Stones Get No Satisfaction From Church

Lyrics from The Rolling Stones are not allowed to be engraved on a tombstone.

The Church of England has told the family of a late fan that his tombstone cannot contain the lyric, “It’s only rock n' roll – but I like it.” Church of England court judge Stephen Eyre says, “I would be prepared to authorize an inscription going beyond the recording of Mr. Charles Clapham’s age at death, and his attributes as a loving father and grandfather. What is essential is that any such inscription gives a message which conveys something of Mr. Clapham’s character – -without being capable of being seen as inconsistent with the Christian Gospel.”

In addition to the lyrics, Clapham's sons also wanted to have "finally fell off his perch” engraved, but that to was a no-no with Eyre, who adds, "They cross the line, going beyond quirkiness and humor to undue flippancy and irreverence. The ending of a human life is a serious matter, and the proposed phrase goes too far.”