Rolling Stones

1961
January 15th

Bill’s new band ‘The Squires’ played their first show

March

Bill’s new band ‘The Cliftons’ played their first show

October

Mick met Keith on Dartford Railway Station and they became friends.

10th October

Brian saw the Chris Barber band & Alexis Korner Concert in Cheltenham, where he met Alexis & chatted.

November

Mick and Keith began rehearsing with Dick Taylor, Bob Beckwith and Alan Etherington in Dartford. They later named their band Boy Blue & The Blue Boys – but they ultimately never did a gig.

1962
January

Charlie joined Blues Incorporated as their drummer.

17th March

Brian hitchhiked from Cheltenham to see Blues Incorporated play their first show at the Ealing Club, London. Brian asked for the chance to play.

24th March

Brian sat in with Blues Incorporated at Ealing, playing slide guitar and again the following week.

7th April

Mick, Keith, Dick Taylor and Alan Etherington visited the Ealing Club and saw Brian playing slide guitar. After the show, Mick spoke to Brian.

May

Brian put an ad in Jazz News for people interested in forming an R&B band. Ian Stewart (Stu) was the first to answer. Brian began rehearsing with various musicians.

June

Mick started rehearsing with Brian, Stu and others and later introduced Keith & Dick Taylor.

July

Brian named his new group The Rollin’ Stones inspired by the Muddy Waters song Rollin’ Stone Blues.

12th July

Show: Marquee Jazz Club, London – the Stones’ first-ever show – though without Bill or Charlie.

August

Brian moved into a flat at 102 Edith Grove, Chelsea, London. A few weeks later Mick and Keith moved in with him.

18th August

Brian put an ad in Melody Maker for a drummer. Bill’s drummer Tony Chapman answered the ad and joined Brian’s band.

27th August

Bill bought a Vox AC30 Amp for The Cliftons.

September

The Cliftons still playing many gigs around South London. Brian’s Rollin’ Stones doing occasional gigs, without Bill or Charlie at this stage.

October

Dick Taylor left the Stones and later formed The Pretty Things.

27th October

Demo Session: Stones at Curly Clayton Studio, London.

5th December

Bill met Stu at the Red Lion Pub, Sutton, Surrey.

Bill Wyman joins the Rolling Stones

Following Dick Taylor’s departure in September, Bill Wyman joins the Rolling Stones in December 1962.

Bill says: “I went to the Wetherby Arms pub in World’s End, Chelsea. I was introduced to Mick, who was quite friendly, and I was then introduced to Brian and Keith. And they were very cool and showed little interest. However, I got the equipment out and set it up and suddenly there was lots of interest because I had a huge bass amp that I’d made. I had an AC30 Vox amp, and another smaller amp, a Watkins Westminster. They had horrible amps, so they were happy. I bought a round of drinks for everyone and offered them cigarettes, and of course, they were jumped upon immediately because they all smoked but couldn’t afford any.

“We rehearsed some Jimmy Reed songs and some pretty authentic Blues. I thought the general opinion from the boys was ‘really good amps, bass playing is nothing special, but we’ll keep him so we can use the amps. They asked me to come to the next rehearsal and I agreed.”

7th December

Bill rehearsed with Tony Chapman and the Stones at the Wetherby Arms, Chelsea, London still without Charlie at this point. Stones now doing regular gigs around London and the surrounding suburbs.

1963
10th January

Charlie Watts agreed to join the Stones. Tony Chapman fired.

14th January

First show with complete Stones line-up at the All-Nighter Club, Flamingo Jazz Club, Soho, London.

31st January

Show: Marquee Jazz Club, London (last time – fired by Cyril Davis).

February

Jazz promoters started booking Stones gigs in London.

February

Brian Jones met Giorgio Gomelski, who found gigs for Stones.

24th February

Show: Station Hotel, Richmond, Surrey (first time).

