![]() The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. They have been active for more than six decades and are widely regarded as one of the most commercially successful and influential bands of the rock era. In their early years, they contributed to the development of a rhythmically driven, guitar-based sound associated with hard rock. The classic line-up included vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, bassist Bill Wyman, and drummer Charlie Watts, following pianist Ian Stewart’s removal from the official line-up by manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Brian Jones initially served as the band’s leader, while the songwriting partnership of Jagger and Richards later became central to the group’s output.
The band originated in blues and early rock and roll, initially performing cover versions of American rhythm and blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Howlin' Wolf, and Bo Diddley. After meeting in 1961 in Dartford, Kent, Jagger and Richards developed a musical partnership, and together with Jones, Stewart, and others formed an early version of the group. The name "Rolling Stones" was reportedly inspired by a Muddy Waters song titled "Rollin' Stone". The band’s early line-up stabilised in 1963 with the addition of Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman.
The Rolling Stones played their first billed performance in July 1962 at the Marquee Club in London. By early 1963 they had established a regular following, including a residency at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond. Manager Andrew Loog Oldham signed the band in 1963 and promoted a public image contrasting with that of the Beatles, emphasising a more rebellious and unpolished appearance. He also encouraged Jagger and Richards to develop their own songwriting, which soon became a defining aspect of the band.
Their early singles included "Come On", a cover of Chuck Berry, followed by "I Wanna Be Your Man", written by Lennon and McCartney, and "Not Fade Away". Their first UK number one EP was released in 1964. The band’s early albums consisted largely of cover versions, though original compositions gradually increased. International success grew during the mid-1960s, particularly during the British Invasion period in the United States.
Between 1965 and 1966, the Rolling Stones achieved a series of major hits, including "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Get Off of My Cloud", and "Paint It Black". Their album "Aftermath" was the first to consist entirely of Jagger/Richards compositions. During this period, Brian Jones contributed additional instrumentation, including sitar, dulcimer, and marimbas, on several tracks. Singles such as "19th Nervous Breakdown", "Mother's Little Helper", and "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow?" also charted internationally.
In 1967, members of the band faced legal issues related to drug possession. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were convicted of drug-related offences but later had their sentences reduced or overturned on appeal. Brian Jones also faced legal charges and increasing personal and professional difficulties. That same year, the band released "Their Satanic Majesties Request", an album influenced by psychedelic music, though it received mixed critical responses and was followed by a return to blues- and rock-oriented material.
In 1968 and 1969, the band released "Beggars Banquet" and "Let It Bleed", featuring songs such as "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Sympathy for the Devil", "Gimme Shelter", and "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Brian Jones left the band in 1969 and died shortly afterwards. He was replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor. The Rolling Stones performed a free concert in Hyde Park in July 1969, which was also Taylor’s first major performance with the group. The same year, they played at the Altamont Free Concert in California, an event that became widely associated with violence and controversy.
Their album "Sticky Fingers" (1971) marked the first release on their own label and included songs such as "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses". It was followed by "Exile on Main St." (1972), a double album recorded partly in France, which included tracks such as "Tumbling Dice" and "Happy". Mick Taylor left the band in 1974 and was replaced by Ronnie Wood.
During the 1970s, the band continued to release commercially successful albums including "Some Girls" (1978) and "Tattoo You" (1981), featuring songs such as "Miss You", "Beast of Burden", and "Start Me Up". They also became known for large-scale concert tours.
In the 1980s, internal tensions increased, and members pursued solo projects. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards both released solo albums during this period. The band released "Steel Wheels" in 1989, which marked a reunion of sorts and was followed by a major world tour. That same year, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1993, Bill Wyman left the band and was replaced by Darryl Jones for touring and recording purposes. The group released "Voodoo Lounge" in 1994, followed by the album "Bridges to Babylon" in 1997. Both were supported by large international tours.
In 2005, the band released "A Bigger Bang", followed by an extensive world tour that lasted until 2007 and became one of the highest-grossing tours of its time. Charlie Watts, who had been the band’s drummer since the early 1960s, died in 2021 and was succeeded on tour by Steve Jordan.
In 2016, the Rolling Stones released "Blue & Lonesome", an album of blues covers. In 2023, they released "Hackney Diamonds", their first album of original material in 18 years, which included contributions from guest musicians such as Elton John, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney.
The band has sold an estimated more than 250 million records worldwide. They have received multiple awards, including Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and were inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame. Their long-running career has included extensive touring activity, with the band continuing to perform and release new material into the 21st century.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones
Studio albums
The Rolling Stones (1964, UK)
England's Newest Hit Makers (1964, US)
12 X 5 (1964, US)
The Rolling Stones No. 2 (1965, UK)
The Rolling Stones, Now! (1965, US)
Out of Our Heads (1965, UK and US versions different)
December's Children (And Everybody's) (1965, US)
Aftermath (1966, UK and US versions different)
Between the Buttons (1967, UK and US versions different)
Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967)
Beggars Banquet (1968)
Let It Bleed (1969)
Sticky Fingers (1971)
Exile on Main St. (1972)
Goats Head Soup (1973)
It's Only Rock 'n Roll (1974)
Black and Blue (1976)
Some Girls (1978)
Emotional Rescue (1980)
Tattoo You (1981)
Undercover (1983)
Dirty Work (1986)
Steel Wheels (1989)
Voodoo Lounge (1994)
Bridges to Babylon (1997)
A Bigger Bang (2005)
Blue & Lonesome (2016)
Hackney Diamonds (2023)
Foreign Tongues (2026) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply. |
