EXPECTED AT STONES RIO GIG


Also see:
THE ROLLING STONES
10


THE ROLLING STONES and one million of their fans will take over one of Brazil's famed beaches for a free rock and roll extravaganza on Saturday night (18FEB06).

The Stones will play on a huge stage being constructed on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana Beach and organisers expect over a million fans to attend, creating one of the biggest concerts ever.

The gig will take place opposite the elegant Copacabana Palace Hotel, where the band will be staying.

Authorities in Copacabana, where the gentle bossa nova sound was created in the 1950s, are planning a huge security operation with 10,000 police on duty.

Rio has long been plagued by violent crime and Copacabana is now infested with drug dealers and prostitutes.

In an effort to avoid mingling with the masses, the START IT UP band will cross from their suite on the sixth floor of the hotel to the stage via a specially built walkway over the street.

The walkway leads directly onto the seven-storey high stage on the beach.