Why do people like the Rolling Stones?
I’d put “like” in the past tense; for me, their music started when I heard “Satisfaction” on the radio in 1965 and fizzled out by the late 70s. At the time, though, they had it all. They were the rawest, best, rocked the hardest, put on the best shows, changed their music with the times just like the Beatles, and it didn’t seem egotistical when they called themselves the best rock and roll band in the world. Their songs helped define the times. Maybe you had to be there; I was and it’s rare for me to listen to them at all these days. But now and then, the London singles, or Beggar’s Banquet, or Let It Bleed will make it onto my CD player. And those include some great songs; I recently saw John Doe do a cover of Gimme Shelter that gave me chills. I think the songwriting, Jagger’s charisma and voice, and Richard’s very unique guitar playing all were a big cut above the rest.
