Huge 70s rock band perform hit song for first time in 25 years

Global music icons The Rolling Stones thrilled the crowd this week with a rendition of their first hit song in America (Picture: Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

The Rolling Stones treated fans at a concert this week to the first live rendition of a song in 25 years.

Fronted by singer Sir Mick Jagger, the iconic British group, who formed in London in 1962, have enjoyed decades of success.

Hits such as (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction , Paint it, Black and Gimme Shelter saw the rock band enter the 1970s as one of the biggest musical acts in the world, and their consistent work over the intervening years has kept their reputation intact.

However, the Rolling Stones are still capable of springing a surprise or two on fans, after delighting concertgoers at the New Orleans Jazz Festival on Thursday evening by performing their cover of Time Is On My Side for the first time since 1998.

The 1963 song was first recorded by soul songstress Irma Thomas, who inspired the group to cover it and make it their own.

So, naturally, the Stones invited Thomas, 83, onstage this week to celebrate 60 years since they released their version of the track.

Sir Mick Jagger welcomed Irma Thomas onstage to sing Time Is On My Side with him, a cover of her song they first recorded back in 1964 (Picture: Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

The Stones hadn’t performed the track live in 25 years (Picture: Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

It thrilled the crowd at New Orleans Jazz Festival (Picture:Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

It was also only the second time they’d performed it since 1982.

According to Rolling Stone, 80-year-old Sir Mick told the crowd: ‘In 1964, which is a very long time ago, we heard this great song on the radio by this amazing singer. We recorded it and it became our first kind of hit in America.

‘The lady that did the song first, she’s the Soul Queen of New Orleans! I’d like to bring out on stage now to sing the song with us, here she is, Miss Irma Thomas!’

Dressed in an off-the-shoulder black, blue and green patterned ensemble, Irma duetted with the British star, who sported a red sparkly jacket, with the pair beaming as they sung together, holding hands at one point.

Madonna’s record-breaking free show in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night has also shone a spotlight on the Sones’ similar offering at Copacabana beach back in 2006, which attracted roughly 1,500,000 fans to Madge’s estimated 1,600,000.

However, both pale in comparison to Sir Rod’s New Year’s Eve bash there in 1994, which reportedly attracted a massive 4,200,000 revellers.

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