The Greatest Rock’n’Roll Band in the World is not a tag most rock groups would be able to live up to, but with more than 2,000 live shows, a host of iconic and influential releases, over six decades in the game and still going strong, the Rolling Stones have more than made it their own. Inside we tell the story of their incredible journey through the decades, from their early days as a blues cover band and 1960s rock rebels to 21st century rock’n’roll royalty. Discover how Mick’s chance reunion with former friend and classmate Keith changed the rock world forever. Meet the original lineup and find out about the band’s early influences. Explore how the Stones created their own distinctive sound, continually evolving as each new decade and its fresh challenges rolled into view. Uncover their musical legacy and impact and how they revolutionised touring and live shows, influencing many of music’s biggest acts. And that barely scratches the surface – we also bring you stories of brushes with the law (and the taxman), tales of fallouts and fights, and, as you’d expect from Mick, Keith and the boys, a healthy smattering of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll. We’ve also ranked and rated every UK studio album – how does your favourite Rolling Stones record fare? You can’t always get what you want, but hopefully inside you’ll find everything you need. Enjoy!
WELCOME THE ROLLING STONES THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Chapter 1 EARLY YEARS
LET’S GET ROLLING! • LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT’S THE SOUND OF 1962: THE ROLLING STONES. LET’S HEAR HOW IT ALL STARTED…
you can’t always get WHAT YOU WANT* • HOW IT ALL WENT RIGHT – AND THEN SO VERY WRONG – FOR THE ROLLING STONES AT THE END OF THE SIXTIES
Chapter 2 1970s
Let the DEBAUCHERY Begin! • THE CRAZY STORY OF THE ROLLING STONES’ EARLY SEVENTIES: WOULD AMERICA EVER RECOVER FROM THE ONSLAUGHT OF BRITAIN’S MOST NOTORIOUS R&B COMBO?
Do you FEEL LUCKY, Punk? • HOW THE ROLLING STONES SURVIVED LEGAL TROUBLES – AND SEVERAL SPINS OF THE WHEEL OF FASHION – AS THE EIGHTIES APPROACHED
Chapter 3 1980s
LIVIN’ IN THE EIGHTIES • HOW DID THE ROLLING STONES NAVIGATE THE DAY-GLO DECADE OF THATCHERISM? SADLY, WITH INFIGHTING, PATCHY SOLO WORK AND A COUPLE OF SUBPAR ALBUMS – BUT ALSO A WHOLE LOT OF TOURING REVENUE…
Chapter 4 1990s
PRE-MILLENNIAL TENSIONS • AFTER A ROCKY EIGHTIES, THE STONES ROLLED INTO THE DECADE OF GRUNGE AND BRITPOP WITH EVERYTHING TO PROVE…
Chapter 5 2000s
NEW CENTURY, NEW MISSION • THE 2000S WERE THE DECADE WHEN, AGE BE DAMNED, THE ROLLING STONES BECAME THE WORLD’S BIGGEST ROCK BAND… HOW THE HECK DID THEY PULL THAT OFF?
Chapter 6 2010s
Time To Make Hay… • …WHILE THE SUN WAS SHINING! THE ROLLING STONES’ PROFITABLE PRE-PANDEMIC DECADE CELEBRATED
Chapter 7 2020s
Diamonds In The Rough • DID YOU THINK THE STONES WOULD HAVE BOWED GRACEFULLY OUT BY NOW? NOT A CHANCE…
Chapter 8 LEGACY & IMPACT
LIVE LEGACY • THE ROLLING STONES’ GREATEST LEGACY IS THEIR PERFORMANCE RECORD. HOW DID THEY CHANGE THE WORLD OF LIVE MUSIC?
THE STONES’ LEGACY • IN WHAT WAYS WERE THE STONES PIONEERS – AND HOW WILL THEY BE REMEMBERED?
Every ROLLING STONES album ranked • …FROM WORST TO BRILLIANT, BELLIGERENT BEST
The Stones’ US releases • What’s this you say? The Stones’ albums were different in the US and UK…?
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Rolling Stones: The Ultimate Guide