FIRST OFF . . .

As part of their “Steel Wheels” tour, the Rolling Stones are opening up New York’s Shea Stadium to rock ‘n’ roll for the first time in six years. The Stones will perform two shows at the home of the New York Mets on Oct. 26 and Oct. 28, with a third show possible, according to New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern. Stern said the Stones’ visit would revive a Shea tradition that started with the Beatles’ historic performances there 25 years ago. The stadium has been dark to rock since the Police played there in 1983. . . . In other instances of Stones mania, fans swarmed ticket outlets throughout Northern California on Wednesday as Nov. 4 and 5 concerts at the Oakland Coliseum were announced. The concert dates had been announced in San Francisco 15 minutes before the tickets went on sale at 9 a.m. Long lines were reported at most ticket locations and promoters expected the 50,000 tickets for each reserved-seat concert would sell out by the end of the day. The Stones last played the Bay Area eight years ago.