Last Friday night The Rolling Stones kicked off the latest leg of their 50 and Counting World Tour in L.A. At that show, the Stones dusted off a few old classics and even debuted Emotional Rescue for the first time ever. The legendary rockers followed that up on Sunday in Oakland by bringing out special guest Tom Waits for a rare live appearance. Today, The Rolling Stones have added one final North American date to 50 and Counting.

On June 24th, The Stones will play the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. as the final North American Date of the 50 and Counting Tour. Tickets for the Washington, DC show go on sale Monday, May 13 at 10AM EDT and will be available at www.rollingstones.com.

Here’s a look at the remaining North American Dates…

May 8 – San Jose – HP Pavilion (On sale now)
May 11 – Las Vegas – MGM Grand Garden Arena (On sale now)
May 15 – Anaheim – Honda Center (On sale now)
May 18 – Anaheim – Honda Center (On sale now)
May 20 – Los Angeles – STAPLES Center (On sale now)
May 25 – Toronto – Air Canada Center (On sale now)
May 28 – Chicago – United Center (On sale now)
May 31 – Chicago – United Center (On sale now)
June 3 – Chicago – United Center (On sale now)
June 6 – Toronto – Air Canada Centre (On sale now)
June 9 – Montreal – Bell Centre (On sale now)
June 12 – Boston – TD Garden (On sale now)
June 14 – Boston – TD Garden (On sale now)
June 18 – Philadelphia – Wells Fargo Center (On sale now)
June 21 – Philadelphia – Wells Fargo Center (On sale now)
June 24* – Washington, DC – Verizon Center (On sale May 13)

The Rolling Stones will play HP Pavilion in San Jose tomorrow night.

The Rolling Stones’ just-about-to-begin tour isn’t selling well. To help sell more tickets, the band is offering up more $85 tickets as it appears no one’s willing to pony up the big bucks to see the legendary rockers. Bob Lefsetz wrote about the Stones’ failure to engage in a riveting essay for his Lefsetz Letter e-mail list (if it’s not up yet at the website it will be soon).

According to Lefsetz, you can pull eight tickets together to Friday’s tour opener which helps explain the “new” $85 tickets. We’re hopeful the Stones and other acts learn a lesson that you can’t expect fans to pony up hundreds and hundreds of dollars as easily as you could in the past.

Here’s six other stories of note this week…

• Beastie Boy Adam “MCA” Yauch Will Have A Playground Named For Him
• Tom Morello Liberates Four ‘Union Town’ Songs for May Day
• The Bonnaroo Schedule And List Of Late-Night Acts Revealed
• David Fricke Weighs In On The First Weekend Of Jazz Fest
• Is The Neutral Milk Hotel Reunion / Tour Gonna Be Worth Wait?
• Portugal. The Man Talks About Their New Album and More

Finally, we’ll have to wait a little bit longer for the long-awaited Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young live album from 1974. Graham Nash told ABC that they have put the release off from its August date until next year, so that they can celebrate the 40th anniversary of the tour. Hey…we waited this long.

As expected, The Rolling Stones continue to add shows to their North American Tour. Today, the band announced new shows in Anaheim, Los Angeles, Boston and Philadelphia. Tickets for the added shows, as well as the originally announced performances in those cities, go on sale this Monday, April 15th at 10AM local time. Go to the Rolling Stones’ ticketing page to find links for the cheaper tickets as it seems that’s the only way to even have a shot, as slim as it is, at the less-pricey ducats.

