Rolling Stones make history with free concert in Cuba

Patrick Oppmann
By Patrick Oppmann, CNN
Updated 1:10 PM EDT, Sun March 27, 2016
HAVANA, CUBA - MARCH 25: The Rolling Stones performs on stage at a free concert March 26, 2016 in Havana, Cuba. Thousands of fans listened to the Rolling Stones play for the first time, after the music was once banned by the Cuban government. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Story highlights

Rolling Stones became the first major international rock band to play in Cuba

Hundreds of thousands of people attended the free concert

CNN  — 

It may have only been rock ‘n’ roll – but Cubans seemed to like it.

On Friday, the Rolling Stones became the first major international rock band to play in Cuba, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to a free concert at a decrepit sports complex on the road to the airport.

The Rolling Stones became the first major international rock band to play in Cuba. More than 100,000 people attended the concert at the Ciudad Deportiva in Havana.
The Rolling Stones became the first major international rock band to play in Cuba. More than 100,000 people attended the concert at the Ciudad Deportiva in Havana.
YAMIL LAGE/AFP/Getty Images
Cubans celebrated at the concert, the first for the band.
Cubans celebrated at the concert, the first for the band.
YAMIL LAGE/AFP/Getty Images
"Years ago it was difficult to hear our music but here we are," Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger told the crowd in Spanish. "The times are changing."
"Years ago it was difficult to hear our music but here we are," Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger told the crowd in Spanish. "The times are changing."
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
After the Cuban revolution, rock music was banned.
After the Cuban revolution, rock music was banned.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The concert was the result of months of diplomacy after the United States and Cuba announced that they would repair decades of broken relations.<br />
The concert was the result of months of diplomacy after the United States and Cuba announced that they would repair decades of broken relations.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Perhaps aware that many of the Cubans attending had not heard much of the band's music, the Stones played many of their most familiar classics, like "Paint it Black," "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Brown Sugar."<br />
Perhaps aware that many of the Cubans attending had not heard much of the band's music, the Stones played many of their most familiar classics, like "Paint it Black," "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Brown Sugar."
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Given the low wages of most Cubans, the show was free.
Given the low wages of most Cubans, the show was free.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Cuban police and soldiers walked around the concert but it was marked by a mostly joyous atmosphere.
Cuban police and soldiers walked around the concert but it was marked by a mostly joyous atmosphere.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images