Now believe it or not, I was still pretty young when The Rolling Stones first came upon the music scene in 1962. The band was formed when original leader Brian Jones and pianist Ian Stewart were joined by singer Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, bassist Bill Wyman, and drummer Charlie Watts. Formed in London, England their music was originally based on rhythm & blues and rock & roll.
The group set out on their first UK tour in July of 1963 (when I wasn't even five years old) and shortly after the British Invasion hit the shores and ears of America when they performed their first US tour in June of 1964. In bassist's Bill Wyman's words it was, "a disaster. When we arrived, we didn't have a hit record [there] or anything going for us." On their second US tour in the autumn of 1964, the band played on The Ed Sullivan Show (a major showcase for new talent at the time) but you can bet your bottom dollar my parents didn't let us watch that performance!
During both of these tours, the group was mostly performing cover songs and not playing any of their own songs yet. Even though there had been a single or two released earlier that was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it wasn't until December of 1964 that their label, London Records, released the band's first single with Jagger/Richards originals on both sides: Heart of Stone and What A Shame. The "A" side, Heart of Stone, went to number 19 on the US charts. Shortly after that, the band stopped doing covers and concentrated on their own work.

All in all, The Rolling Stones have released 22 studio albums in the UK (24 in the US), eight concert albums (nine in the US), and numerous compilations; they have had 32 UK & US top-10 singles, 43 UK & US top-10 albums between 1964 and 2008; and have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide. Last year they hit the road with the highest-grossing concert tour in history and they show absolutely no signs of slowing down. I'd have to say that these guys are certainly under no one's thumb!
For more Manic Monday posts, don't forget to visit Morgen at It's a Blog Eat Blog World and look under the picture for participants!
Groovy! I haven't heard this somg in ages!
ReplyDeleteVery informative post. Who are these folks? *LOL*
ReplyDeleteJust kiddin'...
A different song popped into my head, especially when I saw Mo's graphic on his linky post. The barenaked ladies song, "Pinch Me". I could hide out under there
I just made you say 'underwear'.
Happy MM!
I am astonished to hear that you was still pretty young when The Rolling Stones first came upon the music scene in 1962.
ReplyDeleteJust cruzin by to say Happy Monday. Hope the weather cools in your area.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice for the word "under."
ReplyDeleteI remember when it was on the (AM) radio. A lot!
;-)
oh gosh, he looks so young!!! ha ha ha
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Great job, Linda! I remember RS were my first concert ever. It was in 1991, one of the first bands to perform in Prague after the fall of communism. Before that, nobody was allowed to come... Ahhhh, the memories.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Monday!
I did not think of this video.
ReplyDelete:( I can't play the song here at work. Stupid work. Let's play hookie-come back to Boston and we'll do something fun. (Inside though, it's HOT!)
ReplyDeleteGreat history on the song and it is nice to see the Stones looking a little less like Crypt Keepers.
ReplyDeleteUnder my Thumb... one of my favorite Stones tunes... Good post!
ReplyDeleteIntersting stats about the Stones.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of the word "over". You really put a lot of work into this post. I learned a lot!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm rollin' on out of here.
Over!
And out.
I've never done this one. I love the Rolling Stones. Hope your week has started off great.
ReplyDeleteIt's fashionable among the younger music snobs in my office to suggest that bands like The Stones should retire and get out of the way of newer acts.
ReplyDeleteI remind them that many of the acts they think are the $**t these days got their influences from bands like The Stones, who were influenced by earlier blues acts.
I mean really! If you're going to be a music snob, at least know what you're talking about...right??
Great post!
I can remember drooling over Mick Jagger from the Stones and other groups like Led Zep and The Who. I'm happy to say that my older dd thinks that they are all great musicians and we actually share something in common when it comes to music.
ReplyDeleteWho would imagine such a thing - an old fogie like me and a 21 year old liking the same music? Well you would!