50 years ago: The Rolling Stones played their first gig

The Rolling Stones in 1962, from left: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Brian Jones, and Bill Wyman. Image from dw.com.

In the summer of 1962, the London Marquee Jazz Club played host to the first-ever show from the Rolling Stones. At the time, they consisted of singer Mick Jagger, guitarists Keith Richards and Brian Jones, pianist Ian Stewart, and bassist Dick Taylor. There is discrepancy over who drummed – Richards contends it was friend Mick Avory while some fans argue it was Tony Chapman, who frequently played with the Stones in the early years.

Thursday nights were regularly slated for the Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, but when they were invited to play a live broadcast on BBC, Jones persuaded the club’s owner, Harold Pendleton, to let his group fill in. According to fan site It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, the group played an 18-song set. Check the link to see the full set list.

The group continued playing London-based gigs throughout the summer. That August, Jagger, Richards, and Jones got an apartment together. By the year’s end, Bill Wyman came on board as the bassist, joining the group on stage for the first time in December 1962. The next month, Charlie Watts – who’d been asked several times to join the band – finally joined up.

Richards says the group really considers ’63 to be their 50th anniversary since that’s when Wyman and Watts were in place. “We look upon 2012 as sort of the year of conception. But the birth is next year.” Jagger concurs, telling Rolling Stone, “We’re slightly cheating…Because it’s not the same band, you know…It’s only Keith and myself that are the same people.”

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Resources and Related Links:

• DMDB Encyclopedia entry for the Rolling Stones
• RollingStone.com (7/12/2012). “50 Years Ago Today, the Rolling Stones Played Their First Gig” by Patrick Doyle
• It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (fan site): The Rolling Stones…Marquee Club, London, July 12, 1962

First posted 7/12/2012; last updated 7/12/2021.

The Kinks “Lola” released

Lola The Kinks

Writer(s): Ray Davies (see lyrics here) Released: June 12, 1970 First Charted: July 4, 1970 Peak: 9 US, 8 CB, 7 GR, 7 HR, 1 CL, 2 UK, 2 CN, 6 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.4 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 1.0 radio, 22.0 video, 218.86 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Kinks formed in England in 1963 and were one of the most celebrated bands that spearheaded the British invasion. Singer/songwriter Ray Davies “created some of the best typically British popular music of the era.” TB The Kinks landed a dozen top-ten hits in the UK during the 1960s. In the U.S., they hit the top 10 three times before petering out and finding themselves unable to even crack the Hot 100. However, they experienced a resurgence in 1970 with “Lola,” a top-ten hit in the U.S. and UK. “One of the most controversial songs of its time, ‘Lola’ was the first pop hit about transexuality.” TC It “predicts gender bending a full decade before Boy George made it fashionable” DT in the early ‘80s. Davies spins a tale about picking up a woman at a Paris nightclub who might be a man. He was inspired by a night out with record producer Robert Wace, who was dancing with a sultry black woman. However, when Davies noticed stubble on “her” chin, he thought she might be a he. SJ Kinks’ drummer Mick Avory has claimed it was about his own experiences in West London bars which hosted drag shows. WK Davies himself denies it was inspired by his own experience dating Candy Darling, a transvestite who gained attention as one of Andy Warhol’s superstars at the Factory and who was referenced in Lou Reed’s song “Walk on the Wild Side.” TC Amusingly, the Kinks did have to change a line in the song, but not because of sexuality. The song originally referenced Coca-Cola, but the BBC insisted on changing the lyric to “Cherry Cola” TC because of regulations prohibiting product advertising on the airwaves. TB Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for The Kinks TC Toby Creswell (2005). 1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time. Thunder’s Mouth Press: New York, NY. Pages 34-5. SJ Bob Shannon and John Javna (1986). Behind the Hits: Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll. Warner Books, Inc.: New York, NY. Page 145. DT Dave Thompson (2011). 1000 Songs That Rock Your World. Krause Publications: Iola, WI. Page 35. TB Thunder Bay Press (2006). Singles: Six Decades of Hot Hits & Classic Cuts. Outline Press Ltd.: San Diego, CA. Page 122. WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 7/11/2023.