50 very good reasons i love the Rolling Stones for their 55th anniversary

Believe it or not, 2017 marks the 55th anniversary of the formation of one of the most influential banks in rock and roll history, The Rolling Stones. And perhaps even more surprising is not only are they still together, they’re still touring, having announced 18 European dates for September and October with possible US dates to follow.

I wasn’t even born when The Stones formed; my parents were just kids themselves. But as a music lover who is willing to listen to tunes from any era and any genre I’ve grown to appreciate them over the years, not just for their musical excellence but for their innovation, their humor and the fact that, even now, when they are all in their 70s they are still so cool. In fact I can give you 50 very good reasons why even a Gen X child can truly appreciate the Rolling Stones.

1. The fact that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have known each other since they were little boys in primary school in England and they are still friends!

2. The fact that had the two not met up again after years apart (Keith moved away) when they got to University The Rolling Stones might never have existed.

3. The fact that Decca Records, upset that they missed a chance to sign the Beatles, signed The Rolling Stones instead.

4. The Stones very first single – Come On. It was a Chuck Berry cover and the band refused to play it live but if you can get your hands on a copy it still sounds great today.

5. The fact that in 1964 the Rolling Stones were considered to be so controversial in the US that Ed Sullivan banned them from his show, although he asked them back several times a few years later.

6. The Rolling Stones’ first UK number one hit, ‘Its All Over Now’

7. The first Jagger/Wyman penned song to reach number one in the UK ‘ The Last Time.’

8. Brian Jones expanding his range as a musician playing the sitar, a dulcimer and the marimbas on the first Rolling Stones LP comprised of all original songs ‘Aftermath’.

9. Their first US number one single ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.

10. The first album that the Rolling Stones produced by themselves ‘Satanic Majesties’.

11. Bill Wyman singing lead vocals for a change on ‘In Another Land’.

12. The thousands of butterflies the rest of the band released at Brian Jones’ funeral in 1969

13. Brian Jones, RIP.

14. ‘The Stones in the Park’, the band’s tribute concert for Jones.

15. The release of one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded ‘Gimmie Shelter’ a fitting end to the 1960s.

16. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger “stealing” Ronnie Wood away from Rod Stewart’s band The Faces.

17. Rod Stewart actually forgiving them all, even though the Faces fell apart not too long afterwards.

18. The fact that one of the cameramen involved in shooting of the 1970 documentary about the Stones “Gimmie Shelter” was none other than George Lucas.

19. The fact that Martin Scorsese has now used ‘Gimmie Shelter’ in four of his films.

20. The fact that the cake that is featured on the cover of the album ‘Let it Bleed’ was baked by soon to be a celebrity TV chef in the UK Delia Smith.

21. The fact that the cover for the Rolling Stones album ‘Sticky Fingers’ was designed by the legendary Andy Warhol.

22. The fact that many of the Rolling Stones hits have been produced by people called “The Glimmer Twins”. The Glimmer Twins are actually Mick and Keith.

23. Andy Warhol’s legendary prints of Mick Jagger, who was at the time married to one of Andy’s closest friends, Bianca DiMacias Jagger.

24. The fact that Mick Jagger and Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry are still friends even though Jagger stole Ferry’s girlfriend, Texan model Jerry Hall, to be his second wife.

25. The fact that one of Keith Richard’s kids is named after Marlon Brando.

26. The fact that Mick Jagger was David Bowie’s idol and inspiration. And Jon Bon Jovi’s.

27. The fact that at Prince Charles’ insistence Mick Jagger became Sir Mick Jagger in 2003.

28. What bandmate Charlie Watts said about the knighthood at the time ‘Anybody else would be lynched: 18 wives and 20 children and he’s knighted, fantastic!”

29. The fact that Jagger actually has eight children not 18 – Karis, Jade, Elizabeth, James, Georgia May, Aeeysha, Gabriel, Lucas and Deveraux – and makes time for them all.

30. The fact that Keith Richards also has some talented kids – son Marlon, daughter Angela (who was originally called Dandelion) and his supermodel daughters Theodora and Alexandra.

31. Nanker Phelge, the name credited as author on songs that the whole band wrote.

32. The fact that despite being arrested on drug charges 5 times Keith Richards has only ever served one night in prison!

33. Great Rolling Stone duets – Mick Jagger and David Bowie and Keith Richards and Mick Taylor.

34. The fact that not only is he an amateur photographer these days but Bill Wyman is an amateur archaeologist as well!

35. Keith Richards playing Captain Jack Sparrow’s father in Pirates of the Caribbean.

36. Keith Richards being the inspiration for the way Johnny Depp plays Captain Jack in the first place!

37. The fact that however many times the press wrote otherwise the Rolling Stones did not break up in the 1980s. Bill Wyman did retire in 1990 though.

38. Bill Wyman’s Sticky Fingers cafes in London, Cambridge and Manchester

39. Mick Jagger

40. Keith Richards

41. Ronnie Woods

42. Charlie Watts

43. Bill Wyman

44. Mick Taylor

45. Dick Taylor

46. Tony Chapman

47. Ian Stewart

48. Brian Jones (that’s all of the Rolling Stones, past and present)

49. The fact that Ronnie Wood just became father to twins, Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, just two days before his 69th birthday last year.

50. The fact that despite being well into their sixth decade of existence, The Rolling Stones are still one the best rock bands in the world!