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The Rolling Stones were formed in 1962 with the line-up of Mick Jagger (vocals & harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar & vocal), Dick Taylor (bass, later to be replaced by Bill Wyman), Brian Jones (guitar) and Mick Avery (drums, also replaced by Charlie Watts). Now and then they were also joined by the pianist Ian Stewart.
The group's breakthrough came in 1964 in Europe with the single "It's All Over Now". Their early material had a distinctive Rhythm & Blues which was no surprise, as their idols were Rhythm and Blues singers, such as Bo Diddley.
Throughout the years The Rolling Stones certainly have had various encounters with the police. but their hits, for example "Angie", Honky Tonk Woman", "Ruby Tuesday" or "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", only to name a few, still kept coming.
One of their concerts in Hyde Park in 1969 was filled with sadness and sorrow, as 2 days earlier their former bassist Brian Jones (who had incidentally already left the group earlier the same year to pursue a solo career) was found dead in his swimming pool*.
Although Mick Jagger also successfully pursued various solo ideas, he still remained true to the group. On many occasions the group had bad critics, but time and time again they have come back with a new album and proved them all wrong.
Apart from the unfortunate departure of Brian Jones, followed by Bill Wyman's leaving in the 80s, the 'core' of The Rolling Stones has stayed together. Ron Wood, also once famous with the Faces (Rod Steward, etc.), has since joined the band, and their success has carried on right until now, the 90s.
At present they have just finished off their "Bridges to Babylon" tour. One of the actual stage equipments used on that particular tour, a 170ft retractable bridge, has been dismantled and shipped back to the U.K. where Keith Richards wants to rebuild it in the garden of his mansion.
For
a band to still be so popular after 35 years in music business it's an
outstanding achievement. Also, to be constantly turning out new material
to various generations is certainly something not many groups these days
can claim to do.
*) It was thought for years that the death of Brian Jones was a tragic accident. Over the last few years though a different story has arisen. Apparently, Brian Jones had argued with a builder who had been working for him and a fight broke out between the two of them. The builder hit him and Jones fell into the swimming pool, knocking himself out. This story actually only came to light when the builder was lying on his own death bed several years later and recalled the events of that fateful day.
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