The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones is an English rock band formed in London in April 1962 by guitarist and harmonica player Brian Jones, pianist Ian Stewart, vocalist Mick Jagger, and guitarist Keith Richards. Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early lineup. The band's early material was dominated by rhythm and blues cover songs, and they are known for raising international regard for the more primitive blues typified by Chess Records artists such as Muddy Waters. The Rolling Stones, named after Muddy Waters' song "Rollin' Stone," have played rock and roll from the start and have written and recorded in many genres.

Though Jones initially led the band, Jagger and Richards took over after teaming as the band's songwriters. By 1969, Jones contributed minimally to recording and was in failing health. By mutual agreement, Jones left the band, and Mick Taylor became his replacement. Weeks after leaving the band, Jones drowned. Taylor left in 1974 and was replaced by Ronnie Wood. Wyman left in 1990, and his replacement Darryl Jones became the primary bassist, but he is not a full member. In 2021, drummer Charlie Watts passed away and was replaced by Steve Jordan. Stewart was taken from the official lineup in 1963 to continue as the band's road manager and occasional keyboardist until his death in 1985. Chuck Leavell has been the primary keyboardist for the band.

After gaining popularity in Europe, The Rolling Stones became successful in North America during the so-called British Invasion of the mid-1960s. They have released 22 studio albums in the United Kingdom (24 in the United States), eight concert albums (nine in the US), and numerous compilations. Their estimated record sales exceed 250 million, ranking them among the best-selling music artists of all time. Beginning with "Sticky Fingers" in 1971, the band had a string of eight consecutive studio albums, reaching number one in the United States. Their most recent album of entirely new material, "Hackney Diamonds," was released in 2023 and became their fourteenth UK number-one album. The album won Best Rock Album at the 67th Grammy Awards. In 1989, the Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2004, they were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame. They also received three Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986. In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked the Rolling Stones number ten on "The Billboard Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists" and as the second most successful group in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.