The Rolling Stones

Stones: origin and early history Met in London in the early 1960s, where the rhythm and blues scene was very strong Early influences were blues, R&B, and early rock and roll These influences can be heard in some of their early singles, mostly “cover tunes.”

The Rolling Stones: Carol Can you identify the influences here? This is early-era Stones (64-65) Is this country influenced? Blues? What are the characteristics that make this song sound like the original influence? Who wrote this originally?  Chuck? Bo? Mud?

The Rolling Stones: I Just Wanna Make Love To You Another early-era Stones tune Who originally made this song famous? How does the Stones’ version differ? What makes it recognizable as a cover? What instruments do you hear?

The Rolling Stones: Love in Vain Released in 1969 How is this version similar to the original? Where have we heard this before? Country? Blues?

Rolling Stones: early personnel Mick Jagger, vocals Keith Richards, guitar Brian Jones, guitar, vocals Ian Stewart (later became their road manager) Dick Taylor, bass (later Bill Wyman) Mick Avory, drums (later Charlie Watts)

Stone’s “Imagemaker” – First manager Andrew Loog Oldham Andrew Loog Oldham becomes Stones manager Gets them signed to the Decca label, who had turned down the Beatles Encourages Stones to market themselves with an image opposite to the Beatles – scruffy, “bad boys” Attempts to force Jagger / Richards songwriting collaboration (actually locked them in a room!)

Early LPs 1964: The Rolling Stones (England’s Newest Hitmakers) The Rolling Stones #2 Twelve By Five (EP, recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago)

It’s All Over Now: 1964 This song went Top 10 in Britain & #26 in the States Is this song still in the ‘blues’ tradition, or are the Stones starting to move on?

LPs Out of Our Heads (1965) With this record the Stones original songwriting comes more to the forefront. The LP includes the huge hit “Satisfaction” Aftermath (1966) Between the Buttons (1967)

Satisfaction: 1965 This was the Stones’ first big #1 hit in America The guitar is a great example of Keith’s style, the lyrics a great example of Mick’s. This song was controversial (what do you think they meant by ‘satisfaction’? Listen for Keith’s trademark raunchy guitar tone.

19 th Nervous Breakdown: 1966 Listen to the lyrics on this one: what’s the song about? Listen to the interplay between Brian Jones & Keith Richards Can you hear the influence of any particular blues artists? Bo?

Let’s Spend the Night Together: 1967 Another controversial hit for the Stones Radio stations in the U.S. often chose to play the B-side of this single (due to the sexual innuendo of this song) Watch Mick’s reaction to singing sanitized lyrics on Ed Sullivan!

Ruby Tuesday: 1967 This was the B-side to “Let’s Spend the Night Together” This song was a #1 hit in the U.S. Listen to the instruments on this song: Is this “normal” rock ‘n’ roll instrumentation? Why is it different?

: infamous drug bust; Jagger and Richards eventually acquitted; Brian Jones also having drug problems LP “Flowers” Stones release “Their Satanic Majesties’ Request,” their psychedelic answer to Sgt Pepper; critics were not impressed

One Hundred Light Years From Home From the 1967 album “Their Satanic Majesties’ Request” The album was a response to the recently released Beatles’ concept album “Sgt. Pepper’s” Brian Jones was so stoned at the sessions for this, he was unplugged from his amplifiers to stop him from ruining songs

1968: back to the R&B roots LP “Beggar’s Banquet” released, to great success and acclaim. The Influence of R&B and country in this record is very strong. The cover the Stones wanted The cover the record company used

Jumpin’ Jack Flash: 1968 After experimenting (to mixed reviews) on their two previous albums, the Stones returned to playing great R&B-influenced rock ’n’ roll Have you heard more recent songs/artists that exhibit some Stones influence? STP: Big Bang Baby?

Street Fighting Man: 1968 This song was actually suppressed in the U.S. because of massive riots & street violence Brian Jones was arrested in 1968 (again) on drug charges The occult became THE topic in the Stones’ circle of hangers-on

Brian Jones: With increasing drug problems, Jones’ role with the Stones had diminished Jones drowned in his swimming pool July 1969, 2 days before the Stones’ large free concert in Hyde Park, London Questions still remain about his death (was he murdered?)

1969 LP: Let it Bleed Considered by many to be the definitive Stones LP Includes “Honky Tonk Woman,” “Gimme Shelter,” “You Can’t Always Get what you Want,” “Love in Vain” Huge US tour was arranged to launch LP

Honky Tonk Women: 1969 Released the day after Brian Jones’ funeral Keith was also started down the path of his own legendary drug problems What makes this song different from their previous hits? Heavy country influence? This song was later covered by blues great Albert King

Altamont The ’69 tour ended with a concert in Altamont, CA, intended to be another peaceful ”Woodstock” type event Hell’s Angels were hired to run security at the concert (!) Audience of 250,000 was violent and out of control; many people were hurt, one audience member was killed This event was documented in the film “Gimme Shelter.”

1971, Stones leave Decca and create their own label: “Rolling Stones Records” (Atlantic) 1971: LP “Sticky Fingers” 1972: Double LP “Exile on Main Street”

Brown Sugar: 1971 From the album “Sticky Fingers” released on the new Rolling Stones Records The Stones hired Marshall Chess (formerly of Chess Records) to run the label The following years would be tough on the Stones

Tumbling Dice: 1972 From the album “Exile on Main St.” This song features Jones’ replacement, Mick Taylor It was recorded in the basement of a French hotel

Other LPs from the 1970s and 1980s Goat’s Head Soup (1973) It’s Only Rock and Roll (1974) Black and Blue (1976) Some Girls (1978; critically acclaimed) Emotional Rescue (1980) Tattoo You (1981) Undercover (1983) Dirty Work (1986) Steel Wheels (1989)

Despite the long and colorful histories of the various members of the band, The Rolling Stones have continued to record and perform to the present time, and are one of the longest-lived and most successful rock bands in history. Many of you probably saw their live half-time show during the 2006 Super Bowl. In February 2006 they performed for 1.2 million people at a free concert in Brazil.