Well, after 10 years of listening to rock music and 7 years of playing guitar, I finally just discovered The Rolling Stones! I mean, it's not like I was completely ignorant. But I never really thought anything of them because I never heard anything aside from the songs they play on the radio constantly. How could this have happened? Well, my parents are avid Beatles fans. I have every Beatles album, but they just got Rolling Stones greatest hit albums.

But recently, I asked my band (Texas 99) for any song suggestions for a couple of blues gigs coming up. The drummer, who doesn't really listen to any blues, suggested a few songs by The Rolling Stones. So doubting that it could be anything we could play at a blues gig (remember, I've mostly just heard stuff like "Miss You"), I looked the songs up. And here's what I found...



I was definitely not expecting that, so I've been going back and listening to all the songs on the earlier albums. I think I get why Keith Richards shows up a lot in blues articles now! I have way more respect for him as a guitar player now that I've actually listened to him. I can't believed I missed this earlier, but hey, better late than never!

Anyway, we ended up adding several Stones songs to our setlist. And don't tell my parents, but I think I like them more than The Beatles!

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Hi Rebecca,if you want to hear some really good blues,take a listen to the earliest Stones albums from circa 1963-65 .These early albums have the Stones playing the best of Chicago and Mississippi blues with some great harp and slide being played by their leader Brian Jones. Some of the albums are: 12 X 5,England's Newest Hitmakers,Out of Our Heads,The Rolling Stones Now, Aftermath and December's Children. IMHO the Stones played their best blues when Brian was at the reins of the band as he was a blues purist and his original intention was for the band to be an R&B group.

BTW: Although Keith would be the last to admit it,it was Brian Jones who taught him most about the blues and most of the riffs.One thing I have noticed over the years is that as the years go by Mick and Keith downplay Brian's contribution to the Stones more and more even though the Stones was his baby and he was the one who started getting the band together by renting out a space for auditions.Keith's new book doesn't mention any of this and he is trying to rewrite history.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I thought I was over the Stones years ago, how many times can you hear Brown Sugar, Jumpin Jack and Satisfaction on the radio and not switch off immediately?

Then I started listening to Exile on Main St. Like Dylan, that's where the gold is, on the albums. Barely a hit on this one, but Richards reckons it's their best album overall.

Guitslinger is spot on!

The early albums have some great blues cover tracks especially the first album. I love I'm A King Bee and get your kicks on route 66.

In my opinion I think once Brian was kicked out of the band they missed something in their playing for a while. Although Mick Taylor was a great replacement! Although he was an alcoholic and heavy drug user the boy could play and play loads on instruments!! I know others will disagree but its only my opinion.

Enjoy it and I'm glad I'm not the only one discovering great bands/artists!!

Tom

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Fender MIM 1995 Standard Stratocaster
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It was Brian who placed an add in the local paper wanting to start an R&B band. Keith and Mick knew each other from school (Mick's dad was the gym teacher, Mick was a very good athlete) but truly hooked up one day when Keith saw Mick at the bus stop with a few blues albums tucked under his arm. The first time they played on TV they insisted that Howlin' Wolf be on the show AND play first - and they sat at his feet. They really truly love and admire the bluesmen.

If you somehow missed the Stones you probably also missed John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac (early years, Peter Green), Spencer Davis, Faces (Ronnie Woods), lots more.