Following on the heels of Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee Celebration, the 50th Anniversary celebration for The Rolling Stones is anticipated to be another block-buster time at London's O2 Arena on November 25th and November 29th of 2012. Rumour has it that 1993-retired drummer, Charlie Watts will join The Stones onstage once again. Although many sources maintain that the estimated 33,000 tickets for these two performances sold out in seven minutes, other sources advise that tickets are still available.

Amidst all the hoopla surrounding this anniversary tour, it is estimated that 90 percent of the audience will be comprised of music lovers who not only are not old enough to be senior citizens, but who do not realize that most of The Stones are senior citizens themselves. With this thought in mind, delving into the group's history will quickly reveal how this renowned rock band has endured the test of time.

In 1962, music lovers, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts decided to form a band. Few people realize that the name adopted by them stemmed from a song, “Rollin' Stones”written by Muddy Waters. During a recent interview, Keith Richards expressed the thought that he was born to make musical history. Ironically, for The Stones, the test of time reared its ugly head in 1963 as their stage manager deemed Ian Stewart's rough and old-age persona to be a turnoff in terms of audience appeal. Although Stewart took a backseat for a while, had it not been for him, their innovative mobile studio might never have become a reality in 1968. Over the past five years, several music critics have cited the mobile studio as one of the most important contributions to the group's success and longevity. The mobile studio was actually a gigantic tractor/trailer truck whose interior contained microphones, sound systems and other essential recording production mechanisms. Last used in 2000, the mobile studio is now owned by The Carlos Music Foundation of Calgary, Canada..

Another stumbling block occurred, circa 1969, when substance abuse issues forced the elimination of Brian Jones from the group. Following Jones' tragic death by drowning in his family's pool a few weeks later, Mick Taylor became the lead guitarist. As things began to become more positive for the Rolling Stones, Taylor's talents were heard for the first time on the group's first U.S., album Sticky Fingers which was recorded in 1971 in the Muscle Shoals, Alabama area.

The cover for this album which drew harsh criticism from many in music business was created by renowned illustrator, Andy Warhol, and displayed the lips and tongue logo for the first time. In 2003, the Sticky Fingers album cover captured the #1 spot on the VH1 Greatest Album Cover list.

For those who are determined not to miss this fantastic reunion event, Rolling Stones London tickets are still available. According to Ronnie Woods, a set of pre-O2 Arena appearances are planned as a part of the get-ready-for-the-big-gig preparations. Fans are advised to watch for musical happenings by “The Cockroaches” at smaller venues having a 200 to 300 seating capacity.

Fans who dream of following The Rolling Stones during their current tour should consider booking tickets now and making travel arrangements for at least one of the two anniversary tour appearances to be held in New Jersey in late December.

According to Mick Jagger, preparations are already in place for an appearance at Glastonbury's West County Festival to be held in 2013. Rumour has it that although tickets for these concerts are currently in sold-out status, in April 2012 tickets deemed to be in cancellation-status will be made available.

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