Rolling Stones Rock out in Brazil

Retrived from Cnn.com

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- The Rolling Stones' monster free concert on Copacabana Beach was a gas, but the million spectators left a monstrous clean-up job on Sunday.

About 400 city workers hauled almost 200 metric tons (220 tons) of trash left behind by the more than 1 million people who attended the concert, which brought a carnival spirit to the city a week ahead of the world-famous annual celebration.

Organizers were already dismantling the huge stage, as well as the eight video screens and the 16 sound towers that allowed fans to take a glimpse of the sexagenarian rockers.

Police officers on Sunday continued to patrol the upscale Copacabana district, which was still crowded with tourists who stuck around to enjoy the beach.

Civil defense officials said nearly 500 people received minor medical treatment during and after the two-hour-long show on Saturday.

The most serious cases were three stabbing incidents that took place during robbery attempts, but none of the victims reportedly suffered life-threatening wounds.

The city deployed 10,000 police officers for the concert -- about three times the usual contingent for the traditional New Year's festival -- as well as 600 firefighters, civil defense workers and lifeguards.

The Stones' opened with "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and played a set of mostly older hits, with a few songs from their newest album, "A Bigger Bang."

During the show, Mick Jagger, who has a Brazilian son, ad-libbed comments in Portuguese, delighting the crowd. At one point, he wore a white shirt with the Brazilian flag and the words "Brasil" and "Rio de Janeiro."

The band arrived onstage Saturday night across a specially erected footbridge that took them directly from their hotel.

The performance left most of the massive crowd satisfied, but not everybody was able to enjoy it.

"I went to see the concert but couldn't see anything, not even the screens," said Lisania da Conceicao, a 22-year-old maid. "My friends came from Aruama (130 kilometers -- 80 miles -- west of Rio) and couldn't see anything either, and they were robbed."

Other tourists had better luck.

"I didn't expect I would even get close," said 24-year-old Beto Andrade, who came from the southern Parana state. "But one thing led to another and I ended up in the VIP area. It was fantastic."

Local media said the band gave a party for 600 people at their hotel after the concert. Organizers could not be reached to confirm the reports.

It was the Stones' third visit to the country, but the first time the band has played free in Brazil, where few can afford tickets to see top international acts.

In Sao Paulo, hundreds of fans were already in line for Monday's U2 concert at Morumbi stadium. The Irish band also will perform at Morumbi on Tuesday.

Band leader and activist Bono was expected to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia on Sunday.