It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, But I Like It!

50 years of sex, drugs and unbelievable rock & roll...Happy Birthday to The Rolling Stones!

The original line up. Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith (Keef) Richards, Bill Wyman & Charlie Watts.

What an amazing 50 years it has been in music. I know I am for too young to be using the phrase, 'they don't make them like that anymore' but man alive! They DON'T make them like that anymore. 

How many bands that started off in the early 1960s with nothing but raw talent, arrogance and an ambitious drive would plan on still being together half a century later. Not without their scandalous controversies over the years and not having a top 20 hit since the 1980s, The Rolling Stones have never not been popular since their first number one.

It was through my love for The Beatles at an early age that I discovered The Rolling Stones. They were the same but different. Both from England, only opposite ends. Both managed to do excellent covers versions of classic rock n roll hits of the 50s and wrote their own music. Both had sex appeal, teenage girls swooned over them.  Both were electrifying to watch perform live. And most importantly, both have managed to remain popular with people of all ages. The crucial difference of course being the band set up. The Beatles were four individual members who shared the lime light with no appointed leader of the band, every girl had their favourite Beatle. The Rolling Stones had Mick Jagger; a smouldering snake hipped go getter who led the band to the top and made them stand out in the crowd. One of the greatest front men of a band ever! His loud and imperfect voice spoke for an entire generation. His partnership with Keith Richards gave us classic tunes such as: 19th Nervous Breakdown, Brown Sugar, Jumpin' Jack Flash, She's a Rainbow, Miss You, Paint It Black, Honky Tonk Woman, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Let's Spend the Night Together, It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, and my personal favourite The Last Time.

The Rolling Stones were cool and dangerous. Their legendary stories have passed into Rock 'n' Roll history and folklore (a great story involving a drugs bust, Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithfull and a Mars Bar). But they have also seen some tragedies on the way. In 1969, founding member Brian Jones died (suspiciously) when he drowned in his swimming pool at the age of 27 (thus making him a founding member of the infamous 27 Club). Despite this, they carried on. A few new guys here and there (most notable Ronnie Wood) but the main interest still lies with the three original and surviving members of the group: Mick Jagger, the accountant  who'll shag your sister when you're not looking. Keef Richards, the walking chemistry set who should have died about 20 years ago but he's still doing fine. And dear old Charlie Watts who's been drumming for over 50 years now and still doesn't have a clue where he is. 

I've loved them since I was a kid and I know I always will. They are the band everyone wants to be in. I've never seen them perform live but I hope I do one day. They'll keep playing until they are fucking dead, i'm sure of it. 

Charlie, Keef, Mick & Ronnie. Combined age = 272

Keep on rocking, guys!