Sixty Years of Rock and Roll
There are rock bands, and then there are The Rolling Stones. Formed in London in 1962, they have spent more than six decades at the forefront of popular music — outlasting trends, tragedies, and the passage of time itself. They are, by almost any measure, the greatest rock and roll band in the world.
The story begins with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, childhood friends from Dartford who reconnected on a train platform in 1961, bonded over a shared love of American blues records. With guitarist Brian Jones, drummer Charlie Watts, and bassist Bill Wyman, they formed a band that would change everything.
The Early Years: Blues, Rebellion, and Breakthrough
The Rolling Stones emerged from the same British rhythm and blues scene that produced The Beatles, but where The Beatles were polished and melodic, The Stones were raw, dangerous, and deliberately provocative. Their manager Andrew Loog Oldham understood this and leaned into it — positioning them as the bad boys of British pop.
Their early singles — covers of American blues and R&B songs — gave way to original material as Jagger and Richards developed as songwriters. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (1965) was the breakthrough: a song of such force and cultural resonance that it announced the band as a global phenomenon. Paint It Black, Jumpin' Jack Flash, and Sympathy for the Devil followed, each one cementing their reputation as one of the most exciting bands on the planet.
The Golden Era: 1968–1972
The period between Beggars Banquet (1968) and Exile on Main St. (1972) represents one of the greatest runs of albums in rock history. Beggars Banquet returned the band to their blues roots. Let It Bleed (1969) contained Gimme Shelter — one of the most powerful songs ever recorded. Sticky Fingers (1971) introduced the iconic Tongue and Lips logo designed by John Pasche.
And then came Exile on Main St. (1972) — a sprawling, chaotic, magnificent double album recorded in the basement of Keith Richards' rented villa in the south of France. It is widely regarded as their masterpiece and one of the greatest rock albums ever made.
Loss and Transition
The band's history is marked by tragedy. Founder Brian Jones, whose multi-instrumental genius had shaped the band's early sound, died in July 1969, just weeks after leaving the group. He was replaced by Mick Taylor, whose fluid guitar work graced the golden era albums, before Ronnie Wood joined in 1975 and became a permanent fixture.
Charlie Watts, the band's heartbeat for nearly sixty years, passed away in August 2021. His death was a profound loss — not just for the band, but for rock music as a whole. His understated, jazz-influenced drumming had been the foundation on which everything else was built.
Hackney Diamonds: The Comeback
In October 2023, The Rolling Stones released Hackney Diamonds — their first album of original material in eighteen years. It debuted at number one in the UK and was met with widespread critical acclaim. Featuring guest appearances from Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney, it proved that The Rolling Stones remain one of the most vital forces in rock music.
The Legacy
More than 250 million records sold. Sixty years of touring. A catalogue of songs that have soundtracked generations. The Rolling Stones are not just a band — they are a cultural institution, a living connection to the origins of rock and roll, and proof that great music is timeless.
Celebrate the legacy with our full range of official Rolling Stones merchandise, visit the Rolling Stones artist hub, or explore the Rock Music History Knowledge Hub.