The Rolling Stones: Did You Know?
The Rolling Stones: Fun Facts & Untold Stories from Rock 'n' Roll's Legendary Band
The Rolling Stones are more than just a band—they are a rock 'n' roll institution. With a career spanning six decades, they’ve become synonymous with the rebellious spirit of rock music. While their hits like “Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” and “Start Me Up” are well-known around the world, there are countless lesser-known stories and fun facts that add to the mystique of this iconic group. Here are some surprising tales and tidbits that even the most dedicated Stones fans might not know.
1. A Teenage Mick Jagger’s Chance Meeting
The story of The Rolling Stones begins with a chance encounter between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards at a train station in Dartford, England, in 1961. Both were teenagers at the time, and Jagger was carrying some blues records under his arm. Keith recognized the albums and struck up a conversation. It turned out they shared a mutual love for American blues and R&B music—a moment that would lead to the formation of one of the greatest rock bands in history.
Fun Fact: Before the fateful meeting, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had actually been schoolmates in primary school but lost touch until that day at the train station. Their reunion was the spark that ignited the Rolling Stones.
2. The Band’s Original Leader Wasn’t Mick or Keith
In the early days of the band, it wasn’t Mick Jagger or Keith Richards who was the de facto leader—it was Brian Jones. As the founding member of the band, Jones named the group after the Muddy Waters song "Rollin' Stone" and played a significant role in shaping their sound. He was a multi-instrumentalist and added unique elements to the band’s music, including playing the sitar on "Paint It Black."
Fun Fact: Brian Jones was so instrumental to the band that in the early days, they were sometimes billed as "Brian Jones and the Rollin' Stones." His leadership role diminished as Mick and Keith began to take the reins creatively.
3. Their First Manager’s Odd Strategy
When The Rolling Stones were first starting out, they were managed by Andrew Loog Oldham, who had previously worked with The Beatles. Oldham took a different approach to promoting the Stones. While The Beatles were marketed as the clean-cut "good guys," Oldham positioned The Rolling Stones as the rebellious "bad boys" of rock. He even coined the phrase “Would you let your daughter marry a Rolling Stone?” to play up their dangerous image.
Fun Fact: Oldham’s strategy was so effective that it became a defining part of the band’s identity. The Stones leaned into their “bad boy” persona, which helped them stand out from other bands of the era and attract a devoted fan base.
4. The Infamous Redlands Raid
In 1967, the Rolling Stones were at the center of one of the most infamous drug busts in rock history. The police raided Keith Richards’ home, Redlands, where the band and their friends were having a party. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and art dealer Robert Fraser were arrested on drug charges. The raid and subsequent trial were highly publicized, making the band even more notorious.
Fun Fact: One of the enduring legends from the raid is that Marianne Faithfull, who was dating Jagger at the time, was found wrapped in a fur rug. The press had a field day with the story, and it only added to the band’s rebellious image.
5. The Album Cover That Was Too Risqué
The Rolling Stones have always been known for pushing boundaries, and that includes their album covers. The original cover for their 1968 album Beggars Banquet featured a graffiti-covered toilet wall. However, the record label deemed the image too controversial and refused to release it. The band reluctantly agreed to replace it with a more subdued cover featuring a simple white invitation card.
Fun Fact: In 2002, when Beggars Banquet was reissued, the band restored the original cover art. It’s now one of the most iconic album covers in rock history.
6. The Secret Behind “Sympathy for the Devil”
“Sympathy for the Devil” is one of The Rolling Stones’ most famous and controversial songs, known for its provocative lyrics and samba rhythm. The song was written by Mick Jagger, who was inspired by a book he was reading at the time: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, which deals with the Devil visiting Soviet Russia. The song’s ominous tone and themes of power, war, and corruption shocked listeners, but it became an instant classic.
Fun Fact: The song’s recording was documented by French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard in his 1968 film One Plus One. The footage shows the band experimenting with different arrangements, with Keith Richards switching from bass to guitar and the band gradually building the song into the masterpiece it became.
7. The Unlikely Origins of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” is a staple of The Rolling Stones’ catalog, but its origins are surprisingly humble. The song was written by Mick Jagger in his London flat, using an acoustic guitar. The song’s gospel-like choir, provided by the London Bach Choir, was added later to give it its iconic sound.
Fun Fact: The choir initially refused to sing the line “You can’t always get what you want” because they thought it was too “negative.” They were eventually convinced, and the song went on to become one of the band’s most beloved tracks.
8. Keith Richards’ Unusual Sleep Schedule
Keith Richards is famous not only for his guitar riffs but also for his unconventional lifestyle. One of the most curious aspects of his life is his sleep schedule—or lack thereof. Richards claims to have gone days without sleep during the height of the Stones’ fame, using the time to write and play music. He has said that some of his best riffs came to him during these sleepless nights, including the one for “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
Fun Fact: Keith Richards once fell asleep while playing guitar and woke up to find that he had recorded the iconic riff for “Satisfaction” on his tape recorder, along with 40 minutes of snoring!
The Enduring Legacy of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are more than just a band—they are a cultural phenomenon that has shaped the course of rock music. From their rebellious beginnings to their continued influence today, their story is filled with fascinating tales, unexpected twists, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what music can be.
For aspiring musicians, The Rolling Stones’ career offers valuable lessons in creativity, resilience, and the importance of staying true to your identity. Whether it’s their willingness to take risks, their dedication to their craft, or their ability to reinvent themselves while staying connected to their roots, there’s much to learn from the legendary Rolling Stones. So, next time you listen to “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” or “Gimme Shelter,” remember the stories behind the songs and the incredible journey of the band that created them.
One of the most iconic and frequently quoted lines from The Rolling Stones comes from their song "You Can't Always Get What You Want":
"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."
This quote encapsulates the band's philosophy and has resonated with fans for decades, reflecting a universal truth about life’s expectations and outcomes. It’s a line that captures the essence of the human experience and has become one of the most memorable lyrics in rock history.