Book Review: Parachute Women

The Rolling Stones have long been considered one of the greatest rock-and-roll bands of all time. At the forefront of the British Invasion and heading up the counterculture movement of the 1960s, the Stones' innovative music and iconic performances defined a generation, and fifty years later, they're still performing to sold-out stadiums around the globe. Yet, as the saying goes, behind every great man is a greater woman, and behind these larger-than-life rockstars were four incredible women whose stories have yet to be fully unpacked . . . until now.

In Parachute Women, Elizabeth Winder introduces us to the four women who inspired, styled, wrote for, remixed, and ultimately helped create the legend of the Rolling Stones.

Book Review: Charlie's Good Tonight

Charlie Watts was one of the most decorated musicians in the world, having joined the Rolling Stones, a few months after their formation, early in 1963. A student of jazz drumming, he was headhunted by the band after bumping into them regularly in London’s rhythm and blues clubs. Once installed at the drum seat, he didn’t miss a gig, album or tour in his 60 years in the band. He was there throughout the swinging sixties, the early shot at superstardom and the Stones' world conquest; and throughout the debauchery of the 1970s, typified by 1972's Exile on Main St., considered one of the great albums of the century. By the 1980s, Charlie was battling his own demons, but emerged unscathed to enhance his unparalleled reputation even further over the ensuing decades.

the Rolling Stones - Tattoo You (35th anniversary)

Today (August 24th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Tattoo You, the sixteenth studio album from the Rolling Stones. This 1981 record spent fifty-eight weeks on the US Billboard album chart, nine of which at the number 1 spot.

For my full review, click here.

For more from the Rolling Stones, click here.

The Rolling Stones - Undercover

This week (November 7th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Undercover, the seventeenth studio album from the Rolling Stones. This 1983 release spent twenty three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 4, and eighteen weeks on the UK album charts, peaking at number 3.

The Rolling Stones - Some Girls (35th anniversary)

Today (June 9th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of Some Girls, the Rolling Stones' fourteenth studio album. It charted at number 4 in Austria, number 3 in the Netherlands and Sweden, number 2 in the UK, and number 1 in Canada and on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Click here for my complete album review of this 70's classic.

DVD: Rolling Stones - Some Girls: Live in Texas ‘78

Last month, just in time for a holiday gift idea for that classic rock lover on your list, Eagle Rock released Some Girls Live in Texas ‘78, a concert DVD of the Rolling Stones from their huge 1978 tour. This performance was filmed on July 18th, 1978, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Forth Worth, Texas; it was right about the time that their Some Girls album was peaking at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 charts.

the Rolling Stones - Tattoo You

1981’s Tattoo You was the sixteenth studio album from the Rolling Stones. The record spent twenty weeks on the UK charts with a top position of number 2 and fifty-eight weeks on the US charts including time at the number 1 spot. It went Gold in the UK and four times Platinum in the US. It also went to number 1 in Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The album was ranked number 211 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time list.

Tattoo You built off the band’s successful momentum in the 80’s started by Emotional Rescue. Many of the songs culled for this record came from outtakes from earlier recording sessions.

The Rolling Stones - Some Girls

Welcome to Seventies Saturday.

This week, I've picked the Rolling Stones and their 1978 album Some Girls to kick things off (which was released on June 9th). Now, this is not one I had on vinyl myself, but I heard it plenty thanks to my older brother who was a huge Rolling Stones fan. He played this one often on his turn-table in his room as well as having a cassette recording of the tracks to play in his car. I remember too how the inside sleeve slid into the outer album jacket, allowing you to align different images of Mick and the band members with wigs for funny combinations. That's not something you get when you have the CD version. As for the music, it was pretty popular stuff with most of the tracks being played on the album rock stations. The album also appears at spot number 269 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Albums of All Time" list.