Released in April 1964, The Rolling Stones was – according to guitarist Keith Richards – half-comprised of rough mixes precipitously rushed onto the market by their manager (and the album’s nominal producer) Andrew Loog Oldham. It’s a testament to the group’s brilliance that the result was still the best album to emerge from the early 1960s British blues boom.
The Rolling Stones is the debut album by The Rolling Stones, released by Decca Records in the UK on 16 April 1964. The American edition of the LP, with a slightly different track list, came out on London Records on 30 May 1964, with the added title England’s Newest Hit Makers.
The majority of the tracks reflect the band’s love for R&B. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (whose professional name until 1978 omitted the “s” in his surname) were fledgling songwriters during early 1964, contributing only one original composition to the album: “Tell Me (You’re Coming Back)”. Two songs are credited to “Nanker Phelge” – a pseudonym the band used for group compositions from 1963 to 1965. Phil Spector and Gene Pitney both contributed to the recording sessions, and are referred to as “Uncle Phil and Uncle Gene” in the subtitle of the Phelge instrumental “Now I’ve Got a Witness.”
The album cover photo was taken by Nicholas Wright. The cover bears no title or identifying information other than the photo and the Decca logo – an “unheard of” design concept originated by manager Andrew Oldham.
Upon its release, The Rolling Stones became one of 1964’s biggest sellers in the UK, staying at No. 1 for twelve weeks.
- The Rolling Stones
- Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica on “Little by Little” and “I’m a King Bee”, percussion
- Keith Richards – guitar, backing vocals
- Brian Jones – guitar, harmonica, percussion, backing vocals, co-lead vocals on “Walking The Dog”
- Bill Wyman – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Charlie Watts – drums, percussion
- Additional musicians
- Ian Stewart – organ, piano
- Gene Pitney – piano on “Little by Little”
- Phil Spector – maracas on “Little by Little”
The Fat Angel Sings 