The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones formed in 1962 in London, rising from the blues clubs to become one of the defining bands of the modern rock era. Core members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote hits together for much of the band's history, while guitarist Brian Jones, drummer Charlie Watts, and bassist Bill Wyman anchored the early lineup. From their blues-rooted covers to swaggering original anthems, the Stones helped spearhead the British Invasion and reshaped what a rock band could be on record and on stage.

As they evolved, their sound fused Chicago blues, R&B, and rock into lean, riff-driven songs with memorable melodies and Jagger’s magnetic frontman energy. Keith Richards’s rhythm-guitar motif—often played with open-tuned, down-pelted riffs—became the backbone of countless classics. The band’s relentless touring, charismatic performances, and the production ingenuity of albums like Beggars Banquet, Exile on Main St., Sticky Fingers, and Some Girls cemented their status as a cultural phenomenon beyond mere hit singles.

With more than 240 million records sold and a career spanning six decades, The Rolling Stones earned induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and countless honors around the world. They’re widely regarded as one of the most influential, best-selling, and longest-running acts in rock history, a testament to their enduring appeal and ability to reinvent themselves while keeping their unmistakable groove front and center.