December 6: A Day In Rolling Stones History
Considering their decades-long career, it’s not surprising that some major events in Rolling Stones history may fall on the same date, but December 6 marks the anniversary of three very…
Considering their decades-long career, it’s not surprising that some major events in Rolling Stones history may fall on the same date, but December 6 marks the anniversary of three very important moments.
1968 – Release of Beggars Banquet
This album kicked off one of the greatest sequences of albums (followed by Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St.) in all of rock and roll. It also marked the Stones’ return to their rock roots (“Sympathy for the Devil,” “Street Fighting Man”) after experimenting with more psychedelic sounds.
1969 – Altamont
The Altamont Speedway Free Festival kicked off just one day after the release of Let It Bleed. The chaotic concert that infamously featured the Hells Angels as security resulted in countless injuries and four deaths, including the stabbing death of 18-year-old Meredith Hunter by Hells Angel Alan Passaro.
1970 – Release of documentary Gimme Shelter
Taking its name from the opening track to Let It Bleed, Gimme Shelter chronicled the ill-fated Altamont Speedway Free Festival and its fallout. Multiple members of the camera crew even captured Hunter’s death, which was then shown in the film. Mick Jagger was also shown watching the footage and is by far one of the most chilling moments in any documentary.
With nine tracks clocking in just over 42 minutes, The Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed was the sound of the band signing off from the 1960s in all of their dark, lusty glory and the first album released since the sudden passing of Brian Jones.
More importantly, Let It Bleed helps pave the way for a new era for The Rolling Stones and the creation of two more masterpiece albums in the next three years. A near-flawless gem itself, here's every track ranked from Let It Bleed in honor of its anniversary.
9. “Country Honk”
J. Wilds/Keystone/Getty ImagesThis album is basically flawless, but a song had to come in last, and since “Country Honk” is just the twangy original version of “Honky Tonk Woman,” that’s why it comes in last. Even though this track certainly evolved into a classic, it is interesting to see its origins.
8. “You Got The Silver”
McCarthy/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesThe first time we hear Keith Richards on lead vocals is on this country blues tune, and it’s the last song to feature Brian Jones, who is credited for playing the autoharp. The track has grown into a fan favorite in recent decades when the Stones play live.
7. “Monkey Man”
William Lovelace/Express/Getty ImagesA unique hard rock moment on an album dominated by country and blues influences, “Monkey Man” stands out thanks to Bill Wyman’s vibraphone and Nicky Hopkins’ piano playing.
6. “Live With Me”
Len Trievnor/Express/Getty ImagesThat undeniable bass line? That was the work of Keith Richards, not Bill Wyman. The track notably is the first song the Stones recorded with new guitarist Mick Taylor, who replaced a fired Brian Jones, and the first song to feature Bobby Keys on saxophone. The chemistry between the guitars of Richards and Taylor cannot be mentioned enough.
5. “Love In Vain”
Reg Burkett/Express/Getty ImagesThe lone cover on the album, The Rolling Stones’ country blues take on this Robert Johnson song adds a unique ache to the album as a whole.
4. “Midnight Rambler”
Reg Burkett/Express/Getty ImagesEasily one of the best straight-forward blues tracks written by Jagger and Richards, “Midnight Rambler” opens up side two of album and serves as another example of Jagger being incredibly underrated on the harmonica.
3. “Let It Bleed”
C. Maher/Express/Getty ImagesAlmost a lustier predecessor to “Waiting on a Friend,” “Let It Bleed” walks the line between dark and sweet, sincere and sarcastic and manages to do so with minimalist swagger.
2. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
Reg Burkett/Express/Getty ImagesDespite how Dick and Berry from ‘High Fidelity’ feel about this song’s association with ‘The Big Chill,’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” has remained one of the Rolling Stones’ biggest showstoppers for 50 years and for good reason. The ethereal sounds of the London Bach Choir provided a unique juxtaposition to the Rolling Stones closing out not only this album but the ‘60s themselves, a decade that brought both great change and pain. The ‘70s were on the horizon, and while so much was uncertain, one thing that wasn’t was how somehow, we’d all figure out how to get what we need.
1. “Gimme Shelter”
William Lovelace/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesOne of the best Rolling Stones songs in their entire catalog that’s also one of the greatest opening album tracks of all time and that also features Merry Clayton with, perhaps, the most iconic rock vocal solo ever. “Gimme Shelter” is somehow ALL of these things, and 50 years on, it continues to move the masses and features lyrics that are as poignant now as they were upon their release. “It’s just a shot away” resonates now more than ever.
