The Rolling Stones are one of the most legendary British bands of all time. Hailing from Dartford, Kent, singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards met as teens before starting a garage band together. A short while later they recruited other members of the band.
When did The Rolling Stones form?
The Rolling Stones first practised together as a group in June 1962 when Jagger and Richards invited keyboardist Ian Steward, drummer Tony Chapman and guitarist Brian Jones to the band.
Jones first named the band “Rollin’ Stone” while on the phone to a local publication, the Jazz News newspaper.
While talking to the journalist Jones was asked what the name of the band was. Not having an answer, he looked around for inspiration, before settling on a Muddy Waters LP which included a track titled Rollin’ Stone.
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The Rollin’ Stones played their first gig on July 12, 1962 at the Marquee Club in London.
Less than a year later, the band hired Charlie Watts as their permanent drummer in January 1963, where he remained until his death.
They also hired bassist Bill Wyman, who remained in the band until 1993.
A year after that The Rolling Stones released their debut self-titled album on April 16, 1964.
The number one record was a smash hit, going platinum in Canada.
The full line-up of The Rolling Stones wasn’t realised until April 23, 1976, when Ronnie Wood joined the band.
Wood’s arrival in the group followed Jones’ exit from the band, who was replaced by Mick Taylor, who subsequently left in 1975.
With the full line-up, The Rolling Stones have gone on to release 30 studio albums and 33 live albums.
Throughout these albums, the band has released 121 singles.
The Rolling Stones’ first single was Come On, a cover of the Chuck Berry song of the same name.
The single was released in June 1963 and reached number 21 in the UK charts.
Throughout their career, the Stones have claimed eight number one singles.
Since the band’s formation in 1962, The Rolling Stones have sold an estimated 200 million records, making them one of the best-selling artists of all time.
They have also won four Grammy Awards. These were made up of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Music Video Short Form, Best Rock Album (Voodoo Lounge) and Best Traditional Blues Album.
Jagger, Watts, Richards and Wood have continued to be a part of the band to this day.
Watts died on August 24, 2021, prompting an outcry from the rock music community.