Body fades, but the spirit remains...The Rolling Stones 50th anniversary tour 2012

"The Rolling Stones announce tour dates at London's O2 Arena"

After weeks of speculation, The Rolling Stones to confirm they are to perform at London's O2 Arena in November.

October 15th, 2012

The Telegraph

Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood confirmed their long-awaited return to the stage via this video.

The veteran band, who this year celebrate 50 years together, are set to play two shows in London on November 25 & 29, as well as two at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey on December 13 & 15.

Mick Jagger said: “Everybody loves a celebration, and London and New York are two good places to do it in!”

Keith Richards added: ”Sorry to keep you all hanging around but the waiting is over. I've always said the best place for rock and roll is on the stage and the same is true for the Stones. I'm here with Mick, Charlie and Ronnie and everything is rocking. See you very soon!"

The concerts will be promoted by Sir Richard Branson's new venture Virgin Live and Paul Dainty, whose Dainty Group is the fifth largest concert promoter in the world.

According to the unnamed source, Billboard said that the band will be paid £15.7 million ($25 million) for the four shows.

The live dates, called 50 & Counting: The Rolling Stones Live, would be the first concerts that the band have played since their A Bigger Bang world tour, which ended in 2007.

Any tickets are sure to be snapped up in minutes. Although the O2 in East London is a large venue with a capacity of around 20,000 people, it is far smaller than outdoor venues such as Wembley Stadium and Hyde Park, both of which the band have played in the past.