The Rolling Stones Timeline

The Rolling Stones 38

1941 – 2021 Charlie Watts The Rolling Stones' drummer for 58 years Charlie Watts (June 2, 1941 – August 24, 2021) was the drummer and a co-founder of the Rolling Stones. Known for his understated jazz-influenced style, he was the heartbeat of the band for 58 years. He died peacefully in London on August 24, 2021, aged 80.
1962 First Rolling Stones gig Marquee Club, London — July 12, 1962 The Rolling Stones played their first gig billed as "the Rollin' Stones" at the Marquee Club in London on July 12, 1962. The classic lineup — Jagger, Richards, Jones, Wyman and Watts — was complete by February 1963.
1963 Come On — debut single First single released July 7, 1963 "Come On" was the Rolling Stones' debut single, released on July 7, 1963 on Decca Records. It reached number 21 on the UK charts. Their manager Andrew Loog Oldham had secured them a deal with Decca — the label that had famously rejected the Beatles.
1964 The Rolling Stones Debut album — April 17, 1964 The Rolling Stones' self-titled debut album was released on April 17, 1964 in the UK, reaching number 1. Largely covers of American R&B and blues, it established their raw, dangerous sound in contrast to the Beatles' more polished image.
1964 Rolling Stones on Ed Sullivan American TV breakthrough — October 25, 1964 The Rolling Stones made their first major appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on October 25, 1964, performing "Around and Around" and "Time Is On My Side". It launched their American career and cemented their status as a genuine threat to the Beatles' dominance.
1965 The Rolling Stones No. 2 Second UK album — January 15, 1965 The Rolling Stones No. 2, released on January 15, 1965, went straight to number 1 in the UK. Recorded during their first US tour, it showed growing confidence and included their first Jagger-Richards originals alongside R&B covers.
1965 Satisfaction reaches number one First US number one — August 20, 1965 "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" reached number one in the US on August 20, 1965. Written by Jagger and Richards, the guitar riff came to Keith in a dream at a Holiday Inn in Clearwater, Florida. He taped it on a cassette recorder and went back to sleep. It became one of the most recognisable songs in rock history.
1965 Out of Our Heads Third UK album — September 24, 1965 Out of Our Heads was released on September 24, 1965 in the UK, reaching number 2. It included "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — their first US number 1 and one of the most recognisable rock songs ever written.
1966 Aftermath Fourth UK album — April 15, 1966 Aftermath, released on April 15, 1966, was the first Rolling Stones album composed entirely of original Jagger-Richards songs. It reached number 1 in the UK and number 2 in the US, and marked a major artistic leap forward.
1967 Between the Buttons Fifth UK album — January 20, 1967 Between the Buttons, released on January 20, 1967, showed the band experimenting with psychedelia and music hall. It reached number 3 in both the UK and US, though it has been seen as a transitional album.
1967 Redlands drug bust Police raid Keith Richards' home — February 12, 1967 On February 12, 1967, 18 police officers raided Keith Richards' Redlands estate in Sussex following a tip-off from the News of the World. Mick Jagger was charged with drug possession, Richards with allowing cannabis smoking on his premises. Both were briefly jailed in June 1967 before their sentences were overturned after a public outcry led by The Times editor William Rees-Mogg.
1967 Their Satanic Majesties Request Sixth album — December 8, 1967 Their Satanic Majesties Request was released on December 8, 1967, the Stones' psychedelic answer to Sgt. Pepper. It divided critics but reached number 3 in both UK and US. The band later distanced themselves from it.
1968 Beggars Banquet Seventh album — December 6, 1968 Beggars Banquet, released on December 6, 1968, marked the Stones' return to blues roots after their psychedelic experiment. It included "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man" — widely considered the beginning of their classic period.
1969 Brian Jones dies Found dead in swimming pool — July 3, 1969 Brian Jones, founding member of the Rolling Stones, was found dead in his swimming pool at Cotchford Farm on July 3, 1969, aged 27. He had already been dismissed from the band. His death remains controversial. Jones was replaced by Mick Taylor.
1969 Hyde Park free concert Tribute to Brian Jones — July 5, 1969 Two days after Brian Jones' death, the Rolling Stones played a free concert at Hyde Park on July 5, 1969, before an estimated 250,000–500,000 people — the largest crowd in the park's history. Jagger read from Shelley's Adonais as a tribute to Jones. It was the live debut of new guitarist Mick Taylor.
1969 Let It Bleed Eighth album — November 28, 1969 Let It Bleed was released on November 28, 1969 — days after Brian Jones' death and Altamont. Dark and apocalyptic, it included "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Widely considered one of their finest.
1969 Altamont concert tragedy Murder at free concert — December 6, 1969 At the free Altamont Speedway Concert on December 6, 1969, Hells Angels hired as security stabbed and killed Meredith Hunter in front of the stage during the Stones' set. The event was captured on film in Gimme Shelter and is seen as marking the end of the 1960s idealism.
1971 Sticky Fingers Ninth album — April 23, 1971 Sticky Fingers, released on April 23, 1971, was the first album on their own Rolling Stones Records label. The Andy Warhol-designed cover with a real zip became iconic. The album reached number 1 on both sides of the Atlantic.
