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Written by By: Antoine Brown
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In the early 1960s, the music industry was taken by storm by a group of five people. Up until now, this group is still making waves in the music world.
The combination of Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards with Ian Stewart on the piano, Charlie Watts on the drums and Bill Wayman formed a group known as Rolling Stones. To date, the Rolling Stones have released 55 albums with 200 million albums sold worldwide to their credit.
What are the reasons for the Rolling Stones' popularity?
* In the 70s, pop music was the fashionable and popular musical genre. The Rolling Stones changed this with their classical fusion of Rock and Blues taking the music world by storm. As such, they are credited for revolutionizing the music industry at that time.
* Its lead vocalist, Mick Jagger, has sang in many albums that were worldwide hits, with the first being released in the summer of 1963 (this was Berry's "Come on"). The Rolling Stones first began their musical career with a gig at the Marquee Club in London in 1962.
* Rolling Stones members as a general rule lasted with the group for at least two decades or so. A case in point is Keith Richards, who was the group's lead guitarist and provided backing vocals for Mick Jagger. He started in 1963 and is around up to now.
* Keith still plays guitar and provides back-up vocals for Mick. Long term relationships such as this have made it possible for the Rolling Stones keep their musical style over time.
Who make up the Rolling Stones?
Obviously, the list cannot start without the mention of Mick Jagger who has been at the heart of every Rolling Stones concert with his vocals. Keith Richards, who is the guitarist of the band and also provides backing vocals is also worth mention as he has been associated with the band for more than 45 years now.
Completing the group are Ron Wood (handling guitar, pedal steel and lap steel) and Charlie Watts (handling drums and percussion). These two complete what is called the Big Four. The Big Four has stuck around for the last 33 years of the musical history of the popular musical group.
The class line-up of the big four may be one of the major reasons for their concert successes. The Rolling Stones exude an enduring magnetism that still is able to draw massive and frenetic crowds to their concerts.
By: Antoine Brown
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