On The Anniversary Of ‘Let It Bleed’ By The Rolling Stones

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones was released on this day, December 5, in the year 1969. There is another anniversary we need to observe, too.

Let It Bleed came out shortly after the band's 1969 American Tour. It is the follow-up to 1968's Beggars Banquet. Both albums served as a return to the group's more blues-oriented approach. Additional sounds on the album draw influence from gospel, most famously on the song "Gimme Shelter," country blues, and country rock.

Its most notable songs are "Gimme Shelter," "You Can't Always Get What You Want," and "Monkey Man."

Beggar's Banquet came out on December 6, 1968, almost exactly a year prior to Let It Bleed.

There's another Rolling Stones anniversary on December 6, as well. This one is a bit less celebratory. The Altamont Free Concert took place on December 6, 1969, the day after Let It Bleed's release. The concert was disastrous for all involved after the Hell's Angels descended upon the crowd of 300,000 and got violent. Four people died, one at the hands of the Angels, and three other accidental incidents.

How ironic that an album named Let It Bleed was followed immediately by an event with bloodshed and unfortunate deaths.

Nevertheless, Let It Bleed is one of the Stones' most notable albums and produced a lot of critical acclaim. It features the Stones at their best.

Happy 61st Anniversary to The Rolling Stones.

The band formed in London on July 12, 1962. The band played their first show billed as "the Rollin' Stones" at the Marquee Club in London. At the time, the band was Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ian Stewart, and Dick Taylor. Bill Wyman auditioned for the role of bass guitarist at a pub in Chelsea later that year. He was hired. The classic line-up of the Rolling Stones, with Charlie Watts on drums, played for the first time in public on Saturday, January 12, 1963 at the Ealing Jazz Club. It wasn't until February 1963 that Watts became the Stones' permanent drummer. Ronnie Wood joined the crew in 1975.

I am a huge fan of The Rolling Stones, as you all know. I own 154 Rolling Stones T-Shirts and lots of Stones memorabilia. They are my favorite band.  I remember hearing their songs on the radio. I was hooked by their sound. Their music was so different from anything else I had ever heard before. It was raw, it was energetic, and unapologetically rock 'n roll.

As I got older, I learned more about the band and their history. I was fascinated by their rebellious spirit and their willingness to push boundaries. Their music has always been there for me, through good times and bad. They helped me celebrate, commiserate, and simply enjoy life. Their music is more than just entertainment. It is a way of life.

The Rolling Stones are a great live band. I saw them in 1981 at JFK Stadium.