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The 1960s British Invasion witnessed the emergence of legendary rock & roll band The Rolling Stones. With their roots in blues based rock, the Stones gradually incorporated pop into their music. As one of the longest running most successful bands, they have sold 240 million albums worldwide and continue to tour and record.

The formation of the band lies in the mutual friend of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Although the two attended the same primary school, they had drifted apart only to reunite ten years later through their friend Dick Taylor. Richards attended Continued...

Sidcup Art School with Taylor while Jagger who was studying at the London School of Economics played in the band Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys with him. Richards eventually joined the band. They later became known as Blues Incorporated until Brian Jones became a member thus changing their name permanently to The Rolling Stones, named after the title of a Muddy Waters song. The original line-up included Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica, vocals) Ian Stewart (piano), Dick Taylor (bass) who was replaced by Bill Wyman, and drummer Mick Avory who was replaced by Tony Chapman and later Charlie Watts.

The band, whose first show was held at the Marquee Club in London, eventually became a regular act at The Crawdaddy Club in Richmond. Covering various R&B classics, the group was signed to Decca Records and released their debut single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s song “Come On”. A version of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s “I Wanna Be Your Man” followed peaking in the Top 15 in the UK. In 1964, their cover of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” became number three in the UK and placed in the US Top 50. Later that year they issued their self-titled debut album, which was released in the US a month later entitled England’s Newest Hit Makers. The album placed as number one in the UK for twelve weeks, and made the Top 20 in the US at number eleven.

Out of Our Heads was released in June 1965. The US version of the album contained the single “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” which rocketed to number one. The British version did not feature the hit yet it was later released as a single becoming a fourth number one for the Stones in the UK. The song initiated their streak of Top Ten singles such as “Get off My Cloud”, “19th Nervous Breakdown”, “As Tears Go By”, “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby (Standing in the Shadows)?”, and “Paint in Black”. Aftermath, in 1966 was the first album containing all original compositions by Jagger and Richards. The US album topped at number two on the charts and was certified platinum. The more pop-influenced Between the Buttons was released a year later spawning major hits “Let’s Spend the Night Together” and “Ruby Tuesday”. The album reached number three in the UK and number two in the US.

In 1967, Brian Jones was arrested for possession of cocaine, cannabis, and methamphetamine. He was released after paying a large fine yet was recommended to seek major help. A few months later Jagger and Richards were arrested for drug charges as well and also released on bail. However, Jones’ drug addiction seemed to be having a major affect on his productivity as he was becoming mentally unstable. During the recording of Beggar’s Banquet, Jones was absent lacking significant contribution to the album. He was soon afterward forced out of the band and replaced by Mick Taylor. A month following his departure, Jones was found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool. The cause of his death remains unknown.

Let It Bleed was issued in 1969 featuring the hits “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” reaching the number one spot in the UK and number three on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums. Following the release, the Stones immediately embarked on a US tour to promote the album. One of the tour performances took place at the infamous Altamont Music Festival. The Stones’ appearance was to be a surprise which Jagger eventually blew by announcing their performance at a press conference. The event proved to be one of the most violent in music history with four injured and one deceased. The Hells Angels chapter from Oakland, California was hired as security for the show for rumored $500 worth of beer. Meredith Hunter, a young black man, was killed during The Rolling Stones performance when he was stabbed 18 times by a Hells Angel during “Under My Thumb”.

Their last album with Decca Records was the live Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out in 1970 as the band formed Rolling Stones Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic. Sticky Fingers, a year later, was their debut off of their own label. It contained major hits “Brown Sugar” and “Wild Horses”. Following the release, the band members moved to France where they shared a home and recorded the 1972 double album Exile on Main St., which over the years has been deemed one of their greatest efforts. Their increasing fame was well received by Jagger who enjoyed socializing, however Richards’s drug dependency was increasing as their reputation as a band grew. Even though they continued to release commercially successful albums such as Goats Head Soup in 1973 and It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll in 1974, it was evident that The Rolling Stones’ material was less praiseworthy. Taylor suddenly left the band in 1974 and was replaced by his good friend Ron Wood (formerly from the Faces and Rod Stewart). In 1976, they issued Black ‘n’ Blue which was commended commercially but not critically. A year later Richards and his common-law wife, Anita Pallenberg, were arrested for heroin possession forcing Richards to clean up his act.

After a few years releasing moderately impressive material such as Some Girls and Emotional Rescue, the Stones made a major comeback with Tattoo You in 1981. The album experienced mass success and received great critical approval spawning hits “Start Me Up” and “Waiting on a Friend”. The album spent nine weeks at number one and was certified 4x platinum. Following the release of Tattoo You, the band’s musical efforts began to suffer as Jagger and Richards’ disagreements deepened. Both focused on solo careers for a few years eventually reuniting in 1988 to record Steel Wheels. The album proved to be Bill Wyman’s final with the Stones as he announced his departure in 1993. He was eventually replaced by Daryl Jones, the former bass player for Miles Davis and Sting. The long awaited Voodoo Lounge, their debut with Virgin Records, was released in 1994 faring extremely well as praised by both fans and critics. It went double platinum and earned a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. Bridges to Babylon followed in 1997 as the group embarked on a European and North American tour to promote the album.

Several live albums and greatest hits compilations were released subsequently, however it was not until seven years after Bridges to Babylon that the band would issue brand new material on a full length album. A Bigger Bang was received with a warm welcome of strong reviews in September 2005. The Bigger Bang Tour began in August including numerous dates across the US, Canada, South America, Asia, and Europe.