Wood defends Stones gig prices (From Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News)

Wood defends Stones gig prices

10:37am Friday 9th November 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Ronnie Wood said the Rolling Stones do not feel bad about the high prices charged for their forthcoming London gigs, saying: "We've got to make something."

The guitarist said preparations for the two gigs at London's O2 later this month had cost them millions of pounds.

When the November 25 and 29 concerts for the band's 50th anniversary were announced, promoters said the face value price of the tickets ranged from £95 to £375. A "VIP hospitality" ticket was priced at £950.

The band will play to 40,000 people during their two nights at the O2 and will play two more shows in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States, in December.

Ronnie told The Sun: "We've already spent a million on rehearsing in Paris. And the stage is going to be another few million. And the lights. We feel no bad thing about ticket prices. We've got to make something."

The star has previously said the rockers "won't be able to stop" touring if the gigs are a success.

Speaking at the premiere of Crossfire Hurricane, the latest attempt to chronicle their lengthy career on film, the guitarist said the band were sounding "up to and above par" in rehearsals.

He said he was looking forward to getting back on stage, saying: "You would think it would be boring doing the same thing over and over again but it's not. It's totally fresh and totally new every time we get together. There's a chemistry between us every time we get together and I don't know what the hell it is but it's magic."