The Rolling Stones

On April 16, 1964, The Rolling Stones released their first album.

In the early 1950s Keith Richards and Mick Jagger were classmates at Wentworth Primary School near London.  Both families moved, but in 1960, they met up again before heading off to college and formed the band.  According to Richards, Brian Jones named the band while placing an ad with the Jazz News. When asked what the band's name was, Jones, in a panic, glanced at a Muddy Waters record on the floor and saw a track named "Rollin' Stone."

On 12 July 1962 the group played their first formal gig at the Marquee Club.  During the 1960s, that club was also host to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Who, King Crimson, Yes, Jethro Tull, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Their first album was self titled and it went to #1 on the UK chart.  Jagger and Richards were just beginning as songwriters and only contributed one original song to the album.  Two of the songs are credited to Nanker Phelge, which is a pseudonym that the band used for group compositions until 1965.

In nearly half a century, the band has released over 90 singles, more than two dozen studio albums, and numerous compilation and live albums. Ten of their studio albums are among Rolling Stone magazine's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, with their 1972 double album Exile on Main St. placing seventh.  They also are #2 on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list with (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.

The Rolling Stones Official Website
The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time