Until this year, not a single CD by the Stones and their lead singer, Mick Jagger, had ever been officially released in the world's most populous nation, said Dai Renzhi, a spokeswoman for EMI Records China. The company released "40 Licks,"the Stone's compilation album, in China earlier this year.

Dai spoke at a news conference in Beijing to publicize the Stones' plan to play their first-ever China shows in April this year, with one performance in Shanghai and one in Beijing.

Tickets for the Shanghai show began booking in selected Maya DVD stores in the city yesterday, and the concert may chalk up a big payoff, judging from the booking.

Floor seats for the band's show in Shanghai, which is scheduled for April 1at the Shanghai Grand Stage, will sell for between 2,800 yuan and 3,000 yuan,with other seats selling for 350to 1,580 yuan.About half of the 3,000-yuan tickets have been booked, mostly by foreigners, according to the Shanghai organizer Xinxin Sports.

Xinxin also said it will increase the number of seats from 8,000 to 9,000.

"In the West, their shows sell out in hours or a few days, "said Chen Jixin, president of Beijing concert organizer Beijing Time New Century Entertainment Co. "But very few people here can name the band members or their best songs."

The Rolling Stones consist of Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts and rhythm guitarist Ronnie Wood.

Tickets for the China shows have yet to go on sale, Chen said.

The British rock band's management was "puzzled" when organizers told them they needed time to educate Chinese music fans about the Stones and time to promote their tour dates, Chen said.

(Eastday.com March 7, 2003)