Rolling Stones launched 37-city tour in Boston

The Rolling Stones launched into Start Me Up to kick off their latest North American tour at Boston's historic Fenway Park, a fitting venue and fitting opening song for the aging but irrepressible rockers.

Mick Jagger appeared as spry as ever, strutting across the giant stage. "It's great to be back in Boston,'' the 62-year-old lead singer told the crowd Sunday night.

It's been 43 years since the Stones first took shape and three years since they launched their Forty Licks world tour, which many mistakenly believed would be the last for Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the crew, the Canadian CTV reports.

One fan was injured when she fell more than 10 metres feet from the rafters of the right field grandstand, fire department officials said. Neither her name nor the nature of her injuries was immediately released.

The Stones opened with classics Start Me Up, You Got Me Rocking, Shattered and Tumbling Dice, before playing Rough Justice, a song from their soon-to-be-released album, A Bigger Bang.

The 37-city tour gives the Stones' new album, A Bigger Bang, plenty of exposure. It hits U.S. stores Sept. 6, and with 16 tracks, it's their longest studio album since the 18-song Exile on Main Street in 1972.

A Bigger Bang has a stripped down, back to basics sound, returning the band to its hard-driving, bluesy roots.

One song, Sweet Neo-Con, is already generating noise for its overt political tone. While controversy is hardly new for the Stones, the band has only sporadically dabbled in politics or current affairs during its long history.

The tour may well test the band's stamina. The three remaining original Stones - Jagger, Richards and drummer Charlie Watts - are 62, 61 and 64 respectively. Guitarist Ron Wood, now going on 30 years touring with the band, is the baby of the bunch at 58.

Sixty-somethings or not, the Stones aren't having trouble selling tickets, even with prices ranging up to $400 US in some venues. At Fenway, they're playing one of the biggest stages in rock and roll. According to a publicist for the band, it took about 70 trucks to bring it piece by piece from Toronto, where the band rehearsed for the tour.

In Canada, the Stones will be playing shows in Ottawa, Moncton, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.