It’s hard to believe The Rolling Stones have been such a major part of our lives for as long as they have; and the quartet from London is still at it. Like the Beatles, Kinks and The Who, The Stones came to us in that infamous British invasion of 1964 and we still haven’t gotten off that cloud!
When it comes to bands, some are larger than life and the Stones are one of those bands. The stories are true: Jagger and Richards are childhood friends. They met on a train platform. Before they were The Rolling Stones, they were known as The Blues Boys. The current name was taken from the title of the Muddy Waters song “Rollin’ Stone.” In their formative years, Jagger and Richards listened not only to Muddy but Chuck Berry, Little Richards, Howlin’ Wolf and Bo Didley. The then-young Brits loved those artists so much, you can still hear their influence in the Rolling Stones’ music.
Most of us have our favorite Stones album or song. There are the classic records Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers (which debuted their iconic logo), Some Girls and my personal favorite, Tattoo You. Then there’s the unreal list of songs we love: “Beast of Burden,” “Honky Tonk Woman,” “Shattered,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” “Under My Thumb,” “Start Me Up,” “Get Off of My Cloud,” “Brown Sugar,” “Emotional Rescue,” “Paint It Black,” “Hang Fire,” “Waiting on a Friend,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Too Much Blood,” “Miss You,” “She’s So Cold,” “Just My Imagination,” “Time Is On My Side” … the list goes on and on.
The Stones are one of those once-in-a-lifetime bands that do things their way … and that’s just the way we like them. As Richards once said, “If you’re going to kick authority in the teeth, you might as well use two feet!” They have an infectious and wicked sense of humor, and we love them even more because of it.
That said, after more than a half century, the band has experienced everything life can throw at them. There are the significant squabbles, well-documented addiction issues, personal breakups, heartaches and health issues. Mix this with those everyday life issues and sprinkle it with unreal success and that’s life as a Rolling Stone.
Aside from the music, it’s the band members’ ability to deal with everyday issues that draws us closer. The fact that they’re deeply rooted in blues and good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll has enabled their music to pierce our souls.
Since the band formed in 1962, they’ve survived life as rock stars. Some issues were admittedly self-inflicted. Despite these challenges, the band has done it all. Their music has been featured in movies, they’ve had countless No. 1’s on the charts, Grammys, and they’ve put out 30 studio albums, 23 live albums and 120 singles, selling more than 250 million records worldwide.
Their greatest honor came in 1989 when they were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Ranked as one of the best commercially successful bands ever, their top single remains their first No. 1 hit in the U.S.: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
About their music, Jagger once said, “We were very pop-orientated. We didn’t sit around listening to Muddy Waters; we listened to everything. In some ways it’s easy to write to order. … Keith and I got into the groove of writing those kinds of tunes; they were done in 10 minutes. I think we thought it was a bit of a laugh.” He added: “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing!”
Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, there’s no better way to pay homage to the Stones than covering their music. Bands and artists that’ve covered them include Bowie, Johnny Cash, Devo, Ministry, Motorhead and Rage Against the Machine. Not too shaby!
Recently, Jagger had a health scare and heart surgery. He’s worked hard to overcome that and was cleared to go back on the road. With the energy of a man more than half his age, Jagger is back in front of the band, and they sound just as tight and electrifying as ever. With Jagger on mic, Richards entertains us on guitar and vocals, Ronnie Wood is on rhythm or lead guitar and bass while Charlie Watts is still killing the skins.
Since this is the Stones, we had to ask the question: What kind of impact have they had on Southern California? For that, we turned to 95.5. FM KLOS, which is celebrating its 50th year of broadcasting. Program Director Keith Cunningham tells us he has long admired the Stones’ accomplishments, longevity and ability to remain relevant in an ever-changing music world.
Cunningham went on to say the band’s impact goes beyond individual fans; they’ve touched entire families. Parents, kids and grandparents love this band. He explained that music is like a time machine, it can transport us to the best, worst and most surreal moments in our lives. For many, The Stones have become the soundtrack to their lives.
We also discussed with Cunningham the difficulty in measuring the impact of legendary bands. Instead of identifying who’s at the top of the totem pole, we discussed a more soulful approach:
(1) We recognized that there are a ton of bands that’ve made history.
(2) It’s bands like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin who are historic, no measurement required.
For Cunningham, The Stones are the latter of the two. Look for upcoming special programming from KLOS to celebrate the Stones return to SoCal.
There are few bands that have multi-generational appeal. It’s a rare thing when a parent can sing to their child “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and they sing it together! If you want to see living history, check out The Rolling Stones as they roll into town and play The Rose Bowl in Pasadena Aug. 22 on their “No Filter Tour.” If you haven’t seen them before, it’ll definitely be the experience of a lifetime.
I can’t beleive u forgot Beggars Banquet. Sympathy, Parachute, Fighting Man, Salt of the Earth. The Best Rolling Stones Album Ever.
I totally agree…..Prodigal Son, Stray Cat Blues, Dear Doctor, Jigsaw Puzzle
My first Rolling Stones Concert at the Forum 1975. I was Hooked. I will be at Pasadena Aug 22, 2019.
I will see them gor the 35th time on my b’day 8-22. Since 1972…u
My first too! 8 Sones concerts later, including Altamont they never get old. Sorry to miss this one!
