Stones' fans scramble for tickets

Rock legends the Rolling Stones today promised “to deliver” as fans scrambled for tickets to their first UK tour dates in four years.

The Stones are hoping 60,000 fans will watch them when they play at the home of English rugby, Twickenham, in August as part of their 40th anniversary Licks tour.

Speaking on GMTV, guitarist Keith Richards, 58, said the band had mastered the technology to ensure the quality of shows.

He said: “The band can get on stage and 99.9% of the time we know we can deliver.”

Singer Mick Jagger, 59, said: “You have to enjoy yourself first out there. I am not out there to touch people.

“I think the energy level is something important.”

And Ronnie Wood, 55, said: “Even though we don’t understand why we are so popular and keep getting bums on seats, it is rewarding to know it means so much to them.”

Richards added: “Until somebody can knock us off our perch, I guess we will go on.”

The band has announced three London dates – Twickenham on August 23, the Astoria on August 27 and Wembley Arena on August 29.