The Rolling Stones are one of the most important bands in the history of rock. Following the conquering of the United States as part of the British invasion in the 1960s, the success of The Rolling Stones has increased exponentially over the course of an astonishing 50-year career.
The start of The Rolling Stones all began when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards established a connection while in primary school.
Thank the rock gods for the ‘coincidental’ meeting of those two; crazy to think that a band like The Rolling Stones would have never even existed without those two crossing paths when they were kids.
Ten years later Jagger began playing in Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys with Dick Taylor. Keith Richards was friends with both Jagger and Taylor which eventually drew him into their band.
Inspired by old-school blues and American R&B, the unique sound of The Rolling Stones had begun.
Soon they were joined by Brian Jones who had been kicked out of school, and Ian Stewart who answered a want ad poster (talk about hitting the lottery).
The band used an old Muddy Waters song to name themselves The Rolling Stones.
After going through several drummer changes, Charlie Watts finally became the mainstay took in 1963, finally completing The Rolling Stones as a band.
In 1962, The Rolling Stones played their first show at the Marquee.
In 1963, they released their first single Chuck Berry’s, “Come On.”
Following those two marks in the history books of The Rolling Stones, the rest of this biography could go on for twenty pages.
The bands that remain relevant for more than a few years, or more than a few songs are rare.
A band like The Stones, that has been relevant for fifty years is well, the reason why the name The Rolling Stones demands respect. The Stones have earned the respect not only in the world of rock, but in the world of music as a whole because their music has been vastly influential.
This is a group that had to compete with The Beatles, made it through the sixties, the deaths of band members, massive internal conflict, and the egos that must remain in check for the endurance The Rolling Stones have exemplified.
It is no secret that The Rolling Stones have reached a point in their careers where the live shows, or maybe even the studio have ended, but their legacy will last forever.
Keith Richards is a true marvel of modern science. I am in awe of this man. The Rolling Stones must have some type of magic potion, holy grail, or heroin that offers life everlasting because by all accounts, even he would admit that it is surprising that he is still jamming it out like he is today, while some health nut who ran 5 miles a day died at 26.
Much like Richards, The Stones will never die because as long as music can be played somebody will playing “Can’t Get No Satisfaction” with the volume all the way up and singing every no, no, no; and hey, hey, hey. That’s what I say.
The Rolling Stones are founding fathers of rock ‘n roll.
Chris McDonald
