FIRST OFF . . .

About 700 Rolling Stones fans who had paid $3 each got to hear the legendary band jam for an hour Saturday night when the group launched its 1989 tour with an unpublicized appearance at a small New Haven, Conn., club. The band opened the 11-song set at Toad’s Place with “Start Me Up” and played several songs from their new album, “Steel Wheels,” which is to be released Aug. 29. The show also featured several Stones’ classics, including, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Honky Tonk Woman,” “Brown Sugar,” and “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Word that the Stones were going to play at Toad’s had leaked out over the last several days, and hundreds of fans were turned away before the Stones took the stage at 10:45 p.m. The Stones have traditionally opened new tours with impromptu shows at small venues. The tour resumes in Philadelphia on Aug. 31.