11th March

Stones first recording session at IBC Studios, London with engineer/producer Glyn Johns. Stones record five songs. Turned down by all record companies.

13th April

Stones first press write-up in the Richmond & Twickenham Times.

14th April

Show: Crawdaddy Club, Station Hotel, Richmond, Surrey. The Beatles visited and hung out with the Stones all night.

24th April

Show: Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, Surrey (first time).

28th April

Show: Crawdaddy Club, Station Hotel, Richmond, Surrey. Andrew Oldham and Eric Easton visited.

May

Charlie Watts stopped work and became fully professional with the Stones. Ian Stewart was demoted from the band by Andrew Oldham and became the Stones road manager.

1st May

Brian Jones (on behalf of the Stones) signed a management agreement with Andrew Oldham and Eric Easton.

4th May

Andrew Oldham bought the Stones their first stage outfits.

Photo Sessions: Stones with Nicholas Wright and Philip Townsend around Chelsea and beside the River Thames.

Show: News Of The World Charity Gala, Battersea Pleasure Gardens, Battersea, London.

9th May

Brian signed a 3-year recording contract between Stones and Andrew Oldham and Eric Easton.

10th May

First official recording session for Stones at (old) Olympic Studios, London.

Engineer: Roger Savage.

Producer: Andrew Oldham.

Cut Come On and I Want To Be Loved.

11th May

First article and photo on Stones in Record Mirror Music Paper.

14th May

Tape Lease Agreements between Stones and Decca Records.

7th June

Record release: Rolling Stones release Come On, their first single in UK b/w I Want To Be Loved (Decca F.11675).

It reached number 20 in the charts.

13th June

First press article in the national paper the Daily Mirror.

16th June

Last show at Crawdaddy Club, Station Hotel, Richmond, Surrey.

29th June

Andrew Oldham smartening Stones up. Bought stage outfits in Carnaby Street – leather waistcoats and dog-tooth jackets.

30th June

The first show at Crawdaddy Club, Athletic Ground, Richmond.

July

Mick Jagger started going out with Chrissie Shrimpton and they were together for three years.


Stones now doing ballroom shows around England.

7th July

Stones first TV show: ABC TV’s Thank Your Lucky Stars at the Alpha Studios, Aston, Birmingham, in dog-tooth jackets.

13th July

First Show out of London and its suburbs at The Outlook Club, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire supporting The Hollies.

19th July

First cancelled show at St. Clements Hall, Hastings, Sussex as Brian was ill.

August

Bill Wyman left work and turned professional with the Stones.

8th August

Recording Session: Stones at Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London. Cut four tracks for the first EP which was No.1 for weeks.

9th August

Stones did their first endorsement for Vox Equipment.

11th August

Show: 3rd Richmond Jazz Festival, Athletic Grounds, Richmond where they were bottom of the bill. It caused a sensation.

23rd August

Stones first appearance on Ready, Steady, Go! TV show playing live.

September

Brian, Mick and Keith Richards left the Edith Grove flat and moved to separate accommodation.

2nd September

Bill Wyman stopped using homemade bass guitar and bought a Framus Star Bass.

10th September

John Lennon and Paul McCartney gave the Stones the song I Wanna Be Your Man.

15th September

Show: Great Pop Prom, Royal Albert Hall, London.

28th September

BBC Radio’s Saturday Club featured Charlie, Brian and Bill backing Bo Diddley.

29th September

The first night of the Everly Brothers/Bo Diddley UK package tour which ran until the end of November.

30th September

Mick terminated his studies at the London School of Economics.

5th October

Little Richard joined the Everly Brothers tour.

1st November

Record release: Rolling Stones second single in UK I Wanna Be Your Man b/w Stoned (Decca F.11764).

Got to number 9 in charts.

21st December

Stones Christmas ad in the New Record Mirror said ‘Best Wishes To All The Starving Hairdressers & Their Families’.

1964
6th January

Stones first night of the Top of The Ronettes Tour of the UK until January 27th.

