Monday, April 25, 2011

Meet the Members

Mick Jagger

(Image taken from http://www.philspector.wordpress.com)


Some may call him the face of the Rolling Stones... some may call him egotistical (Keith Richards certainly did)... and some yet may see him as more of a myth than a man. So let this serve as a little glimpse into the man of mystery that is Mick Jagger.

Born on July 26, 1943 in Dartford, England, Mick Phillip Jagger was, from an early age, an American blues fanatic. His favorites? Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. In fact, one can even trace the roots of the Rolling Stones back to a little blues band called "Little Boy Blue and the Blues Boys", which Jagger and good friend and eventual band mate Dick Taylor started.


Jagger would go on to study at the London School of Economics in 1960, where he first began working on a band with old friend Keith Richards (the two knew each other from their Dartford days). By 1963, the early Rolling Stones was formed, consisting of Jagger, Richards, pianist Ian Stewart, drummer Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman (Taylor having left the band).


Jagger eventually would become part of the heart and soul that was the Rolling Stones. As his bio on the Rolling Stones official website reads,
"Mick Jagger is the face and the mouth of The Rolling Stones. It’s him you hear and see first when the band come to eye, ear and mind."
(Image taken from http://www.rollingstones.com/person/mick-jagger)

And now for the scandalous part... By 1967, Jagger's personal life was almost as memorable as his music. He was involved in two drug raids - one in 1967 at Keith Richards's home and then again two years later in his own London home. He was also infamously linked to Anita Pallenberg (girlfriend of Brian Jones and mother of two of Keith Richards's children), Chrissie Shrimpton, Marsha Hunt, Bianca Jagger, Jerry Hall (famous for playing Mrs. Robinson in the musical version of "The Graduate"), and perhaps most notably Marianne Faithful, who was arrested alongside Jagger in both drug incidents. Rolling Stones songs "As Tears Go By", "Sister Morphine", "Wild Horses", and "Let It Bleed" single "You Can't Always Get What You Want" are written about her.

(pictured is Anite Pallenberg and Mick Jagger; Image taken from http://www.rollingstonesnet.com/upclose.html)

(pictured is Jagger with Marianne Faithful; Image taken from http://www.wordpress.com)

By the early 70s, Jagger began to branch out into acting (unsuccessful acting at that) and, later by the mid-80s, a solo career (more successful than his acting). He also dabbled as a film producer in recent years.

Jagger is a father of seven: Karis Hunt Jagger (mother is Marsha Hunt), Jade Sheena Jezebel (mother is Bianca Perez Moreno de Macias), James Leroy Augustin, Gabriel Luke Beauregard, Elizabeth Scarlett and Georgia May Ayeesha (mother is Jerry Hall), and Lucas Maurice Morad (mother is Luciana Gimenez Morad). He has been married twice: to Bianca Perez Moreno de Macias from 1971 to 1980 and Jerry Hall from 1990 to 1999.

"The thing is that the guy's GOOD, man. He can sing."
                                                             - Keith Richards, 1985

Mix talent, a rebellious nature and a natural knack as an entertainer, and you have the potent concoction that is Mick Jagger.

Sources:
http://www.biography.com/articles/Mick-Jagger-9351966?part=0
http://www.rollingstones.com/person/mick-jagger
Keith Richards

 (Image taken from http://www.wordpress.com)

Born December 18, 1943 in Dartford, England into a musical family, Keith Richards, from an early age, had a passion for the guitar. He muses that, as a child, he would practice "getting down his moves" in front of a mirror and names the 'king' of rock and roll Elvis Presley as one of his earliest musical icons. Besides his musical prowess, one can also note from Richards's childhood the same rebellious nature - Richards would be expelled from Dartford Technical School and, even after enrolling at Sidcup Art School, would spend most of his time with friends Dick Taylor and Mick Jagger participating in their band "Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys". Richards, like Jagger and Taylor, began to find influence in the American blues, especially in the legendary Chuch Barry who would serve as an inspiration for Richards.

Richards became an integral part of the Rolling Stones alongside Jagger even in its earliest days. As the band began to expand, Richards and Jagger emerged as a talented and masterful songwriting duo. They were called 'the bad boys of rock and roll' and even the "Glimmer Twins", and their fan base was extensive.

