Feature: Rolling Stones rocks Havana with historic concert

The legendary British rock band the Rolling Stones played its first ever concert in Cuba on Friday in front of half a million fans, widely touted as the island country's biggest rock show ever.

Performing at the open-air sports complex Ciudad Deportiva in the capital Havana, the veteran members of the Stones, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards, took the stage at 8:35 p.m. local time with their famous song "Jumpin' Jack Flash."

"Good night my people of Cuba, we're finally here and this will be an unforgettable evening," Jagger said to the fans after finishing their first song.

One of the most distinguishing features of the night was the tremendous lights along with strong tones and impeccable sound that made it possible for everyone to experience the best of all songs. Not only the local people enjoyed the show, but also Stones' fans from all over the world made the trip to the island to witness the landmark show.

"It's a historic moment that we could not lose," Alberto Moreno, a 35-year-old Mexican tourist who attended the performance told Xinhua.

"This is a once in a lifetime concert that we'll never forget," said Roberto Montanez, a 21-year-old college student who arrived early in the morning to grab a good spot together with friends.

Hundreds of people even camped out near the sports complex the night before in order to secure the best places for themselves in the open field.

Jagger joked and commented on the group's experiences in Cuba in the past 24 hours in perfect Spanish, and thanked the audience for making their first performance in the Caribbean country come true.

Cubans from different generations attended the show and many believed it has been the most important cultural event in the island in the last 50 years.

"I grew up with the Beatles, Led Zeppelin as well as the Rolling Stones, and it is a spectacular concert that I'll never forget," Arturo Martinez, a 65-year-old Cuban, told Xinhua.

For the performance, the Stones' production team imported 61 sea containers to decorate the concert venue. "This concert could mark the start for recognized world artists to include Cuba in their tours," said Maria Gutierrez, an 18-year-old college student.

Also, thousands of police and military officers were on duty to maintain security during the event.

Jagger said this concert was the best choice to close out its "Ole" Latin America tour, which also included concerts in Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Mexico.

The performance, which lasted for two hours and twenty-five minutes, concluded with the worldwide famous "Satisfaction" that made the audience jump and sing along with the rock band, setting off a new upsurge. Endi