10th January

Record release: Rolling Stones first EP in UK – The Rolling Stones – (Decca DFE.8560).

13th January

Stones flew for the first time from London to Glasgow for first Scottish gig.

6th February

Recording Session: Stones at Pye Studios, Marble Arch, London.
 
Cut a TV commercial for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies.

8th February

Stones top John Leyton UK package tour until March 7th.

21st February

Record release: Rolling Stones third Single in UK – Not Fade Away b/w Little By Little – (Decca F.11845).
 
Got to number 3 in the charts.
 
Released in the US on 6th March.

6th March

Release of Stones first US Single – ‘Not Fade Away’ b/w ‘I Wanna Be Your Man‘ – (London 45-LON.9657).
 
It reached number 44 in the charts.

March 12th

Stones first Silver Disc for UK Single ‘Not Fade Away‘.

March 14th

Ray Coleman (Melody Maker) wrote his famous piece ‘Would You Let Your Sister Go With A Rolling Stone‘.

21st March

Melody Maker printed first caricatures of Stones.

11th April

Press revealed that Bill was married with a son.

16th April

Show: Cubi-Club, Rochdale, Lancashire – where there was a massive riot and the show was cancelled by police.

19th April

The Stones went abroad for the first time and played at the International Golden Rose TV Awards, in Montreux, Switzerland.

21st April

Show: Beat Festival, Withdean Stadium, Brighton, Sussex which was originally scheduled for May is cancelled by the police.

26th April

Stones appear at the NME Poll Winner’s Concert, Empire Pool, Wembley.

May

The Rolling Stones’ first album is released in the US – ‘England’s Newest Hitmakers – The Rolling Stones‘ – (London LL.3375).

1st June

The Rolling Stones flew from London to New York to embark on their first US tour.

3rd June

The Rolling Stones pre-recorded ABC TV’s ‘The Hollywood Palace Show‘, and were ridiculed by Dean Martin on the show when it aired on June 13th.

10th June

First edition of UK Rolling Stones Monthly magazine (30 editions published on 10th of every month).

11th June

First recording session at Chess Studios, Chicago.

13th June

Release of Rolling Stones second US Single – Tell Me b/w I Just Want To Make Love To You – London 45-LON.9682. Reached No.24 in charts.

16th June

Rolling Stones voted No.1 group in England in New Musical Express.

20th June

Rolling Stones end US Tour with two shows at Carnegie Hall, New York to riots.

26th June

Release of Rolling Stones 4th UK single – It’s All Over Now b/w Good Times, Bad Times – Decca F.11934. Went to No.1.

1st July

Rolling Stones Limited was incorporated. Each Stones owning an equal fifth share.

25th July

Release of Stones’ third US single – It’s All Over Now b/w Good Times, Bad Times – London 45-LON.9687. Reached No.26 in the charts.

4th August

Bill officially became William George Wyman by Deed Poll.

7th August

Rolling Stones headline 4th National Jazz & Blues Festival, Athletic Ground, Richmond, Surrey.

8th August

Rolling Stones’ first gig in Holland at the Kurhaus theatre, Scheveningen, Den Haag ends in a massive riot.

14th August

Release of Rolling Stones’ second UK EP Five By Five – Decca DFE.8590. Went to No.1.

18th August

Rolling Stones Channel Islands tour, until 22nd August 1964.

23rd August

Mike Dorsey began work for the Rolling Stones as chauffeur and tour manager.

5th September

Stones top the Inez & Charlie Foxx UK Package Tour, to 11th October.

8th September

Rolling Stones voted No.1 UK group and single Not Fade Away was voted No.1 disc of the year in Melody Maker.

9th September

Stones did an endorsement for Russian 8mm Movie Cameras.

21st September

Pathe Pictorial filmed the Stones backstage and onstage, at the ABC Theatre, Hull, Yorks, and the following day on the motorway.

