The Rolling Stones
Follow Your Favorite Band Today!
Be the first one to follow The Rolling Stones!
Top The Rolling Stones Community Posts
Loading posts...
Sponsor content
Band Timeline
1962
Formation of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones were formed in London in 1962. The founding members were vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, bassist Bill Wyman, and drummer Charlie Watts. This initial lineup marked the beginning of what would become one of the most influential and enduring rock bands in history. Early on, Brian Jones was the primary leader of the band, which initially played blues and early rock and roll covers.
1963
Andrew Loog Oldham Management and Rise as Songwriters
In 1963, Andrew Loog Oldham became the manager of The Rolling Stones. His influence was pivotal in encouraging the band to start writing their own songs rather than relying solely on covers. This shift led to the iconic songwriting partnership between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, which would become the driving creative force behind the band's success. This period marked the band's transition toward creating original music that defined their unique sound.
1964-1965
British Invasion and Breakthrough Hits
The Rolling Stones emerged as key figures in the British Invasion of the United States in the mid-1960s. They gained recognition and a devoted youth following for their gritty, rhythmically driven sound. Their original compositions, such as "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Get Off of My Cloud" released in 1965, became international hits. These songs helped establish the band as one of the leading rock groups of the era, symbolizing youthful rebellion and counterculture movements worldwide.
1966
Release of 'Aftermath' - First Album of All Original Material
In 1966, The Rolling Stones released 'Aftermath,' their first album composed entirely of original songs. This album is deemed one of their most important early works, illustrating their evolution from a cover band to significant songwriters and musicians in rock music. Tracks from this album captured diverse sounds, expanding their blues roots and integrating other musical influences, cementing their reputation as a creative and innovative band in rock history.
1967
Double-Sided Hit and Psychedelic Experimentation
The band achieved a double-sided hit with the songs "Ruby Tuesday" and "Let's Spend the Night Together" in 1967. During this period, The Rolling Stones also explored psychedelic rock, exemplified by the album 'Their Satanic Majesties Request.' Although this departure from their blues-based rock was met with mixed reviews, it showcased their willingness to experiment and evolve musically during an era when psychedelic sounds were prominent in rock culture.
1968-1969
Return to Rhythm and Blues with Major Hits and Albums
By the late 1960s, The Rolling Stones returned to their rhythm and blues roots with landmark singles like "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1968) and "Honky Tonk Women" (1969). Albums such as 'Beggars Banquet' (1968), featuring "Sympathy for the Devil," and 'Let It Bleed' (1969), with tracks like "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "Gimme Shelter," are considered classics. This period reinforced the band's stature as masters of blues-infused rock and produced enduring songs that resonated socially and culturally.
1969
Brian Jones Departure and Death, Mick Taylor Joins
In 1969, Brian Jones left The Rolling Stones shortly before his untimely death. His departure marked the end of an era for the band. Mick Taylor was recruited as his replacement on guitar. This year also saw the band being introduced famously on stage as "the greatest rock and roll band in the world." This transition was crucial as it heralded new sounds and dynamics that would define the band's 1970s period.
1971
Release of 'Sticky Fingers' and Iconic Tongue Logo
The 1971 release of 'Sticky Fingers' was a monumental moment in The Rolling Stones' career. The album produced hits like "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses" and was the first of eight consecutive number-one studio albums in the United States. This album also introduced the iconic tongue and lips logo, which became a symbol synonymous with the band. 'Sticky Fingers' marked both commercial success and artistic maturity.
1972-1973
Albums 'Exile on Main St.' and 'Goats Head Soup'
Following 'Sticky Fingers,' the band released 'Exile on Main St.' in 1972 and 'Goats Head Soup' in 1973. These albums continued to produce hits such as "Tumbling Dice," "Happy," and "Angie," showcasing the band’s musical versatility and depth. Both albums contributed to maintaining the band’s relevance and commercial success during the early 1970s, reinforcing their status as rock legends.
1974-1978
Lineup Change and Continued Success with 'Some Girls'
At the end of 1974, Mick Taylor left the band and was replaced by Ronnie Wood, which stabilized the group's lineup. The band continued their success by releasing the album 'Some Girls' in 1978, which included popular tracks like "Miss You" and "Beast of Burden." This period marked their adaptation to changing musical trends while retaining their distinctive style, ensuring ongoing popularity in the rock scene.
1981
Release of 'Tattoo You' and Major Hits
In 1981, The Rolling Stones released 'Tattoo You,' an album that featured enduring hits such as "Start Me Up." The record was well-received and displayed the band's ability to craft rock anthems that endured across decades. 'Tattoo You' represented a high point in their 1980s output, further solidifying their legacy as one of rock's most iconic and long-lasting acts.
