Sixty Years Of The Rolling Stones: Legendary Band's Storied Journey

The Rolling Stones, an iconic British rock band, have been taking the world by storm for sixty years. Formed in London in 1962, the group has played an instrumental role in shaping the music industry and influencing countless artists.

The Early Days: Formation and Rise to Fame

The Rolling Stones was founded by guitarist Brian Jones, pianist Ian Stewart, and vocalist Mick Jagger, who were later joined by guitarist Keith Richards and drummer Charlie Watts. Driven by their passion for blues and rock-n-roll, the band began performing in various small venues around London.

Their breakthrough came in 1963 with the release of their debut single "Come On," which earned them recognition on the UK charts. Shortly after, the band's first album, titled "The Rolling Stones," hit the shelves, garnering both critical acclaim and commercial success.

The Stone Age: Sixty Years of The Rolling Stones

by Lesley-Ann Jones (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13875 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	368 pages

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As their fame gained momentum, The Rolling Stones embarked on international tours, captivating audiences with their energetic performances and rebellious charm. Hits such as "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" and "Paint It Black" became anthems for a generation, elevating the band's popularity to new heights.

The Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle

As the band's success soared, The Rolling Stones garnered attention not only for their music but also for their notorious rock 'n' roll lifestyle. They became known for their rebellious behavior, scandalous relationships, and indulgence in drugs and alcohol.

This lifestyle, although controversial, only fueled their popularity and solidified their image as rock legends. The Rolling Stones' ability to push boundaries and defy societal norms set them apart from other bands of the era.

Endurance and Evolution

Despite facing numerous challenges, including arrests, public scrutiny, and internal conflicts, The Rolling Stones continued their musical journey over the decades. Their discography expanded, with albums like "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main St." representing pivotal moments in their career.

The band's ability to adapt to changing music trends while preserving their unique sound is testament to their enduring influence. From blues-inspired rock to experimenting with disco, country, and even reggae elements, The Rolling Stones have consistently defied expectations and remained relevant to successive generations of music lovers.

Epic Live Performances

Renowned for their electrifying live shows, The Rolling Stones have set a benchmark for concert performances. The band's ability to captivate audiences with their raw energy and stage presence is a testament to their immense talent.

From iconic moments such as their free concert in Hyde Park in 1969, to memorable tours like "A Bigger Bang" in 2005-2007, The Rolling Stones have continuously showcased their mastery over live performances, leaving fans in awe and clamoring for more.

A Lasting Legacy

As The Rolling Stones celebrate their 60th anniversary, their impact on the music industry cannot be overstated. With over 250 million records sold worldwide, they are one of the best-selling bands in history.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, the band's influence extends far beyond their discography. Their unique blend of blues, rock, and charisma has inspired countless artists and continues to shape the landscape of rock music.

With their unmistakable logo, known as the iconic "tongue and lips," The Rolling Stones' branding is instantly recognizable and synonymous with rock 'n' roll.

While each band member has had their fair share of solo projects and endeavors, it is the collective power and chemistry of The Rolling Stones that has made them a rock institution. They have shown the world what it means to stay true to oneself, push boundaries, and maintain relevance over six decades.

Sixty years since their formation, The Rolling Stones continue to make music, tour the world, and leave an indelible mark on the music industry. Their raw talent, infectious energy, and rebellious spirit have cemented their place as one of the greatest and most enduring rock bands of all time. Through their journey, The Rolling Stones have proven that rock 'n' roll is not just a genre, but a way of life.

The Stone Age: Sixty Years of The Rolling Stones

by Lesley-Ann Jones (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13875 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	368 pages

FREE

An acclaimed rock and roll journalist evokes the legacy of The Rolling Stones—iconic, granitic, commercially unstoppable as a collective; and fascinating, contradictory, and occasionally disturbing as individuals.

As Lesley-Ann Jones writes, the Rolling Stones are "still roaming the globe like rusty tanks without a war to go to. Jumping, jacking, flashing, posturing, these septuagenarian caricatures with faces that might have been microwaved but coming on like eternal thirty-year-olds.”

On 12th July 1962, the Rollin’ Stones performed their first-ever gig at London’s Marquee jazz club. Down the line, a ‘g’ was added, a spark was lit and their destiny was sealed. No going back.
 
These five white British kids set out to play the music of black America. They honed a style that bled bluesy undertones into dark insinuations of women, sex, and drugs. Denounced as ‘corruptors of youth’ and ‘messengers of the devil,’ they created some of the most thrilling music ever recorded.
 
Now their sound and attitude seem louder and more influential than ever. Elvis is dead and the Beatles are over, but Jagger and Richards bestride the world. The Stones may be gathering moss, but on they roll.
 
Yet how did the ultimate anti-establishment misfits become the global brand we know today? Who were the casualties, and what are the forgotten legacies? Can the artist ever be truly divisible from the art? 
 
Lesley-Ann Jones’s new history tracks this contradictory, disturbing, granitic and unstoppable band through hope, glory and exile, into the juggernaut years and beyond into rock’s ongoing reckoning . . . where the Stones seem more at odds than ever with the values and heritage against which they have always rebelled. Good, bad, and often ugly, here are the Rolling Stones as never seen before.