26th September

Release of Rolling Stones’ fourth US single Time Is On My Side b/w Congratulations – London 45-LON.9708.

6th October

Nanker Phelge Music Limited was Incorporated. Each Stones member and Andrew Oldham held an equal sixth of the shares for songs written by the Rolling Stones as a band.

14th October

Charlie Watts married Shirley Ann Shepherd at the Register Office in Bradford, Yorkshire (Revealed in Press 20th November 1964)

20th October

Rolling Stones’ first show at The Olympia Theatre, Paris, France.

24th October

Release of the Rolling Stones’ second US Album – 12 X 5 – London LL.3402.

25th October

Rolling Stones’ first appearance on Ed Sullivan Show, New York

28th October

Stones top of the Bill at The TAMI Show, filmed in Santa Monica, and the following day.

10th November

Bill and Stu met Les Paul in the Chicago hotel, invited to his show, then to his hotel suite later.

13th November

Release of Stones’ 5th UK single – Little Red Rooster b/w Off The Hook – Decca F.12014. It went straight to No.1.
 
First Rolling Stones’ book published in UK – Our Own Story by The Rolling Stones by Pete Goodman – Publisher: Corgi Books.

December

US Press quote on Stones – ‘The Great Unwashed’
 
Brian & Linda Lawrence ended their relationship.

15th December

Mick, Keith & Andrew Oldham formed Mirage Music Ltd.

19th December

Release of Stones’ 5th US single – Heart Of Stone b/w What A Shame – London 45-LON.9725. Reached No.16 in the charts.

1965
15th January

Release of the Rolling Stones’ second UK Album – The Rolling Stones No.2. Decca LK.4661. Went to No.1 in the charts.

19th January

The Rolling Stones flew Los Angeles to Hawaii to Fiji to Sydney, Australia for first Australian and New Zealand tour until 13th February 1965.

22nd January

The Rolling Stones commenced first Australia and New Zealand tour with Roy Orbison.

13th February

Release of the Rolling Stones’ third US Album – The Rolling Stones Now!. London LL.3420.

26th February

Release of the Rolling Stones’ 6th UK single – The Last Time b/w Play With Fire – Decca F.12104. Went to No.1 in the charts.

5th March

The Rolling Stones top UK Package Tour with the Hollies until 18th March 1965.

18th March

Stratford garage peeing incident by Bill, Mick & Brian.

26th March

Mick and Bill suffered electric shocks at rehearsals in Odense, Denmark.

11th April

Stones performed at NME Poll Winners Concert, Empire Pool, Wembley.

23rd April

Stones commenced third US Tour, toured until 29th May 1965.

26th April

Ian Stewart’s ‘The Unholy Trinity’ quote on Andrew, Mick & Keith.

May

Bill’s son Stephen quoted: ‘My daddy lives in an airplane’.

16th May

Stones’ show at The Civic Auditorium, Long Beach, California, US. Riot broke out after show and police rescue Stones from their car.

5th June

Release of Stones’ 7th US single – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction b/w The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man – London 45-LON.9766. Went to No.1 in the charts.
 
Released as the 7th UK single in UK on Decca F.12220 on 20th August 1965. Went to No.1 in the UK charts and went to No.1 in 38 countries.

11th June

Release of Stones third UK EP – Got Live If You Want It. Decca DFE.8620.

23rd June

Stones flew to Norway for second Scandinavian Tour. Four thousand riot at Oslo Airport. Police use water cannons to control the crowd.

30th June

Glasgow Magistrate called Stones: “morons and animals” in court.

11th July

Andrew Oldham met Allan Klein and asked him to represent him in the future.

22nd July

Court Case: Bill, Mick & Brian accused of insulting behaviour at a Stratford garage, London on 18th March 1965. They were all found guilty and fined.

26th July

Stones met with Allen Klein for the first time at the Hilton Hotel, London.

29th July

Stones, Oldham and Allen Klein signed new deal with Decca Records. Also signed deal with Klein – against Bill’s wishes.

