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The Rolling Stones

It's hard to overestimate the importance of the Rolling Stones in rock & roll history. The group, which formed in London in 1962, distilled so much of the music that had come before it and has exerted a decisive influence on so much that has come after. Every album the group released through the early Seventies - from The Rolling Stones in 1964 to Exile on Main Street in 1972 -- is essential not simply to an understanding of the music of that era, but to an understanding of the era itself. Though the Stones were not overtly political in their early years, their obsession with African American music - from Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf to Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye and Don Covay - struck a chord that resonated with the goals of the civil rights movement. Soon, of course, the Stones - singer Mick Jagger, guitarists Keith Richards and Brian Jones, bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts, in those days - became synonymous with the rebellious attitude of that era. Songs like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," "Street Fighting Man," "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Gimme Shelter" captured the violence, frustration and chaos of that era. For the Stones, the Sixties were not a time of peace and love. The Stones were an indomitable force on the music scene, and they have continued to be to this day. Tattoo You (1981) added the classics "Start Me Up" and "Waiting on a Friend" to the Stones' repertoire, and took its prominent place among the Stones' most compelling - and most popular - later albums. Possibly the most underrated album of the Stones' career, Dirty Work finds the band at its rawest and most rhythmically charged, a reflection of the tumult within the band when it was recorded. True Stones fans have long worn their appreciation of Dirty Work as a hip badge of honor. More significantly, though, the Stones have set a standard for live performance during this time. When the Stones began to be introduced on their 1969 tour as "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World,' they were staking that claim on the basis of their live performances. It was almost fashionable for bands to withdraw from the road at that time - Bob Dylan and the Beatles had both done so. But the Stones set out to prove that writing brilliant songs and making powerful records did not mean that you were too lofty to get up in front of your fans and rock them until their bones rattled. The Stones' live shows - epitomized, of course, by Jagger's galvanizing erotic choreography - had earned the band its reputation in its earliest years, and that flame was being rekindled. And that's the critical misunderstanding of the question, "Is this the last time?" that has been coming up every time the Stones have toured for close to forty years now. It's true that over the decades the Stones have been in the news for many reasons that have little to do with music - arrests, provocative statement, divorces, affairs, all the usual detritus of a raucous lifetime in the public eye. And there's no doubt that Mick Jagger is as famous a celebrity as the world has ever seen. But, for all that, the Stones are best understood as musicians, and their own acceptance of that fact is what has enabled them to carry on so well for so long. For all the tabloid headlines, Mick Jagger is finally an extraordinary lead singer and one of the most riveting performers - in any genre - ever to set foot on a stage. Keith Richards is the propulsive engine that drives the Stones and makes their music instantly recognizable. Ron Wood is a guitarist who has formed a rhythmic brotherhood with Richards, but who also colors and textures the band's songs with deft, melodic touches. And Charlie Watts, needless to say, is one of rock's greatest drummers. He is both the rock that anchors the band, and the force that swings it. At once elegant in their simplicity and soaring in their impact, none of his gestures are wasted, all are necessary. He and Darryl Jones enliven the often-monolithic notion of the rock & roll rhythm section with an irresistible, unpretentious, jazz-derived sophistication. Musicians live and create in the moment, and that's why fans still go see the Stones. Certainly there's also a catalogue of songs that only a handful of artists could rival. Surely there's also the desire to encounter a band that has played a pristine role in defining our very idea of what rock & roll is. But seeing the Rolling Stones live is to see a working band playing as hard as they can, and there's no last time for that. - Anthony DeCurtis

Latest bulletin 12.04.09

Rolling Stones Release 'Wild Horses' EP

Recorded 40 years ago to the date and released nearly two years later on Sticky Fingers, "Wild Horses" has remained a perennial crowd favorite, c...

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Bulletins

Dec 04, 08:34 AM

Rolling Stones Release 'Wild Horses' EP

Recorded 40 years ago to the date and released nearly two years later on Sticky Fingers, "Wild Horses" has remained a perennial crowd favorite, constant cover and critical darling for decades, appearing at #334 on Rolling Stone Magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

Covered perhaps most famously - and recently - by Britain's Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle, the band's own reworking of the song for their 1995 acoustic live album Stripped might just be the definitive one, but we'll leave that decision up to you.

One thing not up for dispute is the hushed excitement that envelops the crowd when the band launches into "Wild Horses" in concert. Those lucky enough to see have seen the band polish this number off and perform it live will know the feeling. Whether you're among the lucky or not, you can experience it with a newly available video of the band performing the haunting song at their 1976 headlining performance at Knebworth Fair. Originally shot for the BBC, but never screened, the video can now be downloaded, along with newly remastered audio of the original song and its live Stripped counterpart on the Wild Horses EP, available exclusively in the UK from iTunes.

Click here to get the Wild Horses EP from iTunes UK today.