Here’s the full list of Rolling Stones tour dates as it currently stands…

May 2 @ Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
May 5 @ Oracle Arena – Oakland, CA
May 8 @ HP Pavilion – San Jose, CA
May 11 @ MGM Grand Arena – Las Vegas, NV
May 15 @ Honda Center – Anaheim, CA
May 18 @ Honda Center – Anaheim, CA
May 20 @ Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
May 25 @ Air Canada Centre – Toronto, ON
May 28 @ United Center – Chicago, IL
May 31 @ United Center – Chicago, IL
June 3 @ United Center – Chicago, IL
June 6 @ Air Canada Centre – Toronto, ON
June 12 @ TD Bank Garden – Boston, MA
June 14 @ TD Bank Garden – Boston, MA
June 18 @ Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
June 21 @ Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
June 29 @ Glastonbury Festival
July 6 @ Hyde Park – London, UK
July 13 @ Hyde Park – London, UK

That makes a total of 16 shows in North America, so if the initial report of 18 shows on this side of the Atlantic holds true, there’s still two more to be added. You’ll also note a second London performance and Chicago gig have been added recently.

Before The Rolling Stones announced nine North American dates on Wednesday, reports had the band playing a total of 18 shows on this side of the Atlantic. It was thought that additional shows would be added to 50 and Counting Tour and today we’ve had the first of the additions.

The Stones have added a May 31st show at the United Center in Chicago and a June 6th show at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto to their touring itinerary. Tickets for both performances go on sale to the general public this coming Monday, April 8th, at 10AM local time via Ticketmaster. For those holding Citicards, you can participate in a presale that’s currently underway.

Here’s the current list of Rolling Stones tour dates…

TBA – Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
May 5 – Oracle Arena – Oakland, CA
May 8 – HP Pavilion – San Jose, CA
May 11 – MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, NV
May 15 – Honda Center – Anaheim, CA
May 25 and June 6 – Air Canada Center – Toronto, ON
May 28 and May 31 – United Center – Chicago, IL
June 12 – TD Bank Garden – Boston, MA
June 18 – Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
June 29 – Glastonbury
July 6 – Hyde Park – London, UK

We do expect more shows to be added in the coming days.

Earlier today The Rolling Stones announced a nine-show North American tour and for many the question wasn’t “where is the band playing?” it was “how expensive are tickets?” Mick Jagger discussed the pricing and answered some questions about the coming tour in a Q & A with esteemed music critic Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune.

One question fans had regarding the May/June swing is why didn’t the band book stadiums instead of the much smaller arenas? “The Christmas shows (NYC and London) were arena shows. We got that going, and we’re content with doing that. We’re doing a few outside festival shows in England, but we just feel more in the groove doing arenas,” Jagger told Kot. Mick’s response to Greg’s question about ticketing pricing doesn’t quite leave us with warm fuzzies, “If you really can’t afford a ticket, it’s sad. I feel bad about that. But there are seats at different prices. We have some cheap ones that are quite good, too. There’s a price for everybody I think.” Jagger also revealed that while he’s got new songs ready, they plan to get through the tour before discussing the possibility of entering the studio.

The Stones lead singer also mentioned he’s open to requests via his @MickJagger Twitter feed, explained why Mick Taylor’s touring with them as a guest and espoused loathing for scalpers. Kot’s article is well worth a read and we’re glad Jagger called him out of anyone.

[Chicago Tribune]

Following a fun, and seemingly expensive, guerrilla marketing campaign rock royalty The Rolling Stones have finally announced their first real tour since 2007. The North American segment of the “50 & Counting Tour” starts off at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on a date to be determined depending on the hockey playoffs and is currently set to come to a close at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on June 18th, before the Stones head overseas to play Hyde Park in London on July 6th.

Perhaps the most accomplished act still performing these days, The Rolling Stones celebrated their 50th Anniversary is 2012 by playing a series of five guest-filled shows. In addition to jamming with former band members Mick Taylor and Bill Wyman, the Stones also welcomed a bevy of superstars such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Bruce Springsteen to guest at various points during the 50th Anniversary run. The only guest revealed for this tour will be Mick Taylor.

The Rolling Stones last played Hyde Park in 1969 as part of the Stones in the Park free outdoor festival that took place on July 5th, 1969. Not only was the 1969 Hyde Park show guitarist Mick Taylor’s first gig with the Stones, but it went down just two days after Brian Jones’ death. The dates announced today come in addition to the group’s previously revealed headlining slot of this summer’s Glastonbury Festival on June 29th.