30th July

Release of Stones’ third UK Album – Out Of Our Heads on Decca LK.4725. Went to No.1 in the charts.
 
Was Stones’ fourth US Album on London LL.3429.

1st August

Stones played London Palladium (two shows) – Bill played the Vox ‘Wyman Bass’ for first time.

28th August

Brian Jones voted ‘Most Handsome Man In Pop’ by Record Mirror readers.

3rd September

Stones flew to Dublin for Irish Tour and were filmed for Charlie Is My Darling documentary.

11th September

Stones flew to Dusseldorf, West Germany for European Tour. 5,000 waiting fans rioted. Police used water cannons to control them.

14th September

Brian met Anita Pallenberg in West Germany and they began their relationship.

15th September

Stones performed at the Waldbuhne Halle, West Berlin, West Germany. After the show fans damage the town and 17 coaches of a West Berlin train.

21st September

A group called The Stone Brothers from West Country, England claimed they registered the name ‘The Rolling Stones’ under the Companies Act in November 1957.

24th September

Tom Keylock drove Stones for first time.

25th September

Release of Stones’ 8th US single – Get Off Of My Cloud b/w I’m Free – London 45-LON.9792. Went to No.1.
 
First night of the Stones UK Tour supported by The Spencer Davis Band – tour to 17th October 1965.

22nd October

Release of Stones’ 8th UK single – Get Off Of My Cloud b/w The Singer Not The Song – Decca F.12263.

29th October

Stones commenced their fourth US Tour – tour to 5th December 1965.

4th December

Release of Stones’ 5th US album – December’s Children – London LL.3451. It reached No.4 in the charts.

18th December

Release of Stones’ 9th US single – As Tears Go By b/w Gotta Get Away – London 45-LON.9808.

1966
January

Bill met and chatted with Otis Redding at The Scotch of St James Club in London.

4th February

Release of Stones’ 9th UK single – 19th Nervous Breakdown b/w As Tears Go By – Decca F.12331. It went to No.1.

12th February

Release of Stones’ 10th US single – 19th Nervous Breakdown b/w Sad Day – London 45-LON.9823

18th February

Stones commenced their second Australian and New Zealand Tour – tour to 2nd March 1966.

26th March

Stones start their European and Scandinavian Tour – tour to 5th April 1966.

2nd April

Release of Stones’ 6th US album – Big Hits (High Tide & Green Grass) – London NPS.1.

15th April

Release of Stones’ fourth UK album – Aftermath – Decca SKL.4786

16th April

Keith Richard moved to Redlands, Redlands Lane, West Wittering, Sussex.

2nd May

Anita Pallenberg arrived in London and moved in with Brian.

7th May

Release of Stones’ 11th US single – Paint It Black b/w Stupid Girl – London 45-LON.901

13th May

Release of Stones’ 10th UK single – Paint It Black b/w Long Long While – Decca F.12395

23rd June

Stones flew to New York to commence their 5th US Tour – tour to 28th July 1966.

July

Stones saw the unknown Jimi Hendrix performing in New York.

2nd July

Release of Stones’ 7th US album – Aftermath – London PS.476. It got to No.2 in the charts.
 
Release of Stones’ 12th US single – Mother’s Little Helper b/w Lady Jane – London 45-LON.902. It got to No.4 in the charts.

10th September

Photographer Jerry Schatzberg shoots Stones in drag on 3rd Avenue, New York.

14th September

Stones employ Leslie Perrin to handle PR.

23rd September

Release of Stones 11th UK single – Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow? b/w Who’s Driving Your Plane. Decca F.12497.
 
Released as Stones’ 13th US single on London 45-LON.903.
 
Opening night of Stones’ UK Tour with support by Ike & Tina Turner and The Yardbirds – tour to 9th October 1966.

4th November

Release of Stones’ 5th UK album – Big Hits (High Tide & Green Grass) – Decca TXS.101. It got to No.3 in the charts.

