The Rolling Stones, which formed in London in 1962, are one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Conceived as a response to the clean-cut aesthetic of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones embody many characteristics that typify rock and roll and the rebellious counterculture of the 1960s.
The unfathomable power of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' songwriting dualism is felt most forcefully on Beggars Banquet (1968), Let It Bleed (1969), Sticky Fingers (1971), and Exile on Main St. (1972).
Unlike almost all of their contemporaries from the '60s, the career of The Rolling Stones extended well beyond the era of free love and remarkably continues on. Nowadays - while continuing to make records - the band has been massively successful as a global touring juggernaut, playing their unrivalled back catalogue to stadiums all over the world.
After numerous decades at the top, the band is still centred around the personalities and partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Though the cult of celebrity that surrounds the band is a behemoth, The Rolling Stones are a model of how to become successful and more importantly, sustain success over the long term.
Over their career, The Rolling Stones have released 30 studio albums selling over 240 million units worldwide.