1972 Exile on Main St. Tenth album — May 26, 1972 Exile on Main St. was released on May 26, 1972, recorded in the basement of Keith Richards' villa in the south of France while the band were tax exiles. Initially received mixed reviews, it is now widely regarded as their masterpiece and one of the greatest rock albums ever made.
1973 Goats Head Soup Eleventh album — August 31, 1973 Goats Head Soup, released on August 31, 1973, was recorded in Jamaica. It reached number 1 in both UK and US and included the ballad "Angie", their first UK number 1 single since 1969.
1974 It's Only Rock 'n Roll Twelfth album — October 18, 1974 It's Only Rock 'n Roll was released on October 18, 1974. Mick Taylor's final album with the band before his departure in December 1974. Ron Wood of the Faces contributed to the title track, presaging his eventual permanent role.
1975 Ron Wood joins the Stones Replaces Mick Taylor as lead guitarist — 1975 Ron Wood of the Faces joined the Rolling Stones in 1975 as lead guitarist, replacing Mick Taylor who had left in December 1974. Wood had previously worked with Rod Stewart and the Faces and has remained with the Stones ever since.
1976 Black and Blue Thirteenth album — April 23, 1976 Black and Blue, released on April 23, 1976, was the first album to feature Ron Wood alongside guest guitarists auditioning for the lead guitar position. It reached number 1 in the US and number 2 in the UK.
1978 Some Girls Fourteenth album — June 9, 1978 Some Girls was released on June 9, 1978, the Stones' response to punk and disco. Their biggest commercial success, it reached number 1 in the US and number 2 in the UK. It included "Miss You" and "Beast of Burden".
1980 Emotional Rescue Fifteenth album — June 23, 1980 Emotional Rescue, released on June 23, 1980, reached number 1 in both UK and US. Recorded in sessions that also produced much of Tattoo You, it showed the band embracing disco and funk influences.
1981 Tattoo You Sixteenth album — August 24, 1981 Tattoo You, released on August 24, 1981, spent nine weeks at number 1 in the US and reached number 2 in the UK. Largely assembled from outtakes from previous sessions, it included "Start Me Up" — one of their most enduring anthems.
1983 Undercover Seventeenth album — November 7, 1983 Undercover was released on November 7, 1983, showing the Stones experimenting with new wave and funk. It reached number 3 in both UK and US. The video for the title track was famously violent and banned by several TV channels.
1986 Dirty Work Eighteenth album — March 24, 1986 Dirty Work was released on March 24, 1986 during a period of severe tension between Jagger and Richards. Mick Jagger refused to tour in support of the album, nearly breaking the band apart permanently.
1989 Rolling Stones inducted into Rock Hall of Fame Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — January 18, 1989 The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 18, 1989, in their first year of eligibility. Pete Townshend of The Who gave the induction speech.
1989 Steel Wheels Nineteenth album — August 29, 1989 Steel Wheels, released on August 29, 1989, was widely seen as a comeback album after the Jagger-Richards rift. It reached number 2 in the UK and US and was followed by their most successful tour to date.
1993 Bill Wyman leaves the Stones Founding bassist departs — January 1993 Bill Wyman officially announced his departure from the Rolling Stones in January 1993 after more than 30 years as the band's bassist. He had privately decided to leave during the Steel Wheels tour in 1989. Darryl Jones became their regular touring bassist.
1993 Voodoo Lounge Twentieth album — July 11, 1994 Voodoo Lounge was released on July 11, 1994, the first album without founding bassist Bill Wyman who had retired in 1993. It won a Grammy for Best Rock Album and reached number 1 in the UK.
1997 Bridges to Babylon Twenty-first album — September 29, 1997 Bridges to Babylon was released on September 29, 1997. Produced in part by the Dust Brothers and Rob Trujillo, it reached number 1 in the UK and number 3 in the US.
2005 – 2007 A Bigger Bang Tour Highest-grossing concert tour in history — 2005 to 2007 The A Bigger Bang Tour (2005–2007) grossed $558 million from 147 shows, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour in history at the time, surpassing their own previous record. It was the last major tour with Charlie Watts.
2005 A Bigger Bang Twenty-second album — September 6, 2005 A Bigger Bang was released on September 6, 2005, their first studio album in eight years. Stripped back to a guitar-based sound, it reached number 2 in the UK. The supporting tour became the highest-grossing concert tour in history at the time.
2016 Blue & Lonesome Twenty-third album — December 2, 2016 Blue & Lonesome was released on December 2, 2016, a pure electric blues covers album recorded in just three days. It won the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album and reached number 1 in the UK.
2021 Charlie Watts dies Drummer dies peacefully aged 80 — August 24, 2021 Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones' drummer since 1963, died peacefully in London on August 24, 2021, aged 80, surrounded by his family. His death shocked the music world. Steve Jordan replaced him on the Hackney Diamonds tour.
2023 Hackney Diamonds Twenty-fourth album — October 20, 2023 Hackney Diamonds was released on October 20, 2023 — their first album of original material in 18 years and first without Charlie Watts. It debuted at number 1 in the UK and featured Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga and Elton John as guests. It includes the final recordings Charlie Watts made with the band.