Is 2012 the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones? Not according to Keith, "The Stones always really considered '63 to be 50 years, because Charlie [Watts] didn't actually join until January, we look upon 2012 as sort of the year of conception, but the birth is next year."
Regardless of nuances of band members joining etc, July 12, 1962 saw the first live performance by The Rolling Stones at the legendary Marquee Club in London where they performed amongst other things, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed and Elmore James covers. Incidentally, the original bill flyer names them as Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones and they supported Long John Baldry's Kansas City Blue Boys. The Rolling Stones lineup for this performance was; Mick Jagger (vox )/Keith Richards (gtr)/ Brian Jones (gtr)/ Ian Stewart (percussion) Dick Taylor (bass)/Tony Chapman (drums). Bill Wyman in his book " Stone Alone" falsely recorded that it was Kinks drummer Mick Avory that drummed with the Stones on July 12 1962, it was actually Tony Chapman as per Mick Avory's admission.
The first gig with the six man lineup of Jagger, Richards, Jones, Wyman, Watts and Stewart was 12 January 1963 at the Ealing Blues Club.
In celebration of the first ever gig in 62, ABC digital radio is broadcasting a special event pop-up station - ABC Stones - over the weekend of July 13 – 15. The event will feature the music that made the group famous and kept them performing as one of the best live acts over the last 50 years.
Here are a few good reasons to tune in;
- ABC Stones is for music fans – whether you're just discovering their amazing back catalogue or whether you were there the first time around.
- ABC Stones will play in-full the band's five major albums, which were released in order between 1968 and 1972 - "Beggars Banquet", "Let it Bleed", "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!", "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile On Main Street", as well as delivering insights into each of these releases and a condensed history of the band.
ABC Stones is on digital radio or streamed online at abc.net.au/digitalradio
Here are the Stones performing Chuck Berry's Back In the USA in 1978. This song was on the setlist from their first gig in 62 at The Marquee.
