Rolling Stones
Rock, Blues |
Inspired by the likes of Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters the Rolling Stones were a rock 'n' roll band that got its big break in 1963 thanks to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who after seeing the Stones perform became instant fans, penned the Stones first big hit - "I Wanna Be Your Man" after that there was no where to go but up.
The line-up of Brian Jones on guitar, Keith Richards on guitar, Charlie Watts on drums, Bill Wyman on bass and Mick Jagger in vocals was the original line-up which you can hear on such albums as Aftermath and Between the Buttons. This line-up w ...read more
Inspired by the likes of Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters the Rolling Stones were a rock 'n' roll band that got its big break in 1963 thanks to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who after seeing the Stones perform became instant fans, penned the Stones first big hit - "I Wanna Be Your Man" after that there was no where to go but up.
The line-up of Brian Jones on guitar, Keith Richards on guitar, Charlie Watts on drums, Bill Wyman on bass and Mick Jagger in vocals was the original line-up which you can hear on such albums as Aftermath and Between the Buttons. This line-up with Brian Jones on guitar stayed that way until 1969 when after being erratic and to high to perform most of the time the Stones replaced their original guitarist and founder Brian Jones for a fresh faced but experienced 2 former John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Mick Taylor. Not long after they replaced Brian Jones for Mick Taylor, Brian Jones at his home drowned to death in his swimming pool at the age of 27. His death has become somewhat of a mystery after Frank Thorogood who was living with and working for Jones at the time on his death bed confessed to killing Jones. No one had time to record this or get details before he died so it will likely remain a mystery.
The line-up with Mick Taylor was the Stones most productive and probably best. During this time they released their three perfect albums in a row starting with Let It Bleed in 1969, Sticky Fingers in 1971 and finally Exile on Main Street in 1972 which is often considered their best album of all time. After only a little less than 6 years in the band in 1975 Mick Taylor quit the band the reasons are unknown exactly but band suspects it s because Keith and him often had clashing opinions and maybe some rivalry. Other think it s because of his increased drug use during the Rolling Stone days and he didn t want to turn into another Brian Jones. Still others think that he was a little mad about after 6 years still getting the short stick in everything (read: money) and lack of recognition as a Stone. Only Mick Taylor really knows but most likely it's a combination of the three.
Brian Jones and now Mick Taylor, two guitarists in a little over ten years? This time the Stones wanted someone who would understand that he will always be the new guy, someone who wouldn't mind not receiving equal royalties, someone who would get along with Keith, this someone was Ronnie Wood ex-Faces guitarist and ex-Jeff Beck Group bassist. Ron Wood and Keith knew each other previously from various jam sessions and other little things which is probably why he got picked over the likes of Jeff Beck, Mick Ronson or Rory Gallagher or maybe he got picked because he was the best choice for them, he was dirty, he played the Stones style, he and Keith had great chemistry, and this isn t to mention he is a very good guitarist. Over the years as a Stone he has played slide guitar and bass on various tracks and has become a key part in live performances playing whatever instrument is needed to play. Ron Wood work can be heard on such albums as Some Girls and their newest A Bigger Bang.
The '80s were a hard time for the Stones Ian Stewart often called the 6th Stone died of a heart attack in 1985. Ian had been with the band since the beginning but due to Andrew Loog Oldham (manager at the time) image concerns about the band (Ian wasn t exactly the prettiest thing) he was forced to become more of a back ground player. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger s relationship was also on the rocks with Mick deciding to promote his solo record instead of work with the Stones Keith saw this as sort of betraying the band and decided to do his own solo album in spite of Mick. Another big disappoint hit the band in 1991. Bill Wyman quit the band, the reasons he said were because his personal life was a mess and he needed change after half his life with the Stones. In recent years the Stones have hired Darryl Jones to fill in for bass but he hasn t been ask to join the band formerly and most likely won't be. Their recent effort A Bigger Bang has been called their best work since Tattoo You or Some Girls, although not anywhere close to the Stones in their prime its still an excellent effort. « hide |
