Rolling Stones Celebrate 50 Years

From their starting days of covering the Beatles’ “I Wanna Be Your Man” and Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away,” the Rolling Stones have grown to become a worldwide sensation, via the worlds of music, fashion, photography and literature alike.

This summer marks the 50^th anniversary of the band’s formation and the world is rejoicing. I have recently written an article on Dualshow about London’s Somerset House eclectic exhibit in their honor, titled “The Rolling Stones: 50,” extending from July 13 through August 27. There you can find 70 rare and unseen shots, ranging from live concerts, to studio sessions to contact sheets, negative strips and even outtakes from every period of the band’s implausible past.

Coinciding with the photography exhibit is the release of a book with the same title, hitting UK bookstores July 12. The book holds 700 photos, each coupled with a brief description.

Along with this celebration and hub-bub is speculation of a possible 50^th Anniversary tour, although guitarist Keith Richards told Rolling Stone Magazine that, “basically, we’re just not ready.” With Richards’ health a concern, the band has pushed back any tentative tour to 2013.

The group formed in June of 1962 when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards responded to an ad posted by Brian Jones. From there they gained drummer Charlie Watts and bassist Bill Wyman (Wyman later left, and guitarist Ronnie Wood joined by 1993) and, despite Jones’ departure from the band in 1969 and death only a month later, the Rolling Stones dominated the charts. And they still do to this day.

They are a vital key in the sculpture of today’s musical landscape. Let’s take a moment to celebrate one of my favorite bands. Feel free to click the links, check out the videos below and research the other songs listed. And Click Here to see Mick Jagger host SNL this season. For an old man, he's still got it!

"Sympathy for the Devil" - epic live version

"(Can't Get No) Satisfaction"

"Brown Sugar"

"Beast of Burden"

"Miss You"

"Street Fighting Man"

"Honky Tonk Woman"

"Jumpin Jack Flash"

"Gimme Shelter"

"Paint it Black"

"Wild Horses"

Also: "The Last Time," "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "19th Nervous Breakdown," "Under My Thumb," "Mother's Little Helper," "She's a Rainbow," "Get Off Of My Cloud," "Ruby Tuesday," "Let's Spend the Night Together," "Time Is On My Side," "As Tears Go By," "It's Only Rock and Roll," "Memory Motel," "Midnight Rambler," "Start Me Up" and "Angie"