Granddads of rock: Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney still got it

It's not often you get to see some of the greatest names in rock 'n' roll. It's almost never that you get to see two of them in the same week. But that's what's happening in Seattle this week, when KeyArena plays host to both the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney. Both have new albums, and despite pushing past 60, both have some of the most dynamic, lucrative stage shows around. Here's a breakdown of the shows:

The Rolling Stones

7:30 p.m. Sunday, KeyArena, Seattle Center

Tickets: $60-$350, 206-628-0888, www.ticketmaster.com

Band: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood, Darryl Jones, Chuck Leavell, four-piece horn section

Opening act: Mötley Crüe

New album: "A Bigger Bang." The best new Stones album in 25 years, with their classic blues/rock sound skillfully updated. Mick Jagger is as sassy as ever, with romantic, sexy and provocative songs, including the overtly political "Sweet Neo Con." Keith Richards is more inventive than ever on guitar. Will probably be the best-selling Stones album since the '80s.

What to expect: The two-hour show opens with "Start Me Up" and concludes with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." Several cuts from the new album are featured. Among songs that have showed up regularly on the tour are "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll," "Honky Tonk Women," "Sympathy for the Devil," "Brown Sugar," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Midnight Rambler."

Paul McCartney

8 p.m. Thursday, KeyArena, Seattle Center

Band: Paul McCartney, Paul "Wix" Wickens, Rusty Young, Brian Ray, Abe Laboriel Jr.

Opening act: None.

New album: "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard." The master of silly love songs scores with "Jenny Wren," "Promise to You Girl" and "This Never Happened Before." Some songs suffer from ineffective, easy rhymes. McCartney's voice is stronger than ever. He played almost all the instruments.

What to expect: The two- to three-hour show opens with "Magical Mystery Tour" and ends with "The End." Beatles songs make up most of the set, along with Wings' favorites and cuts from his solo albums. Songs that have been regularly turning up on the set list: "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Got To Get You Into My Life," "I Will," "I'll Follow the Sun," "Blackbird," "Live and Let Die," "Yesterday," "Get Back," "Let It Be."

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com