 (Image taken from http://www.rollingstones.com/person/keith-richards)

Like Jagger, Richards had his share of wild rock and roll behavior, as it was his home in the English countryside that was subject to a drug raid; Richards was tried and convicted alongside Jagger, but the charges were dropped. True to his rebellious nature, subsequent years would be scattered with drug-related incidents and arrests for Richards. By the late 1970s, Richards was severely addicted to heroin and cocaine. He would battle with substance abuse and drug addiction throughout the 70s, culminating in a 1977 arrest for possession in Toronto, leading to increased tension between him and band mate Jagger.

 (Pictured is Mick Jagger (left) and Keith Richards (right); Image taken from Google Images)

Hurt after Jagger's decision to go solo, Richards went to work on his solo career in the late 80s, releasing two albums "Talk is Cheap" (1988) and "Main Offender" (1992). The former, which featured "You Don't Move Me", a song expressing Richards's resentment towards Jagger and his solo efforts, received positive feedback. The feud between Richards and Jagger, lasting throughout the mid-80s, was highly publicized. 
"To me, twenty-five years of integrity went down the drain." [after Jagger released his solo album]
                                                                                              - Keith Richards
In 2006, Richards underwent brain surgery after a fall in Fiji. He made a full recovery, but his condition forced delays in the band's touring schedule. Richards has indicated that he has stopped his drug use as a result of his injury. He has since participated in many public service announcements, imploring younger generations to stay away from drugs.


 
Richards is a father to four children: Marlon and Dandelion (mother is Anita Pallenberg, also linked to Brian Jones and Jagger), and Theodora and Alexandra (mother is Patti Hansen).

If Mick Jagger embodied the glitz and the glamor of rock and roll, then Keith Richards was the loyal backbone - a true rocker, who loved to play and couldn't imagine his life without music.

 (Image taken from Google Images)
"To me, the main thing about living on this planet is to know who the hell you are and be real about it. That's the reason I'm still alive."                                              - Keith Richards

Sources:
http://www.biography.com/articles/Keith-Richards-454710?
http://www.keith-richards.com/bio.htm

Brian Jones

(Image taken fromhttp://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2005-08-05/283023/)
 
Born February 28, 1942 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, Brian Jones, like band mate Keith Richards, had a childhood richly infused with music. By the time he was in high school, he could play the piano, clarinet, saxophone and guitar, which would lead to his decision to drop out of school in favor of playing in local bars.

In 1962, he formed The Rolling Stones, alongside Ian Stewart, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts would soon join the band). Jones is credited with naming the band after the Muddy Waters song "Rollin' Stone". According to Keith Richards, Jones devised the iconic name while on the phone with the venue owner.
"The voice on the other end of the line obviously said, 'What are you called?'. Panic. The Best of Muddy Waters album was lying on the floor - and track one was 'Rollin' Stone Blues'".                                         - Keith Richards , 2003
Serving as band manager, Jones quickly became the 'leader' and main entertainer of the band. He was considered by many the most photogenic of all the band members, and was adopted by the media as the face of The Rolling Stones. His greater salary would lead to early resentments between Jones and the rest of the band.

However, in 1963, the band hired Andrew Loog Oldham as manager, leading to the eventual decline of Brian Jones's leadership. The Rolling Stones expanded and developed their image, growing into the rougher, more rebellious persona that Oldham planned for them. This self-expansion would also lead to the rise of band members Jagger and Richards as the 'leaders' of the band, further diminishing Jones's role in the band.

(Image taken from http://www.actiefront.nl/images/brian_jones.jpg)

By the mid 1960s, Jones grew more and more estranged from his band members, turning further towards drug and alcohol use. He was arrested for usage in May of 1967.

