The Rolling Stones through the years: How the band became rock icons
Take a trip down memory lane in celebration of 60 years!
The Rolling Stones are the English rock band who produced some of the most iconic rock songs of all time, including 'The Last Time', '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' and 'Get Off Of My Cloud'. Yet, with their estimated record sales sitting at 250 million, and various awards on their mantelpiece, there has been some ups and downs since they formed in 1962.
Following the release of their latest studio album, we've decided to take a look at some of the biggest moments from the Rolling Stones' career, so take a trip down memory lane with our Rolling Stones timeline right here.
Who is in the Rolling Stones?
Like many bands from the 60s and 70s, the Rolling Stones have had various members over the years. However, the current line-up is as follows:
- Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar, percussion and keyboards.
- Keith Richards – lead and rhythm guitars, bass guitar, backing and lead vocals.
- Ronnie Wood – rhythm and lead guitars, bass guitar and backing vocals.
Charlie Watts was the band's drummer, percussionist and backing vocalist. He sadly passed away in August 2021, aged 80.
Former members include Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, Mick Taylor and Bill Wyman.
A tribute to Charlie Watts
Stones drummer Charlie Watts sadly passed away on 24th August 2021 aged 80. At the time, The Rolling Stones shared a heartfelt statement on their social media.
The band said: 'It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.
'Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones, one of the greatest drummers of his generation.
'We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.'
The band have paid tribute to Charlie in several ways since his sad passing, including dedicating the first performance of their 'No Filter' tour to the late drummer. In December 2021, the band played a secret tribute gig in honour of Charlie at his favourite jazz bar.
Are the Rolling Stones touring?
The band have just finished a US tour, which they teased in 2023, to complement their latest album 'Hackney Diamonds'.
Before that, in March 2022, the Rolling Stones announced a European tour, including three dates in the UK, two in London and one in Liverpool. Their 'SIXTY' tour celebrated 60 years of the band and Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood promised a show packed full of their classics such as 'Satisfaction', 'Paint It Black', 'Tumbling Dice', 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Gimme Shelter', along with some surprises from their half a century of greatest hits.
The band also took to the stage at American Express presents BST Hyde Park on Saturday 25th June and Sunday 3rd July 2022, and added a third UK date at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, on Thursday 9th June 2022.
Where are the Rolling Stones from?
The Rolling Stones are from London in England.
Where did the Rolling Stones get their band name?
In 1962, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Mick Taylor and Tony Chapman came up with their name after a journalist asked them what their band name was. Caught on the spot, the band saw a Muddy Waters LP lying on the floor and saw that one of the tracks was 'Rollin' Stone.' That's when the band's name was born.
How many albums have the Rolling Stones released?
The Rolling Stones have released 23 studio albums. Their first, titled 'Rolling Stones', was released in 1964, with their most recent in 2016, titled, 'Blue & Lonesome.' They are due to release their next album in October 2023, it is called 'Hackney Diamonds'.
Are the Rolling Stones still together?
Yes! The Rolling Stones are still together and are performing!
The Rolling Stones new music
In January 2022 Keith Richards gave an update saying that "new music is on its way".
The band then announced their first album of original material in 18 years in September 2023. ‘Hackney Diamonds’ is The Rolling Stones’ 24th studio album and their first set of new material since ‘A Bigger Bang’. 'A Bigger Bang' was released exactly 18 years beforehand, on 6th September 2005.
The band also released the music video for their first new release 'Angry'.
The Rolling Stones on TikTok
In 2023, The Rolling Stones joined TikTok, amassing almost 650k followers on the platform and being among the top 10 most listened to artists in the UK on TikTok in 2023. You can find the band on TikTok with the username therollingstones.
Which are some of the Rolling Stone's most famous songs?
You'll have no doubt heard some of these over the years - take a look through our list of favourite's below...
WATCH: The Rolling Stones - 'Little Red Rooster'
LISTEN: The Rolling Stones - 'Get Off My Cloud'
WATCH: The Rolling Stones - 'Its All Over Now'
WATCH: The Rolling Stones - 'Jumping Jack Flash'
LISTEN: The Rolling Stones - 'Satisfaction'
WATCH: The Rolling Stones - 'Honky Tonk Women'
The Rolling Stones Royal Mail stamp collection
To honour The Rolling Stones on their 60th anniversary, Royal Mail released 12 commemorative stamps on 20th January 2022.
The stamps were available in a selection of bundles including special limited edition releases ranging from £5 to a 24 carat gold plated collection, which retailed for £149.99 .
The Rolling Stones - 'Live At The El Mocambo'
The Rolling Stones released the live recordings from one of their most famous gigs of all time. Performing under the name The Cockroaches, the band performed two nights at the El Mocambo venue in Toronto in 1977.
The entire live setlist from the shows has never been released as one collection until now, although some songs have featured in other albums including their 'Love You Live' 1977 album.
Listen to 'Rip This Joint' - Live at El Mocambo, 1977 by The Rolling Stones:
You can hear the Rolling Stones on the Greatest Hits Radio playlist.
Check out the timeline of The Rolling Stones' career:
1962: Where it all began
The first stable line-up of The Rolling Stones consisted of singer Mick Jagger, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts, and bassist Bill Wyman. In 1962, the band carried out their first UK tour, which helped them gain new fans and learn their craft.
1963: A record deal
Having completed their first tour and signing Andrew Loog Oldham as their manager, the Rolling Stones signed a record deal with Decca Records. The label, who had previously turned down The Beatles, gave the Rolling Stones a deal that, for the time, was unheard of. It consisted of the band getting three times an new act's typical royalty rate, full artistic control of recordings and ownership of the recording master tapes.
