rolling stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Their early mission was to share an enthusiasm for rhythm and blues, but they were received as symbols and leaders of rebellious youth. The first settled line-up had Brian Jones on guitar and harmonica, Ian Stewart on piano, Mick Jagger on lead vocals and harmonica, Keith Richards on guitar and backing vocals, Bill Wyman on bass and Charlie Watts on drums. Jones founded and led the band, but after teaming as co-writers Jagger and Richards assumed leadership. Jones' increasing physical and mental troubles forced his departure from the band two weeks prior to his death by drowning in 1969. Since Wyman left in 1993, the full band members have been Jagger, Richards, Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined in 1975 replacing Jones' successor Mick Taylor.

The Rolling Stones were in the vanguard of the British Invasion of English bands that became popular in the US from 1964–65. They were also instrumental in making blues a major part of rock and roll, and of changing the international focus of blues culture away from the cosmopolitan blues preferred by most African-Americans to the more primitive blues typified by John Lee Hooker and by Chess Records artists such as Muddy Waters, writer of "Rollin' Stone", the song after which the band is named. Robert Palmer said the Rolling Stones' "remarkable endurance" stems from being "rooted in traditional verities, in rhythm-and-blues and soul music" while "more ephemeral pop fashions have come and gone".

top hits:

• “Sweet Virginia”
• “Satisfaction”
• “I Know It’s Only Rock N Roll (But I Like It)”
• “Shattered”
• “Jigsaw Puzzle”
• “Mother’s Little Helper”