"There were two Brians... one was introverted, shy, sensitive, deep-thinking... the other was a preening peacock, gregarious, artistic, desperately needing assurance from his peers... he pushed every friendship to the limit and way beyond."                                                                           - Wyman

"Let It Bleed" was actually the last project that featured a collaboration between The Rolling Stones and Brian Jones. On June 8, 1969, just after the completion of the album, Brian Jones was asked to leave the band. His replacement was guitarist Mick Taylor, who would work with the band until 1974. He would die a month later on July 3, 1969. Found at the bottom of his swimming pool in Sussex, England, the death of the twenty-seven year old was determined an accident.

(A shot from Jones's funeral; Image taken from http://thehistoryofrockmusic.com/images/brian-jones-funeral.jpg)



Sources:
http://www.biography.com/articles/Brian-Jones-248867
According to the Rolling Stones (Chronicle Books, 2003)
Stone Along, Wyman

 Ian Stewart

Born July 18, 1938 in Pettenweem, Fife, Scotland, Ian Stewart can be considered one of the original, authentic Rolling Stones band members. After answering an advertisement created by Brian Jones calling for musicians, Stewart would join up with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Dick Taylor and of course Brian Jones to begin the legend that is the Rolling Stones.

 (The original Rolling Stones members; Image taken from http://www.wordpress.com/)

However, Stewart never really fit the mega pop star bill. Just as the band was on the cusp of superstardom, band manager Andrew Loog Oldham decided that the older, huskier and more blues-oriented Stewart didn't fit the 'bad boy' image the Rolling Stones were beginning to undertake. By July 1963, Stewart was forced out of the band, but invited to continue playing on their performances and recordings as well as serve as road manager. It was a deal that no one without as big of a heart as Stewart, affectionately referred to as 'Stu' would take. As band mate Keith Richards says,

"Stu had one of the largest hearts around... I think that Stu was bemused by the whole rock'n'roll circus. He enjoyed it without having to be torn apart, sign autographs and go to photo shoots."
                                                                            - Keith Richards

And so 'Stu' stayed. He worked on every album the Rolling Stones created between 1964 and 1983 (with the sole exception of "Beggars Banquet"), including "Let It Bleed". He also was there to load and unload band gear, fix a guitar string or even chauffeur the group around from gig to gig. And as the Rolling Stones skyrocketed to rock and roll legends, Ian Stewart was alongside them the entire time. He was adored by the Rolling Stones, earning their respect and appreciation.
[Asked why he stuck with the band and if he'd do it all again] "I like the music. And yeah, oh sure, I'd do it all again."                             - Ian Stewart, 1980


Stewart's death on December 12, 1985 (heart failure) was a shock and tragedy to the band and to fans. The Stones' 1986 album "Dirty Work" is dedicated to his memory and, so fittingly, when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, they asked that Stewarts's name be included amongst their own. Stu was a truly pioneering and integral member of the band, from its very formation right up to his early death - undisputedly, an authentic Rolling Stone.


Sources:
http://www.rollingstones.com/person/ian-stewart
http://www.biography.com/articles/Ian-Stewart-454714


 
Mick Taylor


(Image taken from http://www.rollingstones.com/people)

Born January 17, 1949 in Wlwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, Michael Kevin Taylor joined the Rolling Stones in 1969 right in time to collaborate on the iconic album "Let It Bleed". Mick, right from the start, was pronounced different. He brought something new to the Stones - his guitar playing wasn't quite like the harmonious chords strung by Keith Richards and Brian Jones. The difference?... As explained on the Rolling Stones official website, Taylor's guitar playing was a thing of "tunes, not tones".

Was Taylor a positive addition to the band? According to the guitarist Richards, apparently not.
"Mick Taylor was not good for the Stones."
                                                                                            - Keith Richards, 1976

Yet, fans might disagree. Taylor was with the Rolling Stones for the greatest period of their career - participating on a string of the Stones' greatest works, among them "Let It Bleed".

"The Mick Taylor period was a creative peak for us. A tremendous jump in musical credibility."
                                                                                            - Charlie Watts

However, all good things must eventually come to an end, and, for Taylor, that end came in 1974. Now married to Rose Millar and father to Chloe, Taylor became increasingly frustrated with the drama surrounding the Rolling Stones and decided, much to the shock of fellow band members, to leave the band. When asked whether he regretted that decision, he responded
"To ask if I regret leaving the Rolling Stones is to ask the wrong question. The hard one to answer is, do I regret joining them?"
                                                                                             - Mick Taylor

(Pictured is Mick Taylor with wife Rose Millar and daughter Chloe; Image taken from http://www.rollingstonesnet.com/upclose.html)

What is without question is that the Rolling Stones without Taylor would just not be the same.