Here’s the full list of Rolling Stones tour dates…

READ ON

It’s no secret that The Rolling Stones are gearing up for a world tour. The band can’t make a move without a news outlet reporting on it, so the whole world knew the Stones had signed a pact with AEG Live to promote a series of upcoming shows shortly after they did so. The question then turned to where and when the Stones will perform and it looks like we’ll get our answer on Wednesday.

This past Friday The Rolling Stones updated their official website and social media outlets with postings stating “5 Days & Counting.” Yesterday, the same outlets sported images and notifications with “4 Days & Counting.” While math isn’t our thing it appears the band is counting down to Wednesday.

The Stones are using the hashtag “#StartMeUpWednesday” to promote the major announcement that seems to be coming on Wednesday and haven’t just stuck to the virtual world for this guerrilla marketing campaign. They’ve also paid for billboards and screens in Chicago and San Francisco to display the band’s iconic tongue logo and phrases from their songs that intimate an announcement is coming on Wednesday.

UPDATE: “Satisfaction” and teaser billboards showed up in Los Angeles… [video]

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The rumors were true, The Rolling Stones will headline U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival this June. The Stones are among the 200 (!!) performers who event organizers have announced will play Worthy Farm from June 28 – 30. HT faves Mumford & Sons, Portishead, Tame Impala, The Smashing Pumpkins, Rodriguez, Phoenix and Steve Winwood are just a few of the other acts of note on this year’s lineup.

Here’s a look at the full lineup…

[Click For Full-Size]

The Stones will play Britain’s most famous festival for the first time on Saturday, June 29th. Mick Jagger tweeted, “Can’t wait to play Glastonbury. I have my wellies and my yurt!” while Keith Richards said, “We all had such a ball last year, and the energy between the band is so good. We can’t wait to play Glastonbury, see you on a summer’s day in England!” Also note former Stones bassist Bill Wyman will perform at Glastonbury with his Rhythm Kings outfit. Tickets sold out before the lineup was unveiled.

Brittany Howard must have to pinch herself from time to time to make sure that she’s not dreaming. The Alabama Shakes have been on quite the hot streak of late – making their SNL debut, earning three Grammy nominations and they have a monster summer tour lined up. Next up for Howard will be her solo first release on Jack White’s Third Man Records label, which sees the Shakes front woman teaming up with Ruby Amanfu (White’s duet partner on Love Interruption from his solo album), for a very cool sounding Blue Series Single that will be released on March 12. The A-Side will feature a cover of HT fave Rodriguez’s I Wonder from his debut album Cold Fact, while the B Side will see the duo taking on Memphis Minnie’s When My Man Comes Home.

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• The Hold Steady have recorded a new song for HBO’s Game Of Thrones
• Cover Alert: Pond tackles Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
• Steve Berlin of Los Lobos is producing Deer Tick’s new studio album
• Download This: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cold Roses Live
• New Sly & The Family Stone box set to include loads of unreleased material

Finally, while The Rolling Stones seemed to largely ignore their 50th anniversary in 2012, choosing to celebrate the milestone with a handful of anniversary shows on both sides of the pond instead of a major world tour, the band’s enduring influence and legacy will be the subject of a new exhibit opening at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame this spring. Set to open on May 24, the comprehensive exhibit dubbed Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction will take up two-and-a-half floors of the museum. According to the LA Times some of the items that will be on display include “the black leather bomber jacket Keith Richards is wearing on the cover of the 1966 Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) compilation album; a 1970 letter from the Stones requesting Santana’s permission to include their performance in the concert film from Altamont that became ‘Gimme Shelter’ (Santana declined); Mick Jagger’s 1981 stage costume made from British and American flags; and a 1963 publishing agreement for ‘Stoned,’ one of the first songs the band members ever wrote.”

After nearly a year of speculation, warmup gigs and the shows themselves, The Rolling Stones’ 50 and Counting Tour came to a close tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The guest-laden performance was broadcast live as Pay-Per-View special both on television and over the internet.

