500,000 people attend free Rolling Stones concert in Havana

HAVANA, March 26 (UPI) -- An estimated 500,000 people turned out Friday night for the Rolling Stones' first, free concert in Havana, Cuba.

Voice of America said the attendance number makes the iconic rock band the biggest act to play in Cuba since its 1959 revolution.

The communist island decades ago deemed the Stones and other rock groups subversive and banned them from performing in Cuba.

The musicians arrived in Havana Thursday shortly after U.S. President Barack Obama ended his historic visit to the country.

Lead singer Mick Jagger told the press gathered at the airport when he and his bandmates landed: "Time changes everything. We are very pleased to be here and I'm sure it's going to be a great show."

"Thank you Cuba for an incredible, unforgettable show! It was wonderful to see all of you!" the band tweeted after the concert.

Thank you Cuba for an incredible, unforgettable show! It was wonderful to see all of you! Photos D Hogan#StonesCuba pic.twitter.com/bhM9zCf6gE

— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) March 26, 2016