CHICAGO (AP): An energetic Mick Jagger skipped, spun, sprinted and pranced Friday night as the Rolling Stones launched their North American tour at Chicago's Soldier Field.
The 75-year-old showed no sign of ill health three months after the tour was postponed because a doctor said he required medical treatment.
By all visible indications: Jagger was Jagger.
Before a sold-out crowd of around 60,000 at the Chicago Bears home stadium, the band's finger-wagging frontman opened with Street Fighting Man, running from the stage in the end zone area and down a narrow stage jutting into the crowd on what is normally the 30-yard line of the football field.
He didn't say he was speaking about his health, but could have been as Jagger looked out at the audience and shouted, "It feels pretty good!"
A cross-section of fans, from ages 18 to 80, swayed and bobbed as they roared the lyrics in unison to the finale of one of the over 50-year-old band's favourites, singing, Let's Spend the Night Together.
Jagger sang for over two hours on a massive stage, with the city's skyline as his backdrop, and seemed no worse for the wear. As he bowed, fireworks exploded overhead.
The No Filter Tour was slated to start April 20 in Miami before doctors told Jagger in late March he required treatment, reportedly for a heart valve issue.
Jagger went out of his way to pay homage to Chicago, home of the blues and long considered an artistic inspiration by the band. He tipped a hat to the Chicago blues with the edgy Midnight Rambler, which featured Jagger himself on harmonica.