Biography
The Rolling Stones, a British rock band formed in London in 1962, originated from the chance reunion of childhood friends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards at a Dartford train station in 1961, where they bonded over shared blues records by artists like Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. Jagger and Richards soon joined multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones at the Ealing Club, performing with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, before Jones assembled them into his own blues-based band, adding Ian Stewart on keyboards and initially Mick Taylor on bass; the group debuted as 'the Rollin' Stones' on July 12, 1962, at London's Marquee Club, naming themselves after Muddy Waters' track 'Rollin' Stone'. By early 1963, Bill Wyman joined on bass and Charlie Watts on drums, solidifying the classic early lineup, as they honed their raw Chicago blues style in gritty London clubs amid financial struggles.
Under manager Andrew Loog Oldham, who signed them in 1963, the Stones exploded during the British Invasion, initially covering American R&B but soon crafting Jagger-Richards originals like '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction,' blending blues, rock 'n' roll, and a rebellious edge that contrasted the Beatles' pop polish. Their sound evolved through psychedelic experiments in the mid-1960s before returning to blues roots, peaking in the late 1960s and early 1970s with albums like Aftermath (their first all-originals) amid lineup shifts: Brian Jones was ousted in 1969 and died shortly after, replaced by Mick Taylor, who later exited for Ronnie Wood in 1975. Known for their dark countercultural vision, the band achieved massive success with hits like 'Paint It Black' and enduring tours.
Today, with Jagger, Richards, and Wood as core members—following Charlie Watts' death in 2021—the Stones remain rock's longest-running act, celebrating 60+ years with vitality, as seen in their 2023 tour and album Hackney Diamonds, their first original studio release in 18 years, cementing a legacy of innovation, excess, and blues-driven defiance.
Fun Facts
- The band name came when Brian Jones spotted Muddy Waters' 'Rollin' Stone' LP during a phone call to Jazz News in 1962.
- Their first gig on July 12, 1962, at Marquee Club featured Mick Avory (later of The Kinks) on temporary drums.
- Giorgio Gomelsky's Crawdaddy Club residency in 1963 sparked their first major following and 'renaissance for the blues'.
- By 1964, UK polls rated them more popular than The Beatles.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Muddy Waters - Primary blues inspiration; band name derived from his song ('Rollin' Stone' track)
- Chuck Berry - Key R&B and rock 'n' roll influence on early covers ('Come On' debut single cover) [1961-1963]
- Alexis Korner - Early club performer who hosted them at Ealing Club (Blues Incorporated gigs)
Key Collaborators
- Brian Jones - Bandleader and multi-instrumentalist, founded the group (Early lineup, Aftermath) [1962-1969]
- Bill Wyman - Original bassist (Debut singles to 1990s) [1962-1993]
- Charlie Watts - Drummer for classic lineup (All major albums until 2021) [1963-2021]
- Mick Taylor - Guitarist post-Jones (Late 1960s-early 1970s albums) [1969-1974]
- Ronnie Wood - Current guitarist (Hackney Diamonds) [1975-present]
- Ian Stewart - Original keyboardist/pianist (Early recordings) [1962-1983]
Artists Influenced
- The Beatles - Visited Stones' early Crawdaddy shows, part of shared British Invasion rivalry (N/A)
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Aftermath | 1966-04-15 | Album |
| Some Girls | 1978-06-09 | Album |
| Let It Bleed | 1969-12-05 | Album |
| Tattoo You (2009 Re-Mastered) | 1981-08-24 | Album |
| Out Of Our Heads | 1965-07-30 | Album |
| Sticky Fingers (Remastered) | 1971-04-23 | Album |
| Goats Head Soup (Remastered 2009) | 1973-08-31 | Album |
| Beggars Banquet (50th Anniversary Edition) | 1968-12-06 | Album |
| Forty Licks | 2023-07-26 | Album |
| Exile On Main Street (2010 Re-Mastered) | 1972-05-12 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Paint It, Black (Aftermath)
- Start Me Up - Remastered 2009 (Tattoo You (2009 Re-Mastered))
- Gimme Shelter (Let It Bleed)
- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Mono Version (Out Of Our Heads)
- Beast Of Burden - Remastered 1994 (Some Girls)
- Miss You - Remastered (Some Girls)
- Angie - Remastered 2009 (Goats Head Soup (Remastered 2009))
- Sympathy For The Devil - 50th Anniversary Edition (Beggars Banquet (50th Anniversary Edition))
- Wild Horses - 2009 Mix (Sticky Fingers (Remastered))
- You Can't Always Get What You Want (Let It Bleed)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
ROLLING STONES has been played 18 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.