RUSSIA: MOSCOW: ROLLING STONES PREPARE FOR CONCERT

(11 Aug 1998) Natural Sound Better late than never.... The Rolling Stones will perform before an 80-thousand strong crowd in Moscow on Tuesday - their first ever concert on Russian soil. The “grandfathers of rock’n’roll“ first applied for permission to play in Russia three decades ago - they were denied entry because the Soviet rulers didn’t like their show. They’ve played to (m) millions of fans all around the world. But Russia was one place that has eluded The Rolling Stones - until now. On Tuesday night, the band will perform their first ever concert in Moscow as part of their worldwide “Bridges of Babylon“ tour. On the eve of the concert, the Stones took some time out to visit some of the city’s main sights - saying they wanted to see as much of Moscow as possible. First stop: Red Square - where the band members were met by excited fans and journalists. For the Stones, the concert at the Luzhniki sports stadium will be one of the highlights of the Babylon tour, if not their career. Russia is somewhere the band have wanted to play for over 30 years. They first applied for permission in 1967 before the collapse of the communist Soviet Union. Back then, the Soviets sent officials to watch the Stones play a concert in Poland, which the band hoped would win them permission to play in Moscow. But the Soviets didn’t like what they saw - until now. UPSOUND: (English) “(Q. Do you like Moscow?) Yeah man I do, I like it, yes I do.“ SUPER CAPTION: Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones Despite hitches - such as tax problems, cancelled tour dates and guitarist Keith Richards’ injury - which have plagued the tour, the mood has been upbeat. Frontman Mick Jagger says the Russian concert is a dream come true - and it seems nothing can dampen their enthusiasm. The singer added he wasn’t sure what to expect from the Russian concertgoers, who tend to be more reserved than rock fans in the West. But if the walkabout was anything to go by, they’ll be in for a warm welcome. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: