The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are probably the most influential and important band in the history of true rock n' roll. They were formed in 1962 by Brian Jones and named by him after a Muddy Waters song. The original members were Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richard (lead guitar), Brian Jones (rithym guitar), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ian Stewart (keyboards). They were a band heavily influenced by African-American blues and early rock n'roll. They got their first recording contract in 1963. By that time Ian Stewart had left the band and they were now five. They came to America as part of the Brittish Invasion in 1964 and played on the "Ed Sullivan Show", and shocked everybody with their long hair, stage antics (Mick acted like a horny black man on stage, and they also unlike most bands of the time played while smoking and drinking), and clothes(they were pretty much the only band that didn't wear suits). In 1965 they released " Out of our Heads" which includes their classic "(I Can't Get No)Satisfaction". They quickly became icons of their generation, representing the changing times. They influenced most bands and the fashion of the psychedelic 60's and Swinging London era. By the late 60's they were writing songs such as "Paint it Black","Ruby Tuesday", "Jumping Jack Flash", and "Sympathy for the Devil" that represented the youth counter-culture and the ideals of the time. unfortunately their free concert at Altamont in 1969 where the Hells Angels killed a black man kind of ended the hippy era. Another tragic thing that happend in 1969 was the death of rythim guitarist and founder Brian Jones. He was replaced by Mick Taylor who played with John Mayall's Bluess Breakers. This site pays homage to the REAL Rolling Stones. The Stones of the 60's with Brian Jones and the Mick Taylor, who changed both rock n' roll and the world in a time of social and political upheaval, when there was no MTV, no disco, and the flower children were trying to use the power of art and rock n' roll to change the world. These are the Rolling Stones that stared it all and influenced countless of other bands for generations to come.