Rolling Stones announce greatest hits album

London - Legendary British rock group The Rolling Stones teased fans on Tuesday by announcing the release of a 50th anniversary greatest hits album amid widespread rumours of an upcoming series of live concerts.

The album will be released in most countries on 12 November, although North America will have to wait until the following day, the band said in a statement on their official website.

The statement contained no mention of any live performances.

The new collection will include two new studio recordings - Gloom And Doom and One Last Shot - laid down by the group in Paris in August, the statement said.

The 50-track album, called GRRR!, will also include chart-toppers The Last Time, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Get Off Of My Cloud, Jumping Jack Flash and Honky Tonk Women.

There is also an 80-track "super deluxe" version.

Hinted at upcoming gigs

The band had been widely expected to confirm a series of concerts following a report in US music magazine Billboard on Thursday which said they were planning four dates in November in New York and London.

Billboard.com reported the band would play two gigs at London's O2 Arena and another two at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.

The magazine said British entrepreneur Richard Branson and Australian Paul Dainty would promote the shows, which could earn the band $25m.

The Stones have previously said they would not tour this year, then hinted at upcoming gigs during a book launch and photography exhibit marking their anniversary in London in July.

A new film called Crossfire Hurricane, which documents the history of the band from their first concert to the present day, is due for release in British cinemas in October.

The last Stones tour, A Bigger Bang, ran from 2005 to 2007.