Rolling Stones 60th Anniversary: The Band’s Iconic Moments That Made History

It’s been 60 years since The Rolling Stones performed their first concert, and since then they’ve become one of the defining bands of the rock era. To commemorate this 60th anniversary, Historic Newspapers have highlighted some of the bands most iconic moments.

First Performance 1962
The band’s debut performance took place on the 12th July 1962 under the name the Rollin’ Stones, at the Marquee Club on Oxford Street, London. The original line up compiled of Brian Jones on guitar, Mick Jagger on vocals, Keith Richards on guitar, Ian Stewart on piano, Mick Taylor on bass and Tony Chapman on drums.

First Number One Single 1964
Releasing a cover of Bobby Womack and the Valentinos’ Its All Over Now in Britain on June 26 1964, the band shot to number one in the UK.

Rolling Stones Logo Designed 1970-71
The group’s lips and tongue logo is one of the most recognisable, but there are conflicting stories about who designed it. It is usually credited to a Royal College of Art student called John Pache, though American artist Ernei Cefalu has claimed responsibility for the original concept. The logo was first featured on the Sticky Fingers album sleeve in 1971.

Mick Taylor is replaced by Ronnie Wood 1974-75
Just after the group had booked a session recording in Munich at the end of 1974, Taylor left. The band used the Munich sessions instead to look for a new rhythm guitarist. Ronnie Wood, of The Faces, was chosen in part because the band wanted to remain true to its British roots.

Rolling Stones Win Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 1986
Presented by Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones were presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Grammys, joining a list of previous recipients which included Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

First Major Band to Broadcast on the Internet 1994
In November 1994, the Rolling Stones broadcast 20 minutes of live audio and video from their performance the week before at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. This was one of the first types of streaming making the Rolling Stones the first major rock band broadcast over the internet.

40th Anniversary 2002
A greatest hits double album, Forty Licks, was released in September 2002, marking the band’s 40th anniversary. The band marked the anniversary with a world tour to promote the album in 2002 and 2003, with the album since selling over 7 million copies around the globe.

Hye Park Shows 2022
In celebration of their 60th Anniversary, The Rolling Stones played two shows at Hyde Park, London on 25th June and 3rd July. Coming back to the historic London park as part of their Sixty Tour, the band were supported by Sam Fender and played a range of their breakthrough songs.
Lovers of the band can commemorate the 60th anniversary with a historical newspaper from the decade or merchandise from their online store.