The Rolling Stones first arrived on the British music scene in 1963, with the release of their first single: "come on/I wanna be loved". In the 35 years that followed, The Rolling Stones have never failed in shocking, perplexing and inspititing critics and fans alike.While musical trends flit through the charts from year to year, the Rolling Stones still remain the best Rock 'n roll band of the world.
In October 1962, Mick, Keith, Ian and Tony stepped into Curly Clayton Sound Studios to make their first demo, featuring the three tracks: "Soon forgotten". "you can't judge a book" and "Close together". The demo was send out to a number of record companies and received little or no response. At the beginning of 1963 Charlie Watts decides to join the Stones. With a permanent drummer now, the Stones step into IBC studios, Portland place, London to record five tracks: "Roadrunner", "Bright lights big city", "Diddley diddley daddy", Honey", "What's wrong", and "I wanna be loved". The tapes still failed to make an impression on any of the record labels approached. But then they sign a management deal with Impact Sound. Within days changes were being made! The Stones recut Chuck Berry's: "Come on" and Willie Dixon's: "I wanna be loved" at Decca Studios in west Hampstead. The tracks are released as The Stones debut single on June 7th, and reaches number 20 in the British charts. April 1964 they record their first album: "The Rolling Stones"
Nineteen sixty five began with the release of the second Rolling Stones album in the U.K., titled: "The Rolling Stones no.2". Meanwhile the band are holed up in Regent Sound Studios in London recording tracks for their next U.S. album release due in February "The Rolling Stones now!" A new single, "(I can't get no)satisfaction" is released in the U.S. and becomes their first number one in the country, staying in the charts for eighteen weeks. Then the Stones add the finishing touches to their fourth album in the U.S.: "Out of our heads". It stays in the charts for sixty five weeks, three of them at the number one spot! The same titled album is released in the UK, their third for this marked, but with a different track listing, and reaches number two. "(I can't get no)satisfaction" is finaly released in the UK in August, three months after it debuted in the U.S. This, The Stones'seventh single, tops the UK charts for three weeks. A British tour begins at the Astoria in London, while a new single is released in the U.S. "Get of my cloud". The Stones begin another tour of the U.S. at the end of October. The sell-out tour is yet again overshadowed with reports of both fans and the band injured during performances. A show in New York is stopped by the police when 3000 fans storm the stage.
NINETEEN SIXTY SIX
The Rolling Stones returned in 1966 with a collection of songs of their own creation. While previous releases were just re-worked versions of obscure blues tracks, the past few singles released at the tail end of 1965 were Jagger/Richards compositions. "19th Nervous breakdown" was the first single to be released in 1966, reaching number one on both sides of the atlantic. The results from RCA sessions earlier in the year were released as "Aftermath" in the UK in April. This album featured fourteen new tracks all composed by Jagger and Richards. Decca had refused to release it under it's original title of "Could you walk on water". "Aftermath" holds the number one spot in the UK for seven weeks. A month later "Paint it black" is released in the UK and U.S. scoring another number one hit for the group in both countries. On the release of "Aftermath" in America in June, the Stones travel over for their fifth U.S. tour. Once again the sell-out tour is plagued with hysteria and riots. After a short break, the Stones re-group in September to begin promoting their new single "Have you seen your mother baby? standing in the shadows", including an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and Ready Steady Go! Brian is absent from both the shows after breaking two bones in his left hand. The sleeve of the single features a picture of the band in drag. The Stones even change their names for the occasion: Mick becomes Sara, Keith is Milly, Brian is Flossie, Charlie is Millicent and Bill is Penelope! A promotional film is also made, but is banned by Top Of The Pops. The single reaches number five in both the UK and U.S. A British tour begins at the Royal Albert Hall, London on September 23rd. The audience invades the stage, resulting in more than fifty girls being carried off to hospital. The show is recorded for possible release as a live album and described in the press as the rock event of the year. At the after-show party the band are presented with 22 Gold Discs for sales of their last four albums. "Big hits(High tide and green grass)" is released in the UK in November, reaching number four in the charts. It stays in the charts for thirteen weeks. Towards the end of the year the Stones begin recording sessions at Olympic Studios in London for a new album due for release at the start of 1967. The sessions are completed ten days later. The band go their separate ways for the christmas period.
NINETEEN SIXTY SEVEN
The Rolling Stones begin 1967 in Olympic studios in London, mixing their new album,"Between the buttons", due for release before the end of the month. The album is preceded by a new single, "Let's spend the night together"/"Ruby tuesday" released in the U.S. and UK. When it came to performing the song on the Ed Sullivan Show, Mick is asked to change the words to:"Let's spend some time together". Several U.S. radio stations banned the record due to it's 'sexual' content, resulting in "Ruby tuesday" becoming the A-side. The single reaches number one in America and number two in the UK. "Between the buttons" is released on January the 20th in the UK where it reaches number three. A week later it is released in the U.S., reaching number two. At this time the Stones are back at Olympic Studios recording more material. For the next few months however, music is about to take back seat for the band. On February 12th the police raid Keith's house in Suxxes during a party, with a warrant issued onder the dangerous drugs act. Mick, Keith and art dealer Robert Frasier are all arrested. Mick is charged with possession of four amphetamine tablets, legally bought in Italy; Keith for allowing pot to be smoked in his residence; Robert Frasier for possession of Heroin. Mick, Keith, Marianne Faitfull, Brian and Anita Pallenberg spend the next few weeks relaxing in Marocco, away from the media circus back in London. Brian suffers an asthma attack during the trip and is hospitalized in the South of France. While Brian is in hospital, Keith and Anita Pallenberg begin an affair. Brian returns to Marocco to find Mick, Keith, Anita and Marianne have returned to London. On their return Mick and Keith are summoned to appear in court on May the 10th. A European tour begins in Sweden on March 25th, and the events from the previous months result in Customs Officers keeping a watchful eye on the band. Mick and Keith are released on 100 pound bail and remanded for trial on 22nd of June. Brian Jones is arrested and charged with possession of drugs on the same day. Jones is released on 250 pound bail to appear at Marlborough street magistrate's court the following day. A week later the Stones start working on a new album at Olympic Studios. In between sessions, Mick and Keith take time out to record backing vocals on the Beatles "All you need is love".
