The Early Years Of The Rolling Stones
In April of 1962, the Rolling Stones was formed in England with the initial line up composed of: Brian Jones (guitar and harmonica), Mick Jagger (vocalist), Keith Richards (guitar), and Ian Stewart (pianist). They are now considered one of the greatest rock bands in history. But they did not start as rock musicians, but more of a rhythm and blues group. They were content with playing rhythm and blues music as well as playing cover songs. But the true Rolling Stones music emerged when they started to write their own songs, particularly because of the songwriting duo of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.
The group's early history.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were friends way back in the 1950s and they shared the same passion for rock music especially for Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters music. They soon met with Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, and Charlie Watts. The group then decided to play blues music together and would practice with the intention of starting their own rhythm and blues band.
Muddy Waters had a clear influence on the band, not only with the Rolling Stones music, but most especially with their names. As claimed by Keith Richards, it was Brian Jones who thought of the band's name. Jones was on the phone placing an advertisement for the band on a magazine. When he was asked what was the name of the band, Jones noticed the Muddy Waters LP near him and picked the song "Rolling Stone".
Two major forces contributed to the early success of the Rolling Stones. The first one is the stepping in of Andrew Loog Oldham as the band's manager and producer in 1963. He was credited for giving the band its bad boy image as a complete reversal of the good boy image of The Beatles who were enjoying tremendous success in the 60s.
He also got the band's first record deal with Decca Records who gave them favorable terms. It was said because of the guilt that the executives of Decca felt at that time for passing on The Beatles. As a result, the Rolling Stones got better royalty rates and more artistic freedom for their songs and albums. And soon afterward, Rolling Stones merch were starting to come out for the benefit of the growing number of fans.
The other major force that happened to the band was when Keith Richards and Mick Jagger started to write songs together. Oldham insisted on the band writing their own songs, in a way to duplicate what the Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership had achieved.
Some band members have also come and gone but the most controversial would be that of Brian Jones. It was said that he felt he was slowly being left out from the band that he started. Jones drowned in his own pool in 1969.
While more significant things happened to the band, it is often the early years that are considered the most important in every legend's history. Because it was the time when their music and personalities were formed.
Fans today and still showing their support through the songs that the Rolling Stones have released, the albums, the concerts and the band merch. It only means the band's influence continuously span throughout the decades.