Richard Branson, Paul Dainty Partner For Global Touring Venture

Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Paul Dainty's Australian touring company Dainty Group have announced a new global touring venture, Virgin Live, whose first tour is the upcoming Rolling Stones shows in London and New York.

The legendary rock'n'roll band, some would say the greatest of all time, will return to the live arena this November and December, celebrating their 50th anniversary by playing two shows at London's 02 Arena and two at Prudential Centre in Newark, near New York.

The announcement of these shows came with the Virgin Live announcement, with both Branson and Dainty having long working relationships with the band. Production company Endemol will also be partnering with Dainty to manage the international digital rights for the shows.

Today Dainty said, “I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin. There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it's all about the Stones.”

He added that the shows were a “must-see”, saying, “I've worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live.”

Richard Branson – one of the world's most famous businessmen – and founder of Virgin Records said that, “Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning! In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events – Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven.

“It's great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows. Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows.”

Branson was rumoured to be in the market for Virign Records in the break-up of EMI's recorded music division following the aftermath of its sale to Universal Music Group, and this is a strong indicator that the tycoon is looking to music again.

As part of Dainty's partnership with Endemol, the second American show will be telecast live via pay-per-view to American audiences through wrestling and pay-per-view giant WWE.

Endemol Group's president Tim Hincks said that the shows are, “set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we'll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other.”

The shows will take place Sunday 25 and Thursday 29 November in London, and Thursday 13 and Saturday 15 December in Newark.