Rolling Stones give fans what they want on Hyde Park stage... 44 years after last playing there By Kimberley Dadds The Rolling Stones returned to London's Hyde Park today - after a gap of 44 years and one day. Last time, Mick Jagger wore a white dress and began by quoting from a poem by Shelley. This time, Jagger - now Sir Mick and celebrating his 70th birthday in three weeks - was wearing a leopard print jacket and he launched straight into Start Me Up, the band's last top 10 hit. In demand:The Stones have enjoyed a memorable summer, but plan to take a break following their Hyde park gigs Going for it: Mick Jagger showed he's still a top front man as he first rocked the stage in a gold embossed jacket 'How're you doing?' he asked the crowd before their second song, it's Only Rock And Roll. It was the Stones' first gig in Hyde Park since that historic free concert on July 5 1969 - just two days after the death of founder member Brian Jones, who was found dead in the swimming pool at his Sussex home shortly after leaving the band. That show marked the live debut of his replacement guitarist, Mick Taylor, who was later replaced by Ronnie Wood. Defying their age: The Rolling Stones last played at Hyde Park during a free concert 44 years ago Legends: Thousands of fans flocked to the park to watch the band in action as they played their hits to much delight Dancing around: Mick might be about to turn 70 but he defied his age with the energetic set on Saturday night Extravagant set: The fans crowded around the stage to hear the iconic hits being belted out one after the other Rocking out: They arrived on stage to rapturous applause before giving it their all on the night Sir Mick hinted this week that today's concert would feature many of the songs from the band's 1969 set list. In an interview with Absolute Radio's Pete Mitchell, he joked: 'Obviously, the same set list is going to be used, it saves me having to think.' But the set opened with a series of songs that had not even been written in 1969. Enjoying themselves: Mick underwent several outfit changes throughout the evening as they stunned during the two and a half hour set Crowd pleaser: The audience chanted each band member's name half way through the set as Jagger introduced them all Still going strong: The foursome made a stunning comeback to the Hyde Park stage as the sun set in London Tens of thousands of people were in the crowd today, including stars such as David Walliams and wife Lara Stone, Gemma Arterton, Ben Wishaw, Chris O'Dowd, Noel Fielding, Simon Fullerand Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, who were all in the Barclaycard Unwind VIP area.. Many in the crowd were too young even to have seen original bass player Billl Wyman play with the band. He left in 1993. Others had clearly grown up with the Stones. Legends: The Rolling Stones entertain fans at London's Hyde Park on Saturday Still Rocking: The Stones' Keith Richards (left) and Ronnie Wood on stage at Hyde Park Richard Thomas, from Odiham, Hampshire, was in Hyde Park in 1969 for that famous gig - though he admitted he did not see much last time. Mr Thomas, celebrating his 63rd birthday today with his wife Debbie, said: "It was all about being there. There were five times more people there than today - but today feels like the closest thing to the Sixties than anything I've experienced since 1969. Sadly, all the people I came with that day in 1969 are now dead, but it was a great experience at the time - the day before my 18th birthday. Lapping it up: Keith Richards grinned as he looked out on Hyde Park full of thousands of excited fans 'It was free back then, and we've paid £100 each today - but with inflation, I reckon that's about right.' Part of the Hyde Park arena was built to resemble a village and up and coming bands entertained the crowds during the afternoon on stages including the Village hall and the Band stand. One performer, Kimberly Anne, 25, was born 19 years after the Stones' last appearance in Hyde Park, but she said it was "an honour" to be on the same bill as them. Chilling: Sir Mick posted this picture of himself relaxing before the show at Hyde Park on Saturday Excited: Sir Mick tweeted about the upcoming shows earlier that day She said: 'I grew up loving their music - and used to play Paint It Black when I was a teenager. 'It's really cool to be here and I'm loving the atmosphere.' The Stones were topping the bill on the second day of a new festival, Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time, which also features Elton John and JLS. The swinging sixties: Mick Jagger in his white dress and the Rolling Stones rock Hyde Park back in 1969 As time goes by: The Rolling Stones pictured in 1969 before their Hyde Park concert. They play two shows at Hyde Park, the second next Saturday, and both will be filmed and recorded. It is thought the sound recordings will go on to be sold through the iTunes store, while footage is expected to form a future DVD release. The Stones' performance at Hyde Park comes just days after their much-anticipated show as headliners at Glastonbury last weekend, which saw them run through many of their best known hits. Supporting act: The Vaccines took to the stage ahead of the Stones to entertain the waiting crowds