Charlie Watts (L), Keith Richards (2nd L), Ronnie Wood (2nd R) and Mick Jagger (R) arrive at Somerset House in central London ahead of a party to celebrate the launch of a book “Rolling Stones 50”, a photographic exhibition, and the 50 years since their first show. The Rolling Stones are launching a photographic exhibition marking 50 years since their first gig, as guitarist Keith Richards said the veteran British rock band has been rehearsing again. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones played the Marquee Club in London on July 12, 1962, the first time they performed under the band name which would change the landscape of pop music forever. AFP FILE PHOTO/LEON NEAL
LONDON—Legendary British rock group The Rolling Stones teased fans on Tuesday by announcing the release of a 50th anniversary greatest hits album amid widespread rumors of an upcoming series of live concerts.
The album will be released in most countries on November 12, although North America will have to wait until the following day, the band said in a statement on their official website.
The statement contained no mention of any live performances.
The new collection will include two new studio recordings — “Gloom And Doom” and “One Last Shot” — laid down by the group in Paris in August, the statement said.
The 50-track album, called “GRRR!”, will also include chart-toppers “The Last Time”, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Get Off Of My Cloud”, “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Honky Tonk Women”.
There is also an 80-track “super deluxe” version.
The band had been widely expected to confirm a series of concerts following a report in US music magazine Billboard on Thursday which said they were planning four dates in November in New York and London.
Billboard.com reported the band would play two gigs at London’s O2 Arena and another two at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The magazine said British entrepreneur Richard Branson and Australian Paul Dainty would promote the shows, which could earn the band $25 million (20 million euros).
The Stones have previously said they would not tour this year, then hinted at upcoming gigs during a book launch and photography exhibit marking their anniversary in London in July.
A new film called “Crossfire Hurricane”, which documents the history of the band from their first concert to the present day, is due for release in British cinemas in October.
The last Stones tour, “A Bigger Bang”, ran from 2005 to 2007.