World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band

Today in Music History: October 26, 1962

If you had to select one band to compare with the Beatles, which band would that be? You may or may not have a preference. One, in your eyes, might outshine the other simply because of the differences in styles of music. Then, it is totally possible both are at the top of your list since they crossed paths on the charts nearly 50 years ago. The most prominent argument identifies one as a pop group and the other a rock band. The spotlight today is not on the Beatles but...

The Rolling Stones The highest earning rock band in history, The Rolling Stones' concerts have grossed over $750 million. July 12, 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones’ first gig—making them, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the record holders for rock-band longevity. Through their five decades as a band, no one has yet stripped the Rolling Stones of their title as The World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band. The Rolling Stones logo is very eye-catching and has gained extreme popularity all over the world. Hence it is classified among the most instantly recognized logos ever created.

Why the "Red Tongue" logo?

The famous tongue logo was inspired by the Indian Hindu goddess Kali The Destroyer. It was designed by John Pasche, who was a student at the Royal College of Art in London when he got a gig designing a poster for The Stones 1970 European tour. Mick Jagger was wowed by the poster, so he asked Pasche to create a logo for their new record label. Jagger suggested Kali as a starting point, and Pasche incorporated Mick's mouth into the design. The logo first appeared on the inner sleeve of the Sticky Fingers album. The cover of that album was designed by Andy Warhol, who is sometimes mistakenly credited with creating the lips logo.

From then...

'Til now...

The Stones...

Mick Jagger (vocals; born July 26, 1943); Keith Richards (guitar, vocals; born December 18, 1943); Ian Stewart (piano; born July 18, 1938, died December 12, 1985); Charlie Watts (drums; born June 2, 1941); Bill Wyman (bass; born October 24, 1936); Brian Jones (guitar, vocals; born February 28, 1942, died July 3, 1969); Mick Taylor (guitar; born January 17, 1949); Ron Wood (guitar, vocals; born June 1, 1947)

 "It's a noise we make. That's all. You could be kind and call it music." ~Mick Jaggar

1962 The Rolling Stones, (known as The Rollin' Stones), and consisting of Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, pianist Ian Stewart and drummer Tony Chapman recorded their first demo tape at Curly Clayton Studios in Highbury, London. They recorded three songs, Jimmy Reed's 'Close Together', Bo Diddley's 'You Cant Judge A Book By The Cover' and Muddy Waters' 'Soon Forgotten'.

"When you are growing up there are 2 institutional places that effect you most powerfully; the church, which belongs to God, & the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is a great equaliser" ~Keith Richards (who is widely rumored to have an extensive library & be a avid reader)

• The Rolling Stones don't go on tour without their snooker table. In addition, the rock stars asked for video games and a ping pong table in their USA '97-'98 rider. For the 2005 "A Bigger Bang" tour the band has dropped video games for watching cricket on satellite or cable TV. The latter rider also reveals what names the rock singers give to their dressing rooms backstage: Mick Jagger's is "Workout," Charlie Watts has "Cotton Club," Ron Wood is in "Recovery" and Keith has "Camp X-Ray."
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  Their long hair was considered outrageous in 1963. They took out a Christmas ad in a paper saying "Best wishes to all the starving hairdressers and their families."
• The Rolling Stones are named after Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone Blues." Blues artists like Waters had a strong influence on The Stones.

"We were never going to stop even if they told us to." ~Brian Jones

On July 3, 1969, Brian Jones was found at the bottom of his swimming pool at his home in Hartfield, East Sussex, England. The death was ruled an accident. He remains Forever 27.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...