Twisted Musings

I have been asked to write something about the Rolling Stones, my argument with this is, what can anyone say about the Stones that has not already been said? With that said, here goes. 

First let’s get this out of the way, the Stones are without a doubt the longest running rock group of all time in more ways than one. They have sold more records and albums than most, they have taken drugs more than most, they have run to jail more than most and they have had more charges against them  than most and they are still running after 47 years of being considered by most as the greatest rock group of all time. 

I did see the Stones in concert one time back in 1963 or 1964 at the DeMontfort Hall in my home town of Leicester England ( I can’t believe it 45 years ago) maybe I dreamed it, I think the show also included Little Richard. Leicester is a city in the midlands of  England and can be dated back as far as 2000 years Just like Mick Jagger!! 

The Rolling Stones took their name from the Muddy Waters song of the same name as did the Magazine Rolling Stone. The group was formed in London and at first was a Blues-influenced rock group with Mick Jagger (Vocals), Keith Richards (Lead Guitar), Brian Jones (Guitar), Bill Wyman (Bass), Charlie Watts (Drums) and Ian Stewart (Piano). They were the Bad Boy Group in contrast to the Beatles who were clean cut. Brian Jones died by drowning in July of 69 at the age of 27 and was replaced by Mick Taylor. Ron Wood replaced Taylor in 1975. Wyman left the group in 1992 and was replaced by Darryl Jones. December of 1995 the bands co founder, pianist and road Manager Ian Stewart died of a heart attack. 

The Movie Gimme Shelter is a documentary of the group’s performance at the 1969 Altamont concert in California. In 1986 they won the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.   They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2004 they were ranked number four in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 greatest artists of all time. Their image is emulated by many musicians still. From 1964 to 1989 in Billboards top 40 charts they had 41 top 40 songs with eight that hit number one. According to various sources they have sold a total of 1,200,350,000 records world wide. Wow, they must be the worlds Best Rock ‘N’ Roll Band.

Side Note: 

It was said once that Mick Jagger gave a Hippo the kiss of life, although I have never found this to be true.