Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones arrived in the United States with the British Invasion of rock and roll (see entry under 1950s—Music

in volume 3) in the mid-1960s. They quickly emerged as one of the most important musical groups in rock history, bringing a new, harder edge to rock while keeping it grounded in the blues (see entry under 1920s—Music in volume 2). Formed in the early 1960s in England, the original lineup consisted of Mick Jagger (1943–) on vocals, Keith Richards (1943–) and Brian Jones (1942–1969) on guitars, Charlie Watts (1941–) on drums, and Bill Wyman (1936–) on bass. The group took its name from a song by bluesman Muddy Waters (1915–1983), "Rolling Stone," and they began by covering blues and early rock tunes.

The Stones soon began writing their own songs. In May 1965, their first big hit, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" hit the British and American airwaves. The Stones developed a badboy image that was in stark contrast to the wholesome demeanor of the Beatles (see entry under 1960s—Music in volume 4) and other British Invasion groups. Some of this image came from their wild hairstyles, clothing, and behavior, but it was in their songs that the Stones pushed the limits of rock music in new directions. "Satisfaction" played on youthful impatience with the world, "Paint It Black" commented on depression, and "Let's Spend the Night Together" put sexuality front and center. Their 1966 album Aftermath was their most important work from this period.

The period from 1968 to 1974 was the Stones' most creative period. The Stones took on an even more original blues sound with the replacement of Brian Jones (who died in 1969) with guitarist Mick Taylor (1948–). This new creativity resulted in a number of landmark rock albums, including Beggar's Banquet (1968), Let It Bleed (1969), Sticky Fingers (1971), and the double album Exile on Mainstreet (1972). They also released a number of hit singles, including "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Brown Sugar," "Sympathy for the Devil," and "Honky Tonk Women" among many others. This period also saw their disastrous concert at Altamont (see entry under 1960s—Music in volume 4), chronicled in the film Gimme Shelter. After Taylor left the group in 1975 (replaced by Ron Wood, 1947–), the Stones continued to produce hit albums, most notably Some Girls (1978) and Tattoo You (1981). By the end of the 1990s, the Rolling Stones were still making good music and touring the world, drawing enthusiastic fans with their original mix of rock and blues.

—Timothy Berg

For More Information

Christgau, Robert. "The Rolling Stones." In The Rolling Stone IllustratedHistory of Rock and Roll. Edited by Jim Miller. New York: Rolling Stone Press, 1980.

Hotchner, A. E. Blown Away: The Rolling Stones and the Death of the Sixties. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990.

The Rolling Stones.http://www.the-rolling-stones.com (accessed March 15, 2002).