool, big-lipped, hard-living, death-defying Rolling Stones – were co-founded by a Grade-A dork. Boogie-woogie pianist Ian Stewart was an obsessive R&B traditionalist on the early-'60s London nightclub scene when he met Brian Jones, the other original Stone, through an ad in the paper. Jones, the mod multi-instrumentalist whose recklessness would epitomize the band's devilish image, was found at the bottom of his swimming pool on July 3, 1969, shortly after his excommunication from the band. That story is well-told. But it was the unassuming Scotsman Stewart – "Stu," as he was called – who may have shaped the Stones' sound even more than Jones did.

Oddly, he did so mainly after being dumped from the band. After some early recruits gave way to the classic lineup of Jones, Stewart, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, the fast-rising band came to the attention of Andrew Loog Oldham, the onetime Beatles publicist. He took over as the band's manager, cultivating a mean-spirited image for the group (supposedly borrowed from his affection for the Anthony Burgess novel 'A Clockwork Orange'") to counter the wholesome appearance of the young Beatles.

On This Date in 1977: Keith Richards is arrested in Toronto. The Rolling Stones guitarist is charged with possession of cocaine and heroin.

The Almanac Advises for February 27: "The Canadian snowfall can lead to harsh conditions in winter months. The prodigious amounts of heavy white powder can be debilitating if not brutal to those people who are braving Canada at a time when many others depart for more comfortable and less snowy climes."