Saw them in Seattle at CenturyLink, great show!
I was there, too! I think I liked them better there than at the Rose Bowl. Not because they were better, but because the audience was – having not had the Stones in town since the early 2000s.
Saw them in Jacksonville, Florida in July. Life changing…………..
You forgot Brian Jones – the founder of The Rolling Stones. Mick learned harmonica from Brian. Keith learned open g tuning from Brian.
Brian was the first in England to play slide guitar.
1962-69 the Brian years: Little Red Rooster, The Last Time,Paint it Black, Under My Thumb, Ruby Tuesday, No Expectations, etc.
Kind of empty preview … no meat on the bones here…
http://www.vh1.com/news/27857/top-50-rolling-stones-satisfaction-covers/
Links to 50 versions of Satisfaction…You’ve omitted some of the most significant covers…among them Otis Redding’s version which the stones themselves considered one of the best.
Love the Stones saw at William Bryce stadium Bought all there vests jacket anniversary tee shirts
Best concert in Columbia South Carolina love the dragon That shot flames love jump jack flash best song ever written
John Russell
Rev Who lee oh
“….. Ron Wood on rhythm guitar and lead guitar and bass ……”
Ah, and what has Mr. Daryll Jones dome for the last 25 years????
Yes! After a quarter century he deserves to be an official member of the band damn it!
Saw them in Denver in 1965, many times over the decades and again last week. With my grown sons. This tour was the Best Show Ever. At my age nothing is as good emotionally as the first time … except for The Stones.
I’m pretty sure I’d sell my soul to that sympathy guy for a ticket to the Rose Bowl Show!!
Not badly written, obviously the writer doesn’t know much about the band. Also The Rolling Stones and Beatles have always historically been the heads & tails, good & evil of rock music, since when is Led Zeppelin up there with those 2 bands?
I have seen these tours 1972, 1975, 1978, 1981, 1989, 2003, 2007 and 2019. It is an event. Not to be missed. Met people from all over the world at New Orleans show. I’ve loaded up on the merch this final tour. Even the very limited tees they only have at high end stores in NYC, LA and Miami. And Honk box set. Don’t miss this final chance. My only dissappoint is the set list is too hit oriented. Wanted more Exile and and rareties. They did allow phone recording. Mick is in top voice. The band is having so much fun. Glad to see many support bands are the new generation of blues, country and southern rock.
Thanks for Crediting my photo!!! See you at the Rose Bowl!!!
1st time ever was the best time 1972 Exile Tour at the Forum in Los Angeles! Mick Taylor on lead ax! No offense to Woody at all but for me the Stones put out their best music during the Mick Taylor era! Was lucky enough to also attend the 1973 benefit for the Nicaragua Earthquake Victims! Since then I have seen them at least 10 more times! Nobody better! Woody was the perfect replacement for Mick Taylor! 44 years later still smokin’!
Anyone out there with a few extra buck that could fly me out to Pasadena or Miami im diabetic and can no longer work. Unfortunately ive gone thru savings and can’t get pension till 63 4 more years. My first Stones show was in Boston 75 they got arrested geting of plane in R. I. The Garden was nuts and the mayor had to ask R. I.’s mayor to let them out before there was ariot at the Garden they came on about 12 a Mic sitting on edge of stage with a cow bell you got it Honky Tonk Woman
My first time was 1965 .I had already worn out their first 2 albums . Last time was July 19. even if you have go i to debt , find a way too experience “ No Filter.”
They are,and always will be, The Rolling MFing Stones in my book
imitated but never duplicated
Their first 3 albums are rock and roll classics
Tattoo you is your favorite Stones LP? What about Exile on Main Street, which I feel is their best effort and one of the best LP ever. Tattoo you….really?
I’ve seen every tour since 1975, I will see Mick & the boys in Glendale, Az. On the 26 of August. Better seating than the Rose Bowl, for me worth the commute and extra expenses. This could be the last I don’t know ?
See you Thursday at the Rose Bowl. Cannot wait.
Good article but you , the writer, probably don’t really know The Rolling Stones.
This is the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World!
Still rocking us for 53 years .
Can not wait until Thursday night to see them again in Pasadena!
Heart surgery stop them? Heck no as Keith Richards once said
“ if you don’t rock you can’t roll!”
Love the Stones❤️
Just saw them in Santa Clara and will be seeing them again in Pasadena , true rockers .Santa Clara was not a concert or a show but a performance where they were out there having fun ,and it show in their music and the smiles on their faces.
Rose Bowl on August 22, 2019 will be my first Rolling Stones concert. I cannot wait! I d been a fan and Start Me Up when I was in junior high school got me going and then my high school sweetheart and husband was a huge fan which continued my live for the Stones. While my favorites include the well known songs like Honky Tonk Woman, Miss You, Sympathy for the Devil, and more, … my all time favorite songs to hear would be Wild Horses, Winter, and Shattered…. there are so many more but it would be the most special time if they played Wild Horses or Shattered. Their setlist hasn’t been including these, but I can still hope! This I believe will truly be an experience of a lifetime!
Saw then in Houston on July 27 at NRG stadium. Absolutely packed with 70.000+! They place was nuts! They were and still are the worlds best rick band!
He, what about Blue and Lonesome? Best ever Stones record in the last 30 years!