Classic Pop Icons

The Rolling Stones have announced the details of their 2013 “50 AND COUNTING” tour, which kicks off at Los Angeles’ Staples Center in early May (date subject to NBA/NHL playoff schedules) and concludes with a return to London’s Hyde Park on July 6.

The announcement follows a five-day publicity campaign, counting down to today’s #StartMeUpWednesday announcement.

Former guitarist with the band, Mick Taylor, will be a special guest throughout the tour.

The Rolling Stones – 2013 tour promo

In a press release announcing the tour, Mick Jagger said:

“’50 AND COUNTING’ has been pretty amazing so far. We did a few shows in London and New York last year…and had such a good time that we thought…let’s do some more. It’s a good show. Lots of the classic stuff everyone wants to hear…with a few little gems tucked in here and there. The stage is shaped like lips and goes off into the venue so I get to run around in the crowd. It’s great fun to be able to get that close to the audience.”

Keith Richards was similarly enthusiastic about the tour:

“From day one at rehearsals it sounded so fresh. You could tell that everybody was dying to get their teeth into it. It was like…open the gates…let us out!. Cause man, it is the life and blood of us to play in front of people.”

The “50 AND COUNTING” tour will be the band’s first venture with worldwide tour promoter AEG Live’s Concerts West.

“50 AND COUNTING” Tour Dates

• 4 May – Staples Center, Los Angeles, USA
• 5 May – Oracle Arena, Oakland, USA
• 8 May – HP Pavilion, San Jose, USA
• 11 May – MGM Grand, Las Vegas, USA
• 15 May – Honda Center, Anaheim, USA
• 25 May – Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada
• 28 May – United Center, Chicago, USA
• 12 June – TD Garden, Boston, USA
• 18 June – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, USA
• 29 June – Glastonbury Festival, England
• 6 July – Hyde Park, London, England.

Here’s the band in action at London’s O2 Arena on November 25, 2012.

“Wild Horses” (Live at O2 Arena London) – The Rolling Stones