As the grizzled rockers, most of whom are in their sixties, approach the end of a year that has delivered some knocks for band members, fans said part of the draw of the tour is to get a look at the group while it's still around.

It has been a rough year for the Stones, who had to delay their European summer tour after guitarist Keith Richards, 62, in April suffered a concussion after falling from a tree while on vacation in Fiji. Guitarist Ron Wood, 59, checked into a London rehabilitation clinic in June for treatment of alcohol abuse. In August, the band canceled a concert in Spain after lead singer Mick Jagger, 63, developed laryngitis.

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"Everybody knows that these 1960s bands aren't going to be around forever," said Nathan Brackett, senior editor of Rolling Stone music magazine. "You never know if this tour is going to be their last tour."

Despite their ailments, the band showed an energy that belied its years. Frontman Jagger bounced around the stage throughout a concert that included hits, including Satisfaction, Sympathy for the Devil and Paint it Black.

REUTERS