Rolling Stones Biography

Excerpt ...
The Rolling Stones are planning a tour for their 50th anniversary, but the news has not been released via press conference, as the band has done before the start of every tour for the last 40 years. Instead, word comes courtesy of a lawsuit filed against concert giant Live Nation by its former chairman.

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The story began in 1962 in Dartford, Kent. On July 12th 1962, five guys had got together to form a band. Mick Jagger, keith Richards, Dick Taylor, Brian Jones, Tony Chapman and Ian Stewart formed the original line up at the Marquee club.

The band was inspired by, and wanted to honour, the Muddy Waters number "Rollin' Stone". Whilst Jones's desire was Chicago blues biased, Jagger and Richards brought the rock and roll of Berry and Diddley. The Rolling Stones acquired a rhythm perspective when Wyman and Watts joined the band some 6 months later.

One thing lead to another, and before long, an image was created, and tours were the order of the day. Number one hits across the continents, wild parties, and all the trappings of being the World's number one rock band quickly became a way of life for the band, and they revelled in it - and not without the odd untoward incident besides!

By now, unfortunately, the band had lost Brian Jones, owing to health issue, and his replacement was Mick Taylor. Another major change of direction was in the shape of forming Rolling Stones Records, their own production company, as their relationship with Decca had ended owing to contractual issues.

One of the best know hits "Brown Sugar" was released in the early seventies, and also at this time, the Rolling Stones were advised to leave England, for tax reasons. They thus departed the shores of the UK and went to live in the South of France. Richards had rented a villa there, and sublet to fellow band members.

The success, hits, shenanigans, and popularity, like the Stones, rolled on.

There was a round of turmoil around the time of the new decade, but after getting together again, the Rolling Stones undertook another US tour at the beginning of the 1980's.

The relationship between Jagger and Richards became fragile following a deal that Jagger had done with CBS records, for some solo work. It appeared that Jagger felt he was becoming dated, redundant, and worn out, due to the structure of the Rolling Stones, and needed a fresh impetus.

There was a period of heavy disagreement during the 1980's, the relationship between Jagger and Richards sinking to new depths, partly because of Jagger's solo work. However, disagreements were put aside for another album and tour at the end of the 1980's, their first in 7 years.

The Steel Wheels, and Urban Jungle tours, proved to be the last for Bill Wyman, who departed the Rolling Stones to work on a solo career. Other band members were also soloing with success during the 1990's too.

Amongst their achievements, a "Best Rock Album" Grammy was awarded to the Rolling Stones in 1995, for Voodoo Lounge; it also went to double platinum in the US.

The Bridges to Babylon album came at the end of the 1990's, but was greeted with mixed reviews.

For the new decade, the Forty Licks album was a celebration of 40 years of the Rolling Stones, and sold 7 million copies Worldwide.

As long as their enthusiasm and energy continues, they are able to keep on with their profession, and people are willing to support them, there is no sign Rolling Stones will retire.

Personality clashes occur in every walk of life, and that's no different for the band. It will however, be a sad day when they can no longer bring their unique talent into our lives.