Rolling Stones rocked Havana – Dagsavisen

– Hello Havana! This is amazing! shouted singer Mick Jagger in fluent Spanish when he took the stage and the band started tonight’s first song, “Jumpin ‘Jack Flash.”

Concert area, which has a capacity of 450,000, was packed with people. Those who could not fit there, filled the streets around, and many had taken place on rooftops to catch up the historic free concert.

– My last wish

– After today I die, says Joaquin Ortiz.

62-year-old has been a rock enthusiast since he was a teenager in the 1960s. The time he had to use album covers from revolutionary Cuban band to hide Beatles and Stones their records.

– This is like my last wish, to see the Rolling Stones, he says .

The communist regime considered while British and American rock music to be harmful. Music from artists like the Stones, the Beatles and Elvis Presley was banned on radio and television after the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959.

Song with

– we know that many years ago it was difficult to hear our music in Cuba, but now we play here. I truly believe that times change. It’s true, is not it? asked Jagger.

The public’s response was ecstatic, and people of all ages jumped up and down to the rhythm of thunderous guitar solos. They sang with the Jaggers choruses under classic after classic, from “Angie” to “Paint it Black”.

The 72 year old British rock legend communicated with the audience in Spanish throughout the 18 tracks long show, which ended with “Satisfaction” after two hours.

longed

Rolling Stones’ first concert in Cuba very much needed among many members of the audience.

– I love Mick Jagger as high. I’ve always dreamed about this, says Angela Menendez, who works to wash floors in a Cuban hospital, told Reuters.

Already 18 hours before the concert began audience filling up football – and baseball courts that make up the big arena in Ciudad Deportivo.

– I think I’m going to cry, said 62 years old Miguel Garcia, who came by bus from Cienfuegos and slept out on the lawn before the concert.

Large-show

Since it was not sold tickets it is difficult to estimate the crowd, but told AFP writes that around 500,000 people attended the Rolling Stones’ Cuba debut.

the audience consisted of both older couples, families and tourists – but also a large number of youngsters.

– Do not let anyone tell you anything other than that this is the best concert in Cuba’s history, says 18 year old Christian said.

Stones were formed in London in 1962, three years after the revolution and the beginning of Fidel Castro’s communist regime. Half a century later hold both Stones and Cuba’s leadership is still going.

The members of the band landed in Havana Thursday, just two days after US President Barack Obama ended his historic visit Cuba. He was the first sitting US president who visited the island nation in 88 years. (NTB)