The hardest working band in rock ‘n roll since their formation 6 decades back are continually rolling in late 2021 extending into 2022 with all the members pushing 80.
Born July 26, 1943 Michael Phillip Jagger, in the U. K. with his father, a gym teacher, Jagger acquired some athletic abilities, energy, of course at that age it’s all about energy. Born December 18, 1943 in Dartford U. K. Keith Richards achieved international fame when he teamed up with his best chum Jagger. Soon Charlie Watts, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman came along from different sides of town and, with all the musical interest each displayed and after many name changes, eventually came the Rolling Stones in 1965.
By the time the band was forming, Bill was the only married member and with instrumental knowledge, he brought electricity to the Stones. Charlie hung out at jazz clubs where he indulged his musical tastes. Already being a good drummer, he was discovered by Jagger and the rest is history. Keith being more anonymous about his own laws, was totally different from Mick who was narcissistic and flamboyant and detected in all their concerts. He doesn’t hold back.
The band is no stranger to the arrests as they all have had brushes with the law thanks to controlled substances, which today are a little more relaxed. Things change 60 years later and even though they are the Stones, they still have to behave. To this very day, Richards will always be sporting a trademark cigarette between his lips and has fathered 4 children with his ten week old son, Tara succumbing to SIDS in 1976 as he was on tour with the band which nearly drove Keith to suicide.
Enter late comer Ronnie David Wood who entered the band in 1975 after departing Rod Stewart and The Faces when Rod (aka Rod the Bod) starting overshadowing his band and became more popular as a solo artist. Ronnie saw the opportunity for growth with the Stones. After 6 years Rod started his own gigs as just Rod Stewart. His popularity keeps soaring despite health issues of his own.
Brian Jones, the original founder of the Rolling Stones opted out of the band after drug issues and a month later, in 1969, drowned. Jagger took over the reins and never looked back. Bill Wyman had a short stint with the boys but left the band in 1993 chasing after bigger bucks. At age 84, I hope he finally found it.
They have had numerous albums with most going platinum and with 30 studio albums/cds, 33 live albums, 29 compilation albums, three extended plays (EP), over 100 singles, 32 box sets and so much more in addition to multiple world tours. I have only experienced this band live three times and type cast as the world’s most dangerous song is Gimme Shelter off Let It Bleed (1969) during Woodstock era. One of their most memorable tours I’ve seen was for Jagger’s 40th birthday in Bloomington, Indiana 7/26/1975. The stage prop consisted of a giant blow-up penis that Mick enjoyed sliding up and down on for the 20 song “Made in the Shade” set.
They are starting their 2021-2022 world tour in August, if all is well and still kicking. Charlie Watts seems to have some health problems that might have him sitting this one out. The 80 year old drummer is the band’s heartbeat. Without a drummer in any band if it so requires one, there is no band. And if Mick dies there is no Rolling Stones. Leave no stones unturned.