1989-1994
Comeback with 'Steel Wheels' and 'Voodoo Lounge'
The band staged a widely acknowledged comeback with the 1989 album 'Steel Wheels,' which rejuvenated their sound and popularity. In 1994, they followed up with 'Voodoo Lounge,' maintaining momentum with large stadium and arena tours. These albums helped the Stones sustain their stature as a dominant live act. Throughout this period, they broke records for high-grossing tours, underlining their enduring appeal and status as concert legends.
1993-2021
Lineup Changes and Continuing Legacy
After Bill Wyman's departure in 1993, The Rolling Stones continued as a four-piece core group, with Darryl Jones filling in as the regular bassist for live performances. Following the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, the core of the band was reduced further, and Steve Jordan became their regular drummer. Despite these changes, the band remains active, retaining their immense influence and status in rock music.
2023
Release of 'Hackney Diamonds' - First Original Album in 18 Years
In October 2023, The Rolling Stones released 'Hackney Diamonds,' their first album of original material in 18 years. The album marked a significant event in their long career, debuting as their fourteenth UK number-one album. This release demonstrated the band’s ability to produce relevant and compelling music even after six decades of performing, reinforcing their lasting impact on the music industry.
Albums
The Rolling Stones No. 2
12 tracks
1964
The Rolling Stones
12 tracks
1964
12 × 5
12 tracks
1964
The Rolling Stones, Now!
12 tracks
1965
Out of Our Heads
12 tracks
1965
December’s Children (and Everybody’s)
12 tracks
1965
Aftermath
14 tracks
1966
Between the Buttons
12 tracks
1967
Their Satanic Majesties Request
10 tracks
1967
Beggars Banquet
10 tracks
1968
Let It Bleed
9 tracks
1969
Sticky Fingers
20 tracks
1971
Exile on Main St.
18 tracks
1972
Goats Head Soup
10 tracks
1973
It’s Only Rock ’n Roll
10 tracks
1974
Black and Blue
8 tracks
1976
Some Girls
10 tracks
1978
Emotional Rescue
10 tracks
1980
Tattoo You
11 tracks
1981
Undercover
10 tracks
1983
Dirty Work
11 tracks
1986
Steel Wheels
12 tracks
1989
Voodoo Lounge
15 tracks
1994
Bridges to Babylon
13 tracks
1997
A Bigger Bang
16 tracks
2005
Sponsor content
Members
Current
Name
Begin
Occupation
Keith Richards
1962
Background vocals
Bass guitar
Electric guitar
Keyboard
Lead vocals
Acoustic guitar
Ronnie Wood
1975
Acoustic guitar
Background vocals
Bass guitar
Electric guitar
Lap steel guitar
Membranophone
Pedal steel guitar
Saxophone
Slide guitar
Mick Jagger
1962
Acoustic guitar
Background vocals
Bass guitar
Electric guitar
Harmonica
Keyboard
Lead vocals
Percussion
History
Name
Begin
End
Occupation
Charlie Watts
1963
2021
Percussion
Drums (drum set)
Dick Taylor
1962
1962
Bass guitar
Brian Jones
1962
1969
Acoustic guitar
Accordion
Sitar
Saxophone
Recorder
Percussion
Marimba
Mandolin
Keyboard
Harmonica
Hammered dulcimer
Electric guitar
Slide guitar
Cello
Bass guitar
Background vocals
Autoharp
Bill Wyman
1962
1993
Marimba
Keyboard
Percussion
Bass guitar
Background vocals
Mick Taylor
1969
1974
Slide guitar
Acoustic guitar
Background vocals
Bass guitar
Electric guitar
Mick Avory
1962
1962
Drums (drum set)
Tony Chapman
1962
1963
Drums (drum set)
Ian Stewart
1962
1985
Keyboard
Percussion
Story of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones: A Rock 'n' Roll Legacy
The Rolling Stones, hailing from the vibrant streets of London, burst onto the music scene in 1962. They've been rockin' for seven decades, cementing their status as one of the most influential and enduring bands in history.
The Stones were pioneers, pushing the boundaries of rock with their raw, blues-infused sound, paving the way for the hard rock genre. Their classic lineup – Mick Jagger on vocals, Keith Richards on guitar, Brian Jones on various instruments, Bill Wyman on bass, and Charlie Watts on drums – became the foundation of their success. Initially led by Jones, the band found their creative spark with the arrival of manager Andrew Loog Oldham in 1963. Oldham encouraged them to write their own material, and the Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership soon became the heartbeat of the band.
Born out of the blues and early rock 'n' roll, the Rolling Stones started as covers artists, riding the wave of the 1964 British Invasion. But they quickly found their own voice, capturing the spirit of the youth counterculture with iconic hits like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Get Off of My Cloud" and "Paint It Black." Their groundbreaking album Aftermath (1966), filled with original songs, cemented their place as musical revolutionaries. It's considered a cornerstone of their early career, showcasing the band's raw power and artistic evolution.
Sponsor content
Learn more about The Rolling Stones
