The Rolling Stones on Sunday night performed the first of five concerts to mark the 50th anniversary of their debut album.
The two-and-a-half hour London show features the same swagger frontman Mick Jagger first introduced in 1962, and remarkably his trim and fit figure, albeit it a bit more wrinkled, was still in place as he sang through the rock songs that have surprisingly not destroyed his vocal chords after 50 years in front of the mic.
Joining the band for the special engagement was bassist Bill Wyman and guitar master Mick Taylor.
The band performed to a packed audience at London’s 02 Arena.
The Rolling Stones first appeared on-stage at a small London pub where they honored the great legends of American blues.
During the Sunday show Jagger told his bands fans:
“It’s amazing that we’re still doing this, and it’s amazing that you’re still buying our records and coming to our shows. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
While lead guitarist Keith Richard told the audience:
“We made it. I’m happy to see you. I’m happy to see anybody.”
Appearing for a duet was Mary J. Blige, who, along with Mick Jagger, rocked out to “Gimme Shelter.”
Following their London shows, the Rolling Stones will travel to the greater New York area for three more shows.
While the Rolling Stones started out as a band meant to pay homage to their American blues roots, they have become a band that is imitated by thousands of rock hopefuls looking to become the next Rolling Stones.
Can you believe it has been fifty years since the Rolling Stones broke out onto the musical scene?
