The Rolling Stones are Rolling Again

On Sunday, the Rolling Stones celebrated their first concert in five years, to mark their 50 years in the entertainment business. With their characteristic swagger and moves, the Stones carried away the packed crowd of 20,000 at London’s O2 Arena, proving that age failed to overtake rock n’ roll. Mick Jagger’s “I Wanna Be Your Man” opened the trip to past for fans who were overwhelmed with the power the band carried even after so many years in business.

The Rolling Stones performed more than two hours of blues-infused rock and hardly seemed out of breath in responding to demands for more. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” had fans jumping out of their seats.

Mary J. Bilge, the American R&B singer and songwriter made a guest appearance on the show and sang the duet “Gimme Shelter” with Jagger, and later sang “I’m Going Down” powered by guitarist Jeff Beck. Former members of Rolling Stones, Billy Wyman and Mick Taylor also performed with the regular quartet of Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards on guitar and Charlie Watts on drums, for the first time in 20 years.

It was an emotional journey, and referring to their roots near southeast London, Jagger told the packed crowd of Rolling Stones fans, “It took us 50 years to get from Dartford to Greenwich! … But you know, we made it. What’s even more amazing is that you’re still coming to see us … we can’t thank you enough.”

The Stones also delighted crowds with singing two tracks, “Doom and Gloom,” and “One More Shot” from their latest greatest hits album “GRRR!”

The band is scheduled to have a tour in the United States recently.