TONES
of rock
C o n t e n t s
50 years FOREWORD
PAGE
4
PREFACE
PAGE
8
INTRODUCTION
PAGE
10
PAGE
46
THE SEVENTIES – STAR STAR
PAGE
98
THE EIGHTIES – WINNING UGLY
PAGE
150
THE NINETIES – SPARKS WILL FLY
PAGE
202
PAGE
244
THE SIXTIES – OFF
A
NEW
THE
HOOK
CENTURY – OH NO, NOT YOU AGAIN
R
INTRODUCTION
ROLLING STONES 50 YEARS OF ROCK
Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency. The Rolling Stones formed in 1962, and in 1969, a pivotal year in music history, they assumed the mantle of the premier live performance entity in rock and roll. Their triumphant U.S. tour that year unleashed a tempest that propelled them into the Eighties. Following a dark period, they returned to the stage in 1989 and spent the better part of the next two decades touring the world and constantly reaffirming their place in history. Not to be forgotten is their astounding recorded catalog. Beggar’s Banquet, Aftermath, Exile on Main Street and Some Girls are just a few examples of their timeless work, any of which could be considered a career defining achievement on its own. The fact that each marks a significant point along the career arc for a single act is yet another testimony to the Rolling Stones’ greatness. The Rolling Stones also cultivated a variety of images. They were bad boys and jet-setters, exiles and junkies, the old guard and the team to beat. In the face of all opposition and obstacles, many of which were self-made, the Rolling Stones always delivered. This book examines the Rolling Stones as a working group since 1962. Its series of essays highlights key artistic events and achievements of the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band, including significant singles, landmark albums and tireless touring. As they approach their sixth decade of making music, the Rolling Stones are still the standard by which all rock and roll bands are measured. Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency. Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones.
5
ROLLING STONES 50 years of rock
THE SIXTIES OFF THE HOOK
50 years of rock
50 years of rock
T
THE WORLD’S GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND
Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency. The Rolling Stones formed in 1962, and in 1969, a pivotal year in music history, they assumed the mantle of the premier live performance entity in rock and roll. Their triumphant U.S. tour that year unleashed a tempest that propelled them into the Eighties. Following a dark period, they returned to the stage in 1989 and spent the better part of the next two decades touring the world and constantly reaffirming their place in history. Not to be forgotten is their astounding recorded catalog. Beggar’s Banquet, Aftermath, Exile on Main Street and Some Girls are just a few examples of their timeless work, any of which could be considered a career defining achievement on its own. The fact that each marks a significant point along the career arc for a single act is yet another testimony to the Rolling Stones’ greatness. The Rolling Stones also cultivated a variety of images. They were bad boys and jet-setters, exiles and junkies, the old guard and the team to beat. In the face of all opposition and obstacles, many of which were self-made, the Rolling Stones always delivered. This book examines the Rolling Stones as a working group since 1962. Its series of essays highlights key artistic events and achievements of the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band, including significant singles, landmark albums and tireless touring. As they approach their sixth decade of making music, the Rolling Stones are still the standard by which all rock and roll bands are measured. Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
5
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones
1964
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones
“the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll
“the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll
Band.” Fortunately for them, it was
Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a
a claim they backed up with remark-
claim they backed up with remark-
able consistency.
able consistency.
6
7
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remark-
1963
8
9
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES 6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES 6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
1969
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES
THE SEVENTIES STAR STAR
50 years of rock
50 years of rock
S
STONES ALSO CULTIVATED A VARIETY OF IMAGES
Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency. The Rolling Stones formed in 1962, and in 1969, a pivotal year in music history, they assumed the mantle of the premier live performance entity in rock and roll. Their triumphant U.S. tour that year unleashed a tempest that propelled them into the Eighties. Following a dark period, they returned to the stage in 1989 and spent the better part of the next two decades touring the world and constantly reaffirming their place in history. Not to be forgotten is their astounding recorded catalog. Beggar’s Banquet, Aftermath, Exile on Main Street and Some Girls are just a few examples of their timeless work, any of which could be considered a career defining achievement on its own. The fact that each marks a significant point along the career arc for a single act is yet another testimony to the Rolling Stones’ greatness. The Rolling Stones also cultivated a variety of images. They were bad boys and jet-setters, exiles and junkies, the old guard and the team to beat. In the face of all opposition and obstacles, many of which were self-made, the Rolling Stones always delivered. This book examines the Rolling Stones as a working group since 1962. Its series of essays highlights key artistic events and achievements of the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band, including significant singles, landmark albums and tireless touring. As they approach their sixth decade of making music, the Rolling Stones are still the standard by which all rock and roll bands are measured. Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
5
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
1970
6
7
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones
1975
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones
“the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll
“the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll
Band.” Fortunately for them, it was
Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a
a claim they backed up with remark-
claim they backed up with remark-
able consistency.
able consistency.
8
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES 6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them.
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll.
50 years of rock
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES
A NEW CENTURY OH NO, NOT YOU AGAIN
50 years of rock
S
STONES ALSO CULTIVATED A VARIETY OF IMAGES
Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency. The Rolling Stones formed in 1962, and in 1969, a pivotal year in music history, they assumed the mantle of the premier live performance entity in rock and roll. Their triumphant U.S. tour that year unleashed a tempest that propelled them into the Eighties. Following a dark period, they returned to the stage in 1989 and spent the better part of the next two decades touring the world and constantly reaffirming their place in history. Not to be forgotten is their astounding recorded catalog. Beggar’s Banquet, Aftermath, Exile on Main Street and Some Girls are just a few examples of their timeless work, any of which could be considered a career defining achievement on its own. The fact that each marks a significant point along the career arc for a single act is yet another testimony to the Rolling Stones’ greatness. The Rolling Stones also cultivated a variety of images. They were bad boys and jet-setters, exiles and junkies, the old guard and the team to beat. In the face of all opposition and obstacles, many of which were self-made, the Rolling Stones always delivered. This book examines the Rolling Stones as a working group since 1962. Its series of essays highlights key artistic events and achievements of the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band, including significant singles, landmark albums and tireless touring. As they approach their sixth decade of making music, the Rolling Stones are still the standard by which all rock and roll bands are measured. Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
5
6 Somewhere along the way some-
a claim they backed up with remark-
one – a publicist, a record company
able consistency.
promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones
6 Somewhere along the way some-
“the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll
one – a publicist, a record company
Band.” Fortunately for them, it was
promo person, a crew member.
7
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES 8
6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES 6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
11
50 years of rock
ROLLING STONES 6 Somewhere along the way someone – a publicist, a record company promo person, a crew member, a deejay – labeled the Rolling Stones “the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Fortunately for them, it was a claim they backed up with remarkable consistency.
13