Rumours of Rolling Stones tour grow

Legendary British rock group The Rolling Stones could be about to celebrate their 50th anniversary with live shows in New York and London, Billboard magazine reported on Thursday. The band have themselves thrown out a few hints, promising on their Facebook site they would announce some "some exciting news" next week. "On Ruby Tuesday 4th September, some news is coming and we want you to be a part of it," said another message. Singer Mick Jagger, 69, sparked rumours of a tour after posting a picture of himself with a caption which read: "Had fun in the Paris studio this week." US music website Billboard.com reported that the band would play four dates, two at London's O2 Arena and another two at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Entrepreneur Richard Branson and Australian Paul Dainty will promote the shows, which will earn the band $25 million (20 million euros), according to the magazine. Guitarist Keith Richards, 68, said in March that the band "were simply not ready" to tour, adding that 2013 was the group's "more realistic" target for hitting the road. Several events have been organised to mark their 50th anniversary including a photograph exhibition and a film, "Crossfire Hurricane", due out in October. The last Stones tour, the Bigger Bang, ran from 2005 to 2007.