After years of not having any concert in Cuba since Western rock and pop was banned by the country's communist government, the people get to watch their first concert with a performance from The Rolling Stones despite the requests from the Vatican to stop the show.
The historic concert was opened by frontman Mick Jagger by welcoming the thousands of fans in Havana with a performance of their 1968 hit "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "It's Only Rock 'n Roll," Yahoo reported.
Fans travelled to the area to watch the concert as they queued for hours to get to the grounds of Ciudad Deportiva in Havana, the venue of the historical concert.
"It was forbidden. We couldn't have the Beatles or some singers from Latin America. Now we are allowed to hear what we want to hear," one fan said according to BBC News.
Meanwhile, the band received a letter from the Vatican asking them to skip playing on Good Friday, suggesting that they start at midnight in order to avoid making music and gathering crowds on the holy day. But the rock band could not disappoint about half a million fans who are expecting to watch the gig. Hence, they pursued with the performance.
“The band’s team were flabbergasted when the Vatican got in touch by letter – couldn’t believe their eyes. Much as they didn’t want to upset the Pope, they had a contract to play and were going to honour it," a tour insider said, according to the Mirror. "They have made a promise to the Cuban people and won’t let them down."
Mirror added that the group, comprising 72-year-old Jagger, 72-year old Keith Richards, 68-year-old Ronnie Wood and 74-year-old Charlie Watts, respectfully responded to the Vatican saying that there are also other music events being held around the globe on Good Friday.
"Time changes everything. So we're very pleased to be here," said Jagger, calling their concert a historic moment. "It would have been surprising for this to happen 10 years ago."
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