The Stones started off the show with the old school pairing of Get Off My Cloud and The Last Time before moving on to a Bill Wyman-less It’s Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It) and repertoire staple Paint It Black. Lady Gaga was the first guest of the night as she emerged for a shriek-fueled Gimme Shelter. Following Wild Horses, the Stones brought out Gary Clark Jr. and John Mayer to create a four-guitar attack on I’m Going Down. Over the past few days the band has been soliciting votes for a song to play tonight via their new app. Dead Flowers was the top vote-getter, so Mick Jagger and Co. dusted off the Sticky Fingers classic for its 50 and Counting debut. Next, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, aka The Black Keys, came out to help the Stones on a debut of Bo Diddley’s Who Do You Love.

Setlist:

READ ON

The Rolling Stones‘ 50 and Counting Tour pulled in to Newark, New Jersey tonight for the first of two shows at the Prudential Center that will bring the run to a close. The band shook up the setlist a bit from the London and Brooklyn shows and gave the fans a handful of surprises.

[via @polidorable]

Once again the Stones started off with an old school pairing as they kicked off the set with Get Off of My Cloud and The Last Time. It’s Only Rock and Roll was played towards the back half of the set at the first three 50 and Counting shows but tonight it came much earlier. Longtime Stones backing vocalist Lisa Fischer has sat back as Mary J. Blige and Florence Welsh were spotlighted on Gimme Shelter in London and Brooklyn. This evening Fischer finally got her chance to sing the Let It Bleed classic.

John Mayer came out for what was presumed to be a blues cover like The Stones had done with Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Gary Clark Jr. at earlier 2012 shows. Instead they teamed up for a run through Respectable from 1978′s Some Girls. Respectable hadn’t been performed since the band’s last tour in 2007. Following Wild Horses came the biggest surprise of the night. In their recently released app the Stones had let fans vote on a song to be played at Saturday night’s One More Shot Pay-Per-View. Mick Jagger told the crowd that they would take a request on this night leading the Stones to dust off a cover of Chuck Berry’s Around and Around for the first time since March 5, 1977. Around and Around was a staple of the group’s early live repertoire. It was performed at both “secret” El Mocambo shows in 1977, one version of which made the Love You Live double album.

Set: [Marching Band Walks Through Arena Playing Sympathy For The Devil] Get Off of My Cloud, The Last Time, It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It), Paint It Black, Gimme Shelter, Respectable (w/ John Mayer on guitar), Wild Horses, Around & Around (Last Time Played – March 5, 1977), Doom and Gloom, One More Shot, Miss You, Honky Tonk Women, Before They Make Me Run, Happy, Midnight Rambler (w/ Mick Taylor), Start Me Up, Tumbling Dice, Brown Sugar, Sympathy For The Devil

Encore: You Can’t Always Get What You Want (w/ The Choir of Trinity Wall Street), Jumpin’ Jack Flash, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

[via @RollingStones]

Both new songs off GRRR!, Doom and Gloom and One More Shot, followed the bust out. Later, Keith Richards took a turn out front for Before They Make Me Run and Happy. Then, former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor emerged for Midnight Rambler just as he did for the London shows. While the beginning of the show did see the band switch up the setlist a little, the end of the evening followed the same order as previous 2012 performances. For the first song of the encore, The Stones were joined by The Choir of Trinity Wall Street for You Can’t Always Get What You Want, another trademark of these 50 and Counting shows. Two of the band’s biggest hits, Jumpin’ Jack Flash and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, were the evening’s finales.

The Rolling Stones finish the 50 and Counting Tour on Saturday in Newark.

The months in the planning 12-12-12: The Concert For Sandy Relief benefit concert is finally here. We’ll update this post with a setlist, photos, videos and our thoughts as the night goes along. The expected order of performances is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band > Roger Waters > Bon Jovi > Eric Clapton > Rolling Stones > Alicia Keys > The Who > Kanye West > Billy Joel > Chris Martin > Paul McCartnirvana.

