Jagger Apologizes¿in Catalan Language

MADRID, Spain -- Mick Jagger used the Catalan language to apologize to fans for last year's cancellation of several shows in Barcelona and three other Spanish cities.

In a TV broadcast Thursday as the Rolling Stones prepared a new tour of Spain, Jagger told fans, "We are very sorry we canceled our concert last year, but now we are ready." The apology lasted a few seconds and was prolonged by laughter and clowning from drummer Charlie Watts and guitarist Keith Richards.

Canal 3, the television station that broadcast the apology, described Jagger's Catalan diction as "better than average."

The language is indigenous to the semiautonomous Catalonia region in northeastern Spain.

The apology preceded a concert Thursday night at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium as part of the Stones "A Bigger Bang Tour."

The canceled dates last year were due to Jagger coming down with a case of laryngitis.

Ticket prices for the Barcelona show range from $87 to $249. Organizers said that, as of Wednesday, 8,000 tickets remained unsold.

After Barcelona, the Rolling Stones will play in San Sebastian, Madrid and El Ejido in southeast Spain.