In May 1968 the band embarked on a short European tour and while in England for concerts at the Middle Earth Club and Blaises, the Byrds met with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards who both expressed concern over the Byrds' intention to tour South Africa during the summer. McGuinn remained undaunted regarding these concerns over the country's apartheid policies, having already received the blessing of South African singer Miriam Makeba. He convinced the rest of the Byrds that a trip to South Africa would be an interesting experience. This meeting between the Byrds and the two Rolling Stones would play an important part in Parsons' departure from the band two months later.