Rolling Stones announce 50th anniversary gigs in Britain, US

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

AP photo

The Rolling Stones will rock the stage once again with four gigs in Britain and the United States to mark their 50th anniversary, the legendary British band confirmed Monday.
 
In a video released on the Stones' website and their Facebook page, frontman Mick Jagger, 69, and his three bandmates announced four dates in London and New Jersey, confirming widespread rumours of fresh live concerts.
 
Jagger, who had dropped hints in recent months that t0e band would tour again, told BBC radio that the four dates would be followed by a longer string of concerts, yet to be announced.
 
"You must have guessed this was coming. Surely you didn't think we weren't going to do this," the ageing rockers said in a two-minute video filled with clips from old shows, which received more than 6,000 "likes" on Facebook.
 
"Soon we'll be back on stage playing for you in two cities that know how to rock and roll." The band play their hometown London at the 02 Arena on November 25 and 29, followed by two nights at the Newark Prudential Center in New Jersey, just outside New York, on December 13 and 15.
 
The shows will be the first live performances by Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood for five years.
 
Tickets for the upcoming shows go on pre-sale Monday for the London gigs and Saturday for the US shows.
 
The Stones are also set to release a repackaged greatest hits collection called "GRRR!" on November 12, featuring two new songs -- "Doom And Gloom" and "One More Shot".
 
A new documentary "Crossfire Hurricane", tracing the band's colourful history from their first concert to the current day, premieres at the London Film Festival on Thursday.