The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band that formed in London in 1962 and have been active for over six decades. They are considered one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the rock era. The band initially gained recognition in the UK for their cover songs before achieving international fame. Their estimated record sales are over 200 million, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Formation and Early Years

The origins of the band can be traced to the childhood friendship of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in Dartford, Kent. They lost touch but reconnected in 1961 over a shared love for blues and R&B music. The band began to take shape in March 1962, when Jagger and Richards joined forces with Brian Jones, a guitarist from the London blues scene. The initial lineup also included pianist Ian Stewart, bassist Dick Taylor, and drummer Tony Chapman. Their first performance as "the Rollin' Stones" was on July 12, 1962, at the Marquee Club in London. The name was inspired by a Muddy Waters track.

By 1963, the lineup solidified with Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar), Brian Jones (multi-instrumentalist), Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums). Ian Stewart was moved to the role of road manager and sideman by their manager, Andrew Loog Oldham. The Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership quickly became the band's creative engine.

Rise to Fame and Musical Style

Rooted in blues and early rock and roll, The Rolling Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion in 1964. They distinguished themselves with a gritty, rhythmically driven sound that would come to define hard rock. Their rebellious image, a contrast to the more clean-cut Beatles, resonated with the youth counterculture of the 1960s. International success came with hits like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1965), "Get Off of My Cloud" (1965), and "Paint It Black" (1966). Their 1966 album Aftermath was their first to feature all-original material and is considered a formative record.

Evolution and Key Albums

Throughout their career, the Stones have explored various musical genres while staying true to their rock and blues roots. The late 1960s and early 1970s are often considered their golden era, producing a string of classic albums.

Significant Albums Include:

• Beggars Banquet (1968): Marked a return to a rawer, blues-based sound and featured the iconic track "Sympathy for the Devil".
• Let It Bleed (1969): This album included hits like "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want".
• Sticky Fingers (1971): The first album released on their own label, Rolling Stones Records, it featured the classic "Brown Sugar" and the iconic tongue and lips logo.
• Exile on Main St. (1972): A sprawling double album, it is widely regarded as a masterpiece for its blend of rock, blues, country, and soul.
• Some Girls (1978): This album saw the band incorporating elements of punk and disco, resulting in hits like "Miss You".

Later Years and Legacy

Brian Jones left the band in June 1969 and tragically died less than a month later; he was replaced by Mick Taylor. Taylor remained with the band until 1974, after which Ronnie Wood joined in 1975, solidifying a lineup that would last for decades. Bassist Bill Wyman left the band in 1993. Following the death of Charlie Watts in 2021, the core of the band consists of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood. They continue to tour with Steve Jordan on drums.

The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. They have continued to release new music, including their 2023 album Hackney Diamonds, and undertake major international tours, cementing their status as rock and roll legends.