This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35901988

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cuba: Crowds gather for landmark Rolling Stones concert Cuba: Crowds gather for landmark Rolling Stones concert
(about 5 hours later)
Tens of thousands of Cubans have been gathering in Havana for a landmark free concert by the Rolling Stones. The Rolling Stones have been playing some of their biggest hits to a huge crowd in Cuba, where foreign rock music was banned for several decades.
Fans queued for hours to get into the grounds of Havana's huge Ciudad Deportiva venue. Mick Jagger welcomed fans in Havana in Spanish, before opening the performance with the 1968 hit Jumpin' Jack Flash.
The concert comes after a historic visit to Cuba by President Barack Obama and is being seen as another sign of real change on the island. Many of those at the free concert are lifelong rock fans who for many years had to keep quiet about their love of the Stones and other groups.
The concert comes days after a historic visit by President Barack Obama.
Tens of thousands of Cubans queued for hours to get into the grounds of Havana's huge Ciudad Deportiva venue.
"Hello, Havana. Good evening, my people of Cuba," said Mick Jagger before beginning the eagerly awaited performance.
The gig is being seen as another sign of real change on the island.
Until about 15 years ago Cuba's communist government banned most Western rock and pop music.Until about 15 years ago Cuba's communist government banned most Western rock and pop music.
It was deemed decadent and subversive.It was deemed decadent and subversive.
But Cuba has changed significantly in recent years, particularly in the past 18 months as the process of rapprochement with the United States has quickened, says the BBC's Will Grant in Havana.But Cuba has changed significantly in recent years, particularly in the past 18 months as the process of rapprochement with the United States has quickened, says the BBC's Will Grant in Havana.
Fans travelled from many parts of Cuba and other countries to witness what some described as a historic moment.Fans travelled from many parts of Cuba and other countries to witness what some described as a historic moment.
"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," a fan told the BBC."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," a fan told the BBC.
"The visit from Obama [earlier this week], and now the Rolling Stones. It's just unique and historic. So, yeah, nice to be here," said another one."The visit from Obama [earlier this week], and now the Rolling Stones. It's just unique and historic. So, yeah, nice to be here," said another one.
The Rolling Stones released a short video saying their concert was a sign of change in Cuba.The Rolling Stones released a short video saying their concert was a sign of change in Cuba.
"Time changes everything. So we're very pleased to be here," said Mick Jagger."Time changes everything. So we're very pleased to be here," said Mick Jagger.
"It would have been surprising for this to happen 10 years ago," he added."It would have been surprising for this to happen 10 years ago," he added.
At least a million people are expected to watch the British band's first concert in Cuba from 00:30 GMT (20:30 local). Cuban authorities said they expected at least half a million people to watch the British band's first concert in Cuba.