When did the Stones start to lose it?

[rickenbrother]

I don't know if I'd say that they "lost it" at some point either, but by the mid to late '70's, the overplaying them on the radio just made me so sick of hearing them, that by the late '70's, I really didn't pay much attention to them any more. If I heard a Stones song on the radio, I would change to a different station...and then, there would be another Stones song!

[scotty]

I think that the thread should be called when did you start to lose interest in the Rolling stones.Its a personal thing and to say that a group has lost it when they are still selling and touring seems strange to me,but everyone has an opinion and being a forum that's what its all about..

[shamustwin]

Hard to say if they've lost it, times have changed, and Rock and Roll isn't relevant. The hybrids and different branches of Rock and Roll go on.

I do say they layed the groundwork for much of what came after them.

And I'd say Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Beggars Banquet are the Stones at their best!

[JakeK]

"Let It Bleed" was sort of the turning point: two or three songs with Jones, two songs with Taylor and the the rest were performed as a quartet.

The reason I say two or three songs is that, despite what all liner notes and whatnot say, I think Brian played some sort of instrument on "Can't Always Get What You Want". It could have been percussion or even acoustic 12-string guitar (I hear the chords being played on a 12-string in addition to Keef's Hummingbird).

"Let It Bleed" and "Beggars Banquet" are two Stones classics, the best Stones albums they have. From the Taylor years, I'd have to say "Sticky Fingers" is my favorite, and from the Jones years, definitely "Aftermath".

[lennon211]

Reflecting on this, the Stones could be the Madonna of bands...they've successfully reinvented themselves several times and they're still out there. Their last album wasn't bad...it just wasn't a classic which is perhaps what has been expected of every Stones album since the late '60's. As far as still being out there and performing, I've seen them twice in the past 6 years and the last time around, they were nothing short of amazing.

Maybe the question does become something more along the lines of when they did lose the public's interest. Maybe it's all about when they lost their edge and stopped making music that was socially relevant.

[admin]

For me, quite simply with the departure of Brian Jones.

They became a very different group with a different feel to their music in the years to follow.

Jones offered a creativity that I don't think was equaled by Jagger, Richards or any other Rolling Stone.

[Scastles]

For me, quite simply with the departure of Brian Jones.

They became a very different group with a different feel to their music in the years to follow.

Jones offered a creativity that I don't think was equaled by Jagger, Richards or any other Rolling Stone.

Interesting, Peter. Jones was by far a more versatile musician than any of the others. His touches of work on songs like Paint It Black, Ruby Tuesday and others made those tunes. He played everything from a flute, dulcimer and sitar, among others. I think it was even said by the time they got to Aftermath
Jones played everything, but a guitar.

[kiramdear]

I thought their work after Brian was still very good, with the apex being "Exile". After that I felt they weren't focusing on the songwriting. I did enjoy the few good bits on Goat's Head Soup.

[jingle_jangle]

I like your term, "self-tribute" band, Kira. That one got a couple of yoks out of me...

[kiramdear]

Isn't that what they became, though, starting with "It's Only Rock & Roll". I knew not to buy it when it came out and I saw the cover, heard the one radio hit, that they'd gone off in a different direction.

[lennon211]

For me, quite simply with the departure of Brian Jones.

They became a very different group with a different feel to their music in the years to follow.

Jones offered a creativity that I don't think was equaled by Jagger, Richards or any other Rolling Stone.

Interesting, Peter. Jones was by far a more versatile musician than any of the others. His touches of work on songs like Paint It Black, Ruby Tuesday and others made those tunes. He played everything from a flute, dulcimer and sitar, among others. I think it was even said by the time they got to Aftermath
Jones played everything, but a guitar.

He was still playing some guitar and rather well on that album too. It wasn't until they got back from the last big tour in '66 with Jones that he really started to spiral out of control. It was then that he really began to stop focusing on the music and more on the lifestyle. Toward the end of his time in the Stones, it was said that he had little of his ability with the guitar left.

Regarding the "self-tribute", that's perhaps the most accurate assessment of the Stones from the mid-70's on. I can think of other bands that most certainly fall into that category as well.

[jingle_jangle]

Do try to locate and read Brian Jones' bio--"Golden Stone", by Laura Jackson. There's also the Brit-produced film about Jones' last days and the relationship with the handyman who was supposed to be his, er, facilitator into the Next World...It's called (of course) "Stoned" and supposedly had the OK of the current Stones lineup. The first scenes of this film are noteworthy: in B & W, and filmed in a smoky cellar set, with Wyman playing what looks like an early '60s Kay bass.

[lennon211]

Do try to locate and read Brian Jones' bio--"Golden Stone", by Laura Jackson. There's also the Brit-produced film about Jones' last days and the relationship with the handyman who was supposed to be his, er, facilitator into the Next World...It's called (of course) "Stoned" and supposedly had the OK of the current Stones lineup. The first scenes of this film are noteworthy: in B & W, and filmed in a smoky cellar set, with Wyman playing what looks like an early '60s Kay bass.

Stoned did not have the Ok. The Stones (Read: Jagger & Richards) were most emphatically against it, hence why none of the major hits are featured. The film is ok at best being a mix of flash backs during the last days of Jones on Cotchford Farm. Jagger & Richards were afraid that they would be blamed for Jones' death. Golden Stone is a great read though, as is Old Gods Almost Dead about the Stones as a group. It gives a lot of insight into the band during their long and varied career.

[1965]

For me, quite simply with the departure of Brian Jones.

They became a very different group with a different feel to their music in the years to follow.

Jones offered a creativity that I don't think was equaled by Jagger, Richards or any other Rolling Stone.

Word, well said.

[JakeK]

I saw "Stoned". I don't think it was great, but had they featured some of the major hits, it would have been better.