Rolling Stones (1964)

The Rolling Stones

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Studio album by The Rolling Stones

Released: 16 April 1964

Recorded: 3 January – 25 February 1964 at Regent Studios, London

Genre: Rock and roll, rhythm and blues

Length: 33:24

Label: Decca

Producer: Eric Easton, Andrew Loog Oldham

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.

Recording and releases

Recorded at Regent Sound Studios in London over the course of five days in January and February 1964, The Rolling Stones was produced by then-managers Andrew Loog Oldham and Eric Easton. The album was originally released by Decca Records in the UK, while the US version appeared on the London Records label.

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 original British version is out-of-print on CD. In November 2010, it was made available as part of a limited edition vinyl box set titled The Rolling Stones 1964–1969, and by itself digitally at the same time. The album was only released in mono in both the UK and US; no true stereo mix was ever made.

Track listing

Side one

1."Route 66" (Bobby Troup) 2:20

2."I Just Want to Make Love to You" (Willie Dixon) 2:17

3."Honest I Do" (Jimmy Reed) 2:09

4."Mona (I Need You Baby)" (Ellas McDaniel) 3:33

5."Now I've Got a Witness" (Nanker Phelge )2:29

6."Little by Little" (Phelge/Phil Spector )2:39

Side two

7."I'm a King Bee" (Slim Harpo) 2:35

8."Carol" (Chuck Berry) 2:33

9."Tell Me" (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards )4:05

10."Can I Get a Witness" (Brian Holland/Lamont Dozier/Eddie Holland )2:55

11."You Can Make It If You Try" (Ted Jarrett) 2:01

12."Walking the Dog" (Rufus Thomas)

Personnel

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