The EP is currently not available from iTunes US, but US fans can find the remastered version of "Wild Horses" from Sticky Fingershere and the remastered live version from Strippedhere.
Oct 29, 02:51 PM

'Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!' Box Set Details

November 27th and 28th marks the 40th anniversary of the Rolling Stones concerts at Madison Square Garden that yielded the Rolling Stones' epochal live album, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! In recognition of the occasion, ABKCO Records will release Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set and Super Deluxe Box Set in the U.S. and Canada on November 3rd. Both Box Sets will be released internationally on November 30th.

For the full details on each box set, click here. To purchase your copy, head to the Rolling Stones Store today. Or, check out the Deluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition on Amazon. Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert will also be available at your local retailer beginning November 30.

For a preview of the contents, check out this promo video from ABKCO.
Jul 29 2008, 04:11 PM

Rolling Stones Release 'Shine A Light' on DVD and Blu-ray

The wait is over - Shine A Light is now available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray. Stop by the Rolling Stones official store to pick up your copy today!

Featuring four bonus songs (including a blistering version of "Paint It Black"), a bonus featurette with never-before-seen footage from the Stones' rehearsal at the Beacon, as well as candid moments backstage with the band and celebrity guests, and archival footage not seen in theatres, Shine A Light is bigger and better than ever.

For a taste of what you can expect from the featurette, visit RollingStones.com for a clip of the band rehearsing "Connection," complete with previously unseen archival footage.
Jul 15 2008, 03:15 PM

"Shine A Light" DVD Trailer!

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We figured you'd probably be seeing this on your TV screen anyday now, but we know you Stones fans enjoy seeing the boys whereever you can get 'em!

Of course, this is simply a taste of the "Shine A Light" DVD. Click here to pre-order your copy today from the Rolling Stones Store.

Enjoy!

RollingStones.com
Jul 02 2008, 11:35 AM

The Rolling Stones - Shine A Light Movie Pre-Order

Stones Fans,

Last spring, The Rolling Stones and Academy Award®-winner Martin Scorsese thrilled audiences around the globe with the theatrical release of Shine A Light.

This summer, they'll do it again - in your living room!

On July 29, Shine A Light, the much heralded concert film from the greatest rock band in the world, will be released on Blu-ray and DVD. Featuring four bonus songs not seen in theatres, including a scorching version of "Paint It Black," a featurette with footage from the Stones' rehearsal at the Beacon, candid moments with the band and celebrity guests and even additional archival footage, Shine A Light is bigger and better than ever.

Experience the film called "one of the most thrilling films in years" by Jeffrey Lyons and "a rip-roaring concert documentary" by the New York Times, along with over 45 minutes of bonus material, with your copy of Shine A Light.

Fans can pre-order Shine A Light on Blu-ray and DVD today at The Rolling Stones store, along with Shine A Light t-shirts, key chains, the soundtrack and more. For this special occasion, our friends at the official Rolling Stones store unearthed an amazing Jeff Koons lithograph from the Licks Tour 2002/03 to give away to one lucky fan! Everyone who pre-orders Shine A Light will be eligible to win this very rare 18'' x 39'' lithograph. And did we mention that the lithograph is hand-signed by both Jeff Koons and the Rolling Stones?

But that's not all - starting July 2 and continuing through the end of the holiday weekend, the Rolling Stones store will take off 25% on all merchandise (CDs & DVDs excluded). Celebrate the Fourth by taking a fourth off your order of the latest shirts, hats, mugs, posters and more. Visit the official Rolling Stones store between July 2 and July 6 to get in on the fun.

It doesn't matter how you get it. Once you have it you won't be able to turn it off.

Cheers,
RollingStones.com
Jun 02 2008, 03:28 PM

Rolling Stones Set To Release 'Shine A Light' On Blu-ray And DVD

On July 29, Paramount Home Entertainment will release Shine A Light, the much heralded concert film from Academy Award®-winner Martin Scorsese and The Rolling Stones, on Blu-ray and DVD. Filmed during The Rolling Stones' historic 2006 two-night stand at the legendary Beacon Theatre, Shine A Light thrilled audiences in theatres and IMAX across the map earlier this year before making its debut for the home theatre.

Along with a brand new featurette with a behind-the-scenes look at The Stones rehearsing on stage at New York's Beacon Theater, candid moments with the band and celebrity guests and archival footage not included in the feature film, the Blu-ray and DVD release of Shine A Light will come to viewer's homes with four never-before-seen bonus performances from the historic run, including "Paint It Black," "Little T&A," "I'm Free" and "Undercover of the Night."

Whether you missed Shine A Light in theatres or just want to relive the action from the comfort of your couch, be sure to get your copy of the movie Jeffrey Lyons called "one of the most thrilling films in years" and the New York Times labeled as "a rip-roaring concert documentary."

The Shine A Light DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The Blu-ray disc is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD and English 5.1 DTS Master Audio and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.

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