My Legends of Pop Music – Part Ten – The Rolling Stones
First though: RIP Charlie Watts. 24 August 2021
If I get this right, there will be many cover versions by future bands. I shall try and link live versions if they exist from the tellybox or a film, the sound quality may not be the best, but there is nothing like watching a real talent live.
So, in a sort of chronological order, my tenth legends are The Rolling Stones.
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Diverging from the pop rock of the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, heavier-driven sound that came to define hard rock. Their first stable line-up was vocalist Mick Jagger, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts, and bassist Bill Wyman. During their formative years Jones was the primary leader: he assembled the band, named it, and drove their sound and image. Jagger and Richards became the primary creative force behind the band, alienating Jones, who developed a drug addiction that interfered with his ability to contribute meaningfully.
Rooted in blues and early rack and roll, the Rolling Stones started out playing covers and were at the forefront of the British Invasion in 1964. They then found greater success with their own material as “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965), “Get Off of My Cloud” (1965) and “Paint It Black” (1966). became international No. 1 hits. Aftermath (1966) – their first entirely original album – is considered the most important of their formative records. In 1967, they had the double-sided hit “Ruby Tuesday”/”Let’s Spend the Night Together” and experimented with psychedelic rock on Their Satanic Majesties Request. They went back to their roots with such hits as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (1968) and “Honky Tonk Women” (1969), and albums such as Beggars Banquet (1968), featuring “Sympathy for the Devil”, and Let It Bleed (1969), featuring “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Gimme Shelter”. Let It Bleed was the first of five consecutive No. 1 albums in the UK.
Jones left the band shortly before his death in 1969, having been replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor. That year they were first introduced on stage as ‘The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World’. Sticky Fingers (1971), which yielded “Brown Sugar” and included the first usage of their tongue and lips logo, was their first of eight consecutive No. 1 studio albums in the US. Exile on Main St. (1972), featuring “Tumbling Dice”, and Goats Head Soup (1973), yielding the hit ballad “Angie”, were also best sellers. Taylor was replaced by Ronnie Wood in 1974. The band continued to release successful albums including their two largest sellers: Some Girls (1978), featuring “Miss You”; and Tattoo You (1981), featuring “Start Me Up”. Steel Wheels (1989), which included “Mixed Emotions”, was widely considered a comeback album and was followed by Voodoo Lounge (1994), a worldwide number one album, which included the popular “Love Is Strong”. Both releases were promoted by large stadium and arena tours as the Stones continued to be a huge concert attraction; by 2007 they had four of the top five highest-grossing concert tours of all time. From Wyman’s departure in 1993 to Watts’ death in 2021, the band continued as a four-piece core, with Darryl Jones playing bass on tour and on most studio recordings. Their latest album, Blue & Lonesome (2016), became their twelfth UK number-one album.
The Rolling Stones’ estimated record sales of 200 million makes them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
With me being a child of the sixties, in general, you were either a Beatles fan or a Rolling Stones fan. I was young, I liked them both and still do. The days of Mods and Rockers! Happy days!
Over the years they have produced some awesome tunes, my favourite one being the featured track. The featured track is their 1964 performance on the TAMI (Teenage Awards Music International) with “It’s all over now”
A full list of his songs is here: Discography – The Rolling Stones
I wanna be your man – live on the Arthur Haynes Show (Colourised) 1964
Not Fade Away – (TV 1964)
You Better Move On – (Live 1964), I had forgotten about this ballad. It is rather good and well worth a listen.
Time Is On My Side – Released in 1964, but a superb live performance here from 1981 From The Vault Hampton Coliseum Live.
The Last Time – Live at the NME Poll Winners Party 1965 – Colourised
(I can’t get no) Satisfaction – Live 1965 (Reelin’ In The Years Archives)
Get Off of My Cloud (Live in 2006), song is from 1965.
Paint it Black – Live in 1966
Ruby Tuesday – Live in TV Show – 1967
Jumpin’ Jack Flash – (VH1 TV) HD 1968
Honky Tonk Women – Live TV performance 1969. Probably my most favourite of all their songs.
Brown Sugar – (Top of the Pops 1971) – Opening rift, you just know the tune. The pink suit is never to be forgotten either.
Tumbling Dice – Live in Montreux (1972)
Angie – The song is from 1973, but this is a live performance from 2016 in Mexico City. So many songs to pick from, maybe this is my favourite.
Miss You – Live in 1997, song is from 1978
There are so many, many, great songs from this band. Their lives concerts are truly awesome. Here they are from 2020 – The Rolling Stones Live In Las Vegas Full Concert 2020 HD – 1 hour performance.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy!
Links to previous Legend articles:
1-Buddy Holly | 2-Elvis Presley | 3-Everly brothers | 4-Cliff Richard | 5-Joe Brown |
6-Gerry and the Pacemakers | 7-Roy Orbison | 8-The Seekers | 9-The Hollies | 10-The Rolling Stones |
Featured Image: “File:The Rolling Stones Summerfest in Milwaukee – 2015.jpg” by Jim Pietryga is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
© Phil the ex test manager 2021