The Rolling Stones have arrived in Cuba to perform a historic, free concert in Havana, where their music was banned for many years.
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The Stones will become first major worldwide rock stars to play Cuba with a free show due to start at 8:30 p.m. (0030 GMT).
The landmark gig took place at the Ciudad Deportiva, a massive open-air sports complex with a capacity of 450,000.
Mick Jagger welcomed concertgoers by saying in excellent Spanish, “Hello Havana!!”.
“I think I’m going to cry”, said Miguel Garcia, 62, in an interview with the AFP news agency.
The concert comes three days after President Barack Obama wrapped up a visit to the communist-run island during which he declared an end to the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas.
“I’m not a huge Rolling Stones fan, but this is history”.
Among the spectators was a large contingent of foreign tourists, for whom seeing Cuba was as novel as seeing the Rolling Stones is for Cubans.
“Obviously something has happened in the last few years”, Jagger told reporters at Jose Marti International Airport. “I would like to see more groups, for there to be more variety, for more artists to come, because that would mean we are less isolated”.
As most Cubans only earn a paltry $20 a month, there was no charge to see the show.
After getting the crowd moving with hits such as “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)”, “Angie”, “Paint It Black”, and “All Down the Line”, the venue turned quiet to hear lead guitarist Keith Richards play the opening chords of “Honky Tonk Women” with one hand. “This concert could mark the start for recognized world artists to include Cuba in their tours”, said Maria Gutierrez, an 18-year-old college student.
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“Good night my people of Cuba, we’re finally here and this will be an unforgettable evening”, Jagger said to the fans after finishing their first song.
