It’s official. There will be a new Rolling Stones album coming out on Dec. 2.
Blue and Lonesome will be a nod to their blues roots. The unforgettable impact they left on the music industry began in the ‘60s, and it is never too late to be reminded of that. The highly-anticipated record, their first new work since 2005’s A Bigger Bang, is all set up to be something truly special. The album features the legendary Eric Clapton, Willie Dixon, Little Johnny Taylor, Magic Sam, Little Walter, Jim Keltner and more.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that The Stones have kept busy in their 11-year hiatus. In June 2015, they rereleased 1971’s Sticky Fingers with previously unreleased content and alternative versions of the hits. Keith Richards came out with Crosseyed Heart the same year. Mick Jagger hasn’t come out with anything since his 2007 greatest hits album, but he’s been plenty busy with guest appearances and performances. Not to mention touring. Yes, The Stones are still touring.
Oct. 22, 2016 is when The Rolling Stone’s last US show for the year is scheduled, in Las Vegas, Nevada. June 5, 1964 is the date of The Stone’s first US show. How could a band possibly play stadiums for several decades? It’s simple; they’re The Rolling Stones.
2012’s 50th Anniversary Tour was confirmed by both Keith Richards and Mick Jagger to be the “last tour” the band would ever embark on. In all fairness, every tour since 1981’s Tattoo You, followed by an 8-year tour hiatus, has sparked rumors of the grand finale. So what happened?
I guess when you really love something, it’s hard to stop.
Some question how Mick Jagger can still move like that, and how Keith Richards is even still alive, after all those drugs. But somehow, against all odds, The Stones are still playing shows, and they are still rocking them. Just last weekend, on Friday, Oct. 7, they played a set at Desert Trip, a festival at the Coachella venue in Indio, California, among fellow icons that also remain active such as Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and The Who.
The festival has been referred to as “oldchella” and mocked for its classic lineup. About that — I simply have to say that I am 18 and I would’ve done just about anything to score tickets to see those old men.
These shows are not to be overlooked, or written off as washed-up rock-stars not knowing when to quit. I saw The Stones played last summer in Pittsburgh, on the Zip Code tour. They still sounded great. And honestly, that is not something I ever thought I’d get to experience. My generation was not raised on The Stones. We were, in fact, too young to even grow up on Nirvana; Kurt Cobain died in 1994, three years before I was born.
These days you have to dig a little bit deeper to find good music, but back then it was the culture. So you can talk down on artists for not knowing when to walk away, but I never will. Looks may fade, but talent never dies. I think it is a blessing that The Stones are giving millennials a chance to see the magic first hand, instead of just hearing rock n’ roll folktales.
Halle Weber is a freshman studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. What's your favorite Rolling Stones album? Let Halle know by emailing her or tweeting her at hw422715@ohio.edu or @HalleWeber13 respectively.