Sources:
http://www.timeisonourside.com/lpIORR.html
http://www.rollingstones.com/person/mick-taylor
http://www.rollingstonesnet.com/upclose.html


Charlie Watts


Born June 2, 1941 in London, England, Charlie Watts had an immediate knack for the drums. Playing with the likes of future band mates Brian Jones and Mick Jagger as well as Eric Clapton and others, Watts participated in various bands such as Alexis Komer's Blues Incorporated. After originally declining to join The Rolling Stones, Watts would eventually accept the band's offer and become one of the original members alongside Jones, Jagger, Richards, Dick Taylor and Ian Stewart in January of 1963. Little did Watts know the magnitude of this decision.
"For me it was just another job offer."       - Charlie Watts

Turns out, Watts would reap the benefits from his change of heart. Just a year later, The Rolling Stones would secure a No. 3 spot on the British pop music charts and, a year after that, the band landed a No. 1 hit in the United States. He would go on to enjoy two decades of success and fame with the band.

Today, Watts remains a loyal and committed member of the legendary Rolling Stones. He maintains that he will continue with the band until the point when Richards and Jagger retire at which time, according to Watts, The Rolling Stones would no longer be The Rolling Stones. Yet, Richards and Jagger don't really share this opinion. Calling him the 'heartbeat' of the band, they assert that Watts's role in the band is pivotal.



     "Charlie's always there, but he doesn't want to let everybody know. There's very few drummers like that. Everybody thinks Mick and Keith are the Rolling Stones. If Charlie wasn't doing what he's doing on the drums, that wouldn't be true at all. You'd find out that Charlie Watts IS the Stones."                         - Keith Richards

Sources:
http://www.rollingstones.com/person/charlie-watts
http://www.biography.com/articles/Charlie-Watts-454722


Bill Wyman


(Image taken from http://.blogspot.com/)
Born October 24, 1936 in Lewishman, Kent, Bill Wyman would later become one of the five founding members of The Rolling Stones. Once a member of the British Armed Forces, Wyman auditioned for the Stones, and got the gig, working with Jagger, Jones, Richards and Watts to release the first Stones album in 1964. He would continue to play with The Rolling Stones throughout their successful run of the 70s and 80s, until he left the band in 1992.


While playing with The Rolling Stones, Wyman always seemed a bit different than the rest of the members. Wyman, regardless of how essential his contribution to the Stones' sound was, was always separated from the rest of the group. Slightly older and much more settled (he was a 26-year old married father at the time he first joined the band), he did not relate personally to the 20-year old, 'skinny' student drop outs that made up the The Rolling Stones. However - his sound certainly did. His amplifiers were revolutionary, and The Stones never doubted that no bass player would be quite like Wyman. The collaboration between Watts and Wyman is especially groundbreaking as they created a true rock rhythm that was really unprescedented.
"I wasn't quite the same sort of person as the rest of the Stones. I was a straight working-class type. I thought they were a bunch of layabouts but very dedicated to their music. That I could appreciate, but I couldn't appreciate the way they lives."
                                                                                 - Bill Wyman, 1977

However, in 1992, Wyman made the choice to leave the band in order to pursue other interests. Such interests included a short-lived but critically acclaimed solo career, as well as seven published books and a successful restaurant business.


Clearly, Wyman was a dynamic character, and his contribution to the Stones is unquestionable. He might not have been quite the same performer as peers Jagger and Richards were, but his bass guitar became the steady core of the Stones music.
"Theres probably nobody I've grown to appreciate more over the years than Bill Wyman. Charlie I've always appreciated, and Mick I've known since I was so young I can't even remember. But Bill is someone I've had to grow to appreciate."                            - Keith Richards

Sources:
http://www.biography.com/articles/Bill-Wyman-16242032
http://www.rollingstones.com/person/bill-wyman

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