1963: Their first single
In the same year, the band released their debut single, a cover version of Chuck Berry's 'Come On.' It landed at Number 21 in the UK charts. They then released their second single 'I Wanna Be Your Man', which peaked at Number 12. It was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
1964: A debut album
In 1964, the Rolling Stones released their debut, self-titled album, which charted at Number 1 in the UK and Number 11 in the US. The album included the Number 3 single, 'Not Fade Away.'
1965: Number 1 UK single and international success
Following the success of their first album, the Rolling Stones were quick to release another in 1965. The LP, titled 'The Rolling Stones No. 2', debuted at Number 1 in the UK and Number 5 in the US. The single 'The Last Time' from the album reached Number 1 in the UK - their first ever UK chart-topper.
The band also released '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' in 1965, which went to Number 1 in the UK and spent four weeks at the top of the US charts. 'Get Off of My Cloud' was released the same year, which went to Number 1 in both the UK and US.
1968: Back to basics
Following a turbulent three years, involving a newspaper sting on the band for their alleged illegal drug use, the band released 'Beggars Banquet', a mix of country and blues-inspired songs. The music was similar to their first work. The album reached Number 3 in the UK and Number 5 in the US and included the hit singles 'Street Fighting Man' and 'Sympathy for the Devil.'
1969: Brian Jones' death
After leaving the band in 1969 due to his drug addiction, Brian Jones admitted to his band members he was "unable to go on the road again." A month later, Brian Jones drowned in his swimming pool at his house in Hartfield, East Sussex.
Guitarist Mick Taylor replaced Brian Jones.
1975: Ronnie Wood joins the band
In 1974, Mick Taylor left the band and in 1975, Ronnie Wood replaced him, joining the band just before they toured America.
1976: Number 1 in the US
After the success of their 1974 album 'It's Only Rock 'n Roll', which went Number 1 in the US, the band released 'Black and Blue' in 1976. The album was straight to the top of the charts in the US and peaked at Number 2 in the UK.
1981: Setting world records
With another Number 1 album under their belt, the Rolling Stones signed a new four-album recording deal with a new label, CBS Records, for a reported $50 million. At the time, this was the biggest record deal in history.
1986: A potential split
In 1986, rifts in the band were rife, predominantly between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Mick Jagger undertook a solo career, releasing several albums, while in 1988, Keith Richards did the same, after it the Rolling Stones stopped recording music.
1994: A comeback
Reuniting after the internal conflict, the Rolling Stones released their 20th studio album 'Voodoo Lounge', which reached Number 1 in the UK and Number 2 in the US. Voodoo Lounge won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 1995 Grammy Awards. The band then went on to carry out a year long tour to support the album called 'Voodoo Lounge Tour', which grossed $320 million, becoming the world's highest-grossing tour at the time.
2002: 40th anniversary
In 2002, the Rolling Stones released 'Forty Licks', a greatest hits double album, marking forty years as a band. It reached Number 2 in the UK and US thanks to their legion of fans and to put the cherry on top of the cake, Q magazine named the Rolling Stones one of the 50 Bands To See Before You Die.
2005: Breaking records
Following various successful tours, in 2005, the 'Bigger Bang' tour set a record of $162 million, breaking the North American mark set by the band in 1994. On 18 February 2006 the band played a free concert to over one million people at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro—one of the largest rock concerts of all time.
2019 - 2020: 'No Filter Tour'
For a massive 14 years, the group toured the world non-stop, raking in the cash and performing to their devoted fans. In that time, they only released one studio album. In 2019, the band toured with 'No Filter Tour' in both the UK and US. In 2020, part of the tour was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Tour after sad death of Charlie Watts
Sadly, on 24th August 2021, the devastating news was announced that drummer Charlie Watts had sadly died. The Rolling Stones are set to continue the 'No Filter Tour' without their late friend, and bandmate of almost 60 years.
The tour was originally scheduled for 2020, but was postponed due to the pandemic. The band began the rescheduled dates of the 'No Filter Tour' on 26th September 2021 - the first performances since losing Charlie.
2022: The Rolling Stones announce new tour dates
The Rolling Stones announced three epic shows in summer 2022 as part of their 'SIXTY' tour, celebrating their 60th anniversary. The 'Paint it Black' band performed two dates in London and a third in Liverpool.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood gave a show packed full of their classics such as 'Satisfaction', 'Paint It Black', 'Tumbling Dice', 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Gimme Shelter', along with some surprises from their half a century of greatest hits.
2022: Mick Jagger creates theme song for Slow Horses
Mick Jagger took on an exciting solo project, when he co-wrote and recorded the track 'Strange Game' for the Apple TV+ series Slow Horses.
Described as being a 'Poignant, moodily strutting theme tune', the song was co-written by Academy Award-nominated film composer Daniel Pemberton, and is due to be released when the series premiered on 1st April.
2022: The Rolling Stones 'SIXTY' shows
The Rolling Stones put on three incredible shows in the UK as part of their 'SIXTY' tour. They played at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium on 9th June and performed at London's BTS Hyde Park on 25th June and 3rd July.
2022 - 2023: The Rolling Stones announce 'GRRR Live' album and concert
In December, The Rolling Stones announced an album called 'GRRR Live', recorded on their '50 & Counting Tour' in 2012.
They followed this up with the announcement of an immersive virtual tour, with one of the shows from their 2012 tour being streamed worldwide, with fans able to interact. It includes performances from Mick Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer and Lady Gaga.
The virtual concert experience took place on 2nd February 2023, with the album being released on 10th February.
2023: The Rolling Stones announce 'Hackney Diamonds'
The Rolling Stones announce their first album with original music in 18 years, called 'Hackney Diamonds'. They also released the first song from their album called 'Angry'.
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