Fans are just learning how legendary rock band Rolling Stones got their name, despite the band forming over six decades ago.
After banding together in London in 1962, the group now includes frontman Mick Jagger, lead guitarist Keith Richards, and bassist Ronnie Wood, who hopped on board in 1975. The Stones have seen members come and go, with original bass player Bill Wyman leaving in 1993, saxophonist Brian Jones parting with the band in 1969, and drummer Charlie Watts sadly passing in 2021.
Jagger and Richards remain the iconic songwriting duo propelling the group to unparalleled heights as one of rock’s most enduring and influential acts. Their sound is typically describes as rock ‘n’ roll with influences from blues, R&B, soul, and even country.
The Rolling Stones’ last tour took place in North America with 20 dates performed between April and July 2024. It celebrated the release of their 28th studio album, Hackney Diamonds, in 2023.
Despite having their name to hits such as ‘Paint It, Black’, ‘Beast of Burden’, and ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’, many fans don’t know where they got their name. Taking to Reddit one user asked: “What is the origin of the name ‘The Rolling Stones’ and how is it associated with blues music?”
A knowledgeable fan jumped in, explaining: “It comes from an old saying ‘a rolling stone gathers no moss.’ Muddy Waters used the name for a song/album. The Rolling Stones took their name from Muddy’s song.”
Another fan responded: “Yup – and the story goes they actually had no name in 1962 when Brian Jones was on the phone with a nightclub staff member trying to get his band a gig. The guy asked him what his band was called and Brian happened to be looking at a copy of the record, Rollin’ Stone, and said, ‘The Rollin’ Stones.'”
This tale has been corroborated by Radio X, who reported that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards initially started a group named The Blues Boys, but later joined forces with guitarist Brian Jones, drummer Charlie Watts and keyboardist Ian Stewart, who were part of a popular collective known as Blues Incorporated.
Radio X further stated that the future Rolling Stones eventually branched out to form their own band, leaving Blues Inc to continue.
When Blues Inc were offered a BBC radio session, they needed someone to fill in at their residency at London’s Marquee Club and Jagger and his team seized this opportunity. Radio X continued: “Jones was on the phone to the magazine Jazz News, promoting their big break on 12th July 1962, but suddenly realised that the band didn’t have a name.
“Thinking on his feet, Jones spotted a copy of the 1959 compilation LP The Best Of Muddy Waters lying on the floor. Side 1, track 5 was called Rollin’ Stone (or Rollin’ Stone Blues, if you had the UK version of the album). So, for one night only, the band was known as The Rollin’ Stones, with a line-up of Jagger, Richards, Stewart, “Elmo Lewis” aka Brian Jones, Dick Taylor on bass and Mick Avory (later to join The Kinks) on drums.”
