The Rolling Stones

As big bands go, they don’t come much bigger than The Rolling Stones. The self proclaimed, “Greatest Rock and Roll band in the world,” was formed in London, in 1962 by Brian Jones. The band are named after a Chicago blues song by Muddy Waters. The initial line up contained - Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar), Brian Jones (guitar), Ian Stewart (piano), Dick Taylor (bass) and Tony Chapman (Drums).

Whilst they were initially influenced by blues music, it was Jagger and Richards who brought the heavier sound to the band – which still dominates their music. The Beatles were instrumental in getting the band connected with a manager (Andrew Loog Oldham), and a record label (Decca).

The Stones quickly set out on a tour of the UK and Europe, which saw them learn the fundamentals that they are still associated with today. Their classic rock and roll look earned them quick success in America – wowing fans across the country with a fresh blast of pop music.

Their swift success prompted Oldham to encourage Jagger and Richards to become more influential song writers. Consequently they contributed seven songs to the 1965 album, ‘Out Of Our Hands,’ of which one was the infamous, ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.’ They followed the album with 1966s’, ‘Aftermath,’ which was entirely the duo’s creation. The album went to number one in the UK and number two in the USA.

The latter half of the 60’s also brought a number of lows for the band – of which most were drugs related. Both Richards and Jagger were arrested on drugs charges, as was Jones in 1967.

Despite their turmoil, the bands 1968, ‘Beggar’s Banquet,’ album marked the first time they were labelled “The greatest rock and roll band in the world.” The album also marked the end of Brian Jones’ time in the band. A growing drugs problem had caused Jones to become less reliable and the band forced him out. Only two months after his departure Jones was found dead in a swimming pool.

The first single released following Jones’ death, ‘Honkey Tonk Woman,’ was released in July 1969 and is still the Stones’ only number one UK single. 1969 was also the year they left their label home Decca, after refusing to re-sign – despite the success that they’d achieved with the label.

To maintain control they set up their own label entitled, Rolling Stones Records and released the massive, ‘Sticky Fingers’ in 1971. The album went to number one in both the UK and America and featured the hit, ‘Brown Sugar.’ 1972’s, ‘Exile On Main St.’ followed and is widely regarded as they’re greatest album.

As the band enjoyed more fame they (particularly Jagger) became more partial to the celebrity lifestyle. This meant that recording sessions were becoming harder to arrange and after a successful tour in 1973, the band relations reached an all time low in 1975. Taylor was angry that the band were becoming complacent and shocked the music world by announcing his departure later that year.

Shortly after Taylor’s departure the band hired, Ronnie Wood. His arrival however, was overshadowed by Richards’s arrest, and eventual suspended sentence for heroin. Richards’s problems meant the latter half of the 70’s, a decade which had started with much promise, was falling apart. The band however,   managed to release, ‘Some Girls,’ in 1978, which featured the disco hit, ‘Miss You.’ It was their most focused work for 3 years.

The ensuing 80’s would be the Stones’ worst decade yet. Although, 1981 saw the band release one of their most iconic songs to date, ‘Start Me Up,’ the early 80’s were again dogged by drugs problems – this time for Wood, and then death of Stewart in 1985. It wasn’t until 89 that the band hit the road for the first time in seven years. This tour, although well received, was tarnished by the departure of Wyman following its conclusion in 1991.

The decade of the 90’s was the Stones’ most commercially unsuccessful. They released three albums, which all received mixed reviews. Although ‘Voodoo Lounge’ (1993) achieved a number one, ‘Stripped,’ (1995) and ‘Bridges To Babylon,’ (1997) failed to reach such highs.

Following their lack-lustre 90’s, the band surprised many by making the first few years of the new century their most successful yet. After they released their greatest hits, ‘Forty Licks,’ in 2002, the band toured extensively and have hardly relented since. The success of the tour simply reaffirmed their iconic status and popularity. So much so, that they released a new studio album in 2004. ‘A Bigger Bang,’ which featured some of their best material for years. The resulting tour has become the highest grossing of all time. True to form, The Stones haven’t lost their unlucky reputation either. In 2005, Richards feel from a coconut tree, which caused the postponement of their tour and weeks later Ron Wood started another period in rehab. Just another day in the office for, “The greatest rock and roll band in the world.”