10th December

Release of Stones’ 8th US album – Got Live If You Want It! – London LL.3493. Got to No.6 in the charts.

18th December

Mick and Chrissie Shrimpton ended their relationship. Mick was seeing Marianne Faithfull.
 
Stones friend Tara Browne died in a car crash in London.

1967
14th January

Release of Stones’ 14th US single – Let’s Spend The Night Together b/w Ruby Tuesday – London 45-LON.904. Single banned by US radio stations and the Stones alter lyrics when playing the song on the Ed Sullivan TV Show. Ruby Tuesday got to No.1 in the charts.
 
Released as 12th UK single on Decca F.12546 on 20th January 1967. Got to No.2 in the UK charts.

20th January

Release of Stones’ 6th UK album – Between The Buttons on Decca SKL.4852. Got to No.2 in charts.

22nd January

Stones appeared on Sunday Night At The London Palladium and Stones refused to go on Roundabout, causing enormous controversy.

5th February

News Of The World name Mick in drugs exposé.

11th February

Release of Stones’ 9th US album – Between The Buttons on London LL.3499.

12th February

Drug Bust: Police raid Keith’s Redlands home in West Wittering, Sussex and charge him, Mick, Marianne, Robert Fraser and others with drug offences.

25th February

Stones’ US single Ruby Tuesday reached No.1 in the charts.

15th March

Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg began their relationship.
 
Anita left Brian

25th March

Stones begin European Tour in Sweden – tour to 17th April 1967.

13th April

Stones performed two shows at The Congress Hall, Palace Of Culture, Warsaw, Poland. Huge riots took place outside with running battles between fans and police.

17th April

Show: Panathinaikos Football Stadium, Athens, Greece – last night of European Tour.

21st April

Bill and family were stuck in Greece on holiday when the military successfully overthrew King Constantine.

10th May

Court Case: At Chichester, West Sussex, summonses were heard against Mick & Keith. Both pleaded not guilty and were released on £100 bail.
 
Brian and Prince Stanislas Klosswski de Rola (Stash) were arrested by the police at Brian’s flat in Courtfield Road, South Kensington. They were taken to Kensington Police Station and charged under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

2nd June

Court Case: Brian and Stash attended a Court Hearing at West London Magistrates Court, London, where they are accused of possessing marijuana, methedrine and cocaine.

16th June

Brian attended the three-day Monterey Pop Festival in California. He introduced Jimi Hendrix onstage.

25th June

The Beatles pre-recorded a live satellite-TV Telecast Our World in London and performed All You Need Is Love, with Mick, Keith, & Brian in the audience (aired 6th July 1967).

27th June

Court Case: Mick, Keith and Robert Fraser on trial at West Sussex Quarter Sessions, Chichester. Mick was found guilty and remanded to Lewes Prison overnight.

29th June

Court Case: Mick & Keith attended the trial at the West Sussex Quarter Sessions, Chichester. Keith was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months in prison. Mick was sentenced to three months in prison. Mick was taken to Brixton Prison and Keith was sent to Wormwood Scrubs.

30th June

Court Case: There was a Court Hearing in the High Court of Criminal Appeal. Mick and Keith were granted bail until their appeals against their convictions were heard and they were released from jail.

July

Bill composed In Another Land at the Keston house.

3rd July

Brian and Suki Poitier checked into the Forest Mere Hydro Health Clinic in Liphook, Hants and then two days later moved to the Priory Nursing Home, Richmond, staying until 24th July 1967.

13th July

Recording session: Bill and Charlie at Olympic Studios, cut In Another Land without others.

15th July

Released of Stones’ 10th US album Flowers on London LL.3509. It got to No.3 in the charts.

31st July

Court Case: Mick and Keith attended a Hearing in the High Court of Appeal, where Keith’s appeal was upheld, and Mick received a Conditional Discharge.

18th August

Release of Stones’ 13th UK single – We