• By Tom Bryant

Stone ageless: 20,000 fans go wild as Mick, Keith, Ronnie and Charlie mark 50 years

26 Nov 2012 00:00

The sprightly legends – who average 68 year of age – kicked off with I Wanna Be Your Man in a blistering set

50 not out: Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones

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The Rolling Stones strode on stage to celebrate 50 years as a band last night and got 20,000 fans rocking.
The sprightly legends – who average 68 year of age – kicked off with I Wanna Be Your Man in a blistering set including Paint It Black, Wild Horses and Gimme Shelter with R&B’s Mary J Blige.
Strutting Mick Jagger, wearing black skinny trousers and a fedora at London’s O2 Arena, said: “What a year it’s been for British celebration. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. We didn’t do that.
“The Olympics. We didn’t do that either. James Bond – we didn’t do the song for that. But we’re glad we here tonight.”
Mick also joked about controversy over ticket prices, which ranged from £95 to £950. “Everyone all right in the cheap seats?” he asked. “But they are not really cheap are they, that’s the trouble.”

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The Rolling Stones: First night at the 02 Arena

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 The foursome of Mick on vocals, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood on guitar and Charlie Watts on drums were joined by ex members Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor.
The legends are due to play another show at the venue on Thursday and three more in the US. But a source said: “Given the demand is sky-high and last night’s fireworks, extra dates are looking more likely by the minute.”
And Keith said recently: “My experience is that once the juggernaut starts rolling, it ain’t gonna stop.”
The band, who have this year produced photo book The Rolling Stones 50 in collaboration with the Mirror and written two new singles, are reportedly getting £15.7million for the five shows.
It’s been five years since their last tour. Last week Ronnie revealed they were still trying to decide which songs to play.
He said: “We’ve been thinking long and hard about the setlist but still haven’t finalised it. You forget how hard it is.”
There are still tickets on sale to see The Rolling Stones on Thursday night here.
- To order your copy of The Rolling Stones 50 book, call the Mirror Bookshop on 0871 8036772.


copied from THE MIRROR