Setlist:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Land of Hope and Dreams, Wrecking Ball, My City of Ruins, Born To Run (w/ Jon Bon Jovi), Living On A Prayer

Roger Waters: In The Flesh, The Happiest Days of Our Lives, Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2, The Ballad Of Jean Charles de Menezes, Money, Us and Them, Comfortably Numb (w/ Eddie Vedder)

Adam Sandler: Hallelujah (w/ Paul Shaffer)

Bon Jovi: It’s My Life, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Who Says You Can’t Go Home (w/ Bruce Springsteen), Living On A Prayer

Eric Clapton: Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out, Got To Get Better In A Little While, Crossroads

Rolling Stones: You Get Me Rocking, Jumping Jack Flash

Alicia Keys: Brand New Me, No One

The Who: Who Are You, Bell Boy, Pinball Wizard, See Me Feel Me/Listening To You, Baba O’Riley, Love Reign O’er Me, Tea and Theatre

Kanye West: Clique > Mercy > Power > Jesus Walks > All Of The Lights > Run This Town > Diamonds From Sierra Leone > Diamonds > Touch The Sky, Gold Digger, Good Life, Runaway, Stronger

Billy Joel: Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway), Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas > New York State Of Mind, River Of Dreams, You May Be Right, Only The Good Die Young

Chris Martin: Viva La Vida, Losing My Religion (w/ Michael Stipe), Us Against The World

Paul McCartney: Helter Skelter, Let Me Roll It, 1985, My Valentine (w/ Diana Krall), Blackbird, Cut Me Some Slack (w/ Dave Grohl, Pat Smear and Krist Novoselic), I’ve Got A Feeling, Live and Let Die

Alicia Keys: Empire State of Mind Pt. 2

All proceeds from tonight’s concert benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund and will be used to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Please head to the organization’s website to donate to the cause.

READ ON

On December 15th The Rolling Stones will close out their 50 and Counting run at Newark’s Prudential Center for a concert that will be broadcast via a Pay-Per-View special. Today the band has announced the guests for that show: The Black Keys, Bruce Springsteen and Lady Gaga.

A statement on the band’s website reads, “We’re excited these extraordinary artists, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga and the Black Keys, have agreed to help celebrate our 50th Anniversary as we share the night live with our fans all over the world. Now the fun begins of trying to figure out the best songs to perform together.”

The Stones are also set to perform at the 12-12-12 benefit show on Wednesday as well as an additional Newark performance on Thursday. As of now, there’s no word on who will guest at the first Newark show. Any guesses at to what the guests will play with The Stones on the 15th?

The Rolling Stones played their first U.S. concert in six years last night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It was the third of five 50 and Counting Run performances and the setlist was nearly identical to the opening show of the run which took place in London on November 25th. Former Stones Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor did not appear last night though Mary J. Blige reprised her role in Gimme Shelter and Gary Clark Jr. stood in for Jeff Beck on Going Down.

An exceptional pit-shot video of Gimme Shelter featuring NYC native Mary J. Blige has already surfaced on YouTube thanks to BadboyView. Check out MJB’s wailing on the classic tune…

Rolling Stones w/ Mary J. Blige – Gimme Shelter

Here’s the full setlist from last night’s show…

READ ON

As we reported back in October, The Rolling Stones‘ final 50 & Counting run show, which takes place at Newark’s Prudential Center on December 15th, will be broadcast live as a Pay-Per-View special. The Stones have teamed up with the WWE to distribute the live special. Today, the full list of cable providers offering the $40 special has been posted along with ordering details. It has also been revealed that fans can watch the show over the web via Yahoo! Music.

We’ll be interested to see how many potential viewers pony up the $40 fee to watch online. While $40 is in line with other Pay-Per-View specials, it’s way more than our readers are used to spending on live music webcasts. Just ask Butch Trucks about how Moogis and its high prices worked out for him. Purchasers will be able to watch the show on-demand for up to 30 days after the event.

Would you spend $40 to watch the Stones from Newark on the web or on TV?