Fifty years ago this week, a band called the Rollin' Stones played their first gig.....

The Guardian: "Start it up: the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones' first gig"

"Fifty years ago this week, a nervous band called the Rollin' Stones played their first gig – to a bemused crowd of jazz fans. ........
.....A sober-suited crowd of about 80 men and 30 women were on hand to witness the Rolling Stones' first gig. There was a taste among both sexes for shapeless, utility-style clothes, stout shoes and goofy square glasses...."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jul/09/rolling-stones-first-gig-50th?newsfeed=true

Still the greatest Rock n' Roll band on the planet.

Agreed!

"Still the greatest Rock n' Roll band on the planet"

It really all depends on the context. If we're talking about longevity, back catalogue, and their peak period circa sixties/early seventies, then I'd be inclined to agree.

In musical terms, there were far better "technicians" in many other bands although Brian Jones was highly underrated and Bill Wyman reckoned that he was more talented than the rest of them put together. Sadly, he was one of the early rock and roll casualties.

In recent years, they could still put on a great show(I know, I was there more than once) but it was more of an event or "spectacle". Also, a commercial enterprise.

Anyway, lets's remember their first hit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV62UcqbcQA&feature=related

What I love about the Stones is that they were met with, "That shouldn't be allowed, it's a disgrace", and here they are 50 years later and they are still met with a similar disapproval from many quarters.

That's about as Rock'n'Roll as it gets, I reckon.

The Mick Taylor period is just brilliant - "Sway" is a perfect rock song.

Are Google Ads having a joke? Putting an ad for funeral directors over that track that JAJ posted? Come on!

One of my favourites, as I lived in Stepney when it came out - "Play with Fire" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu14ewMQFhE

"What a drag it is getting old......"

Not for The Stones, it seems. Apparently, a great show and (according to some) even worth the money.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2012/nov/26/rolling-stones-50-anniversary-fans-reaction?intcmp=239

And a plethora of TV programmes about them over this last weekend for the cheaper option!
Saw them live in London in 1964 at Wembley indoor arena at the University of London Rag Ball: they had already risen hugely in popularity from the time they were booked to the date of the event so were enclosed in a boxing ring in the middle of the arena for their own safety from all those respectable university students!

I'm just working my way through the TV programmes I recorded. I'm struck by how dangerous the establishment thought they were. They got Elvis sorted pretty sharpish, the Beatles were never really threatening and later on all the "rebellious" pop got co-opted and commercialised out of harms way before anybody really had to worry. But they just had to wait until the Stones slowed down.

And the Keith Richards/Mick Taylor combination has to be one of the greatest musical partnerships ever.

Even the best of us just want to mess around with the guitar while everyone else are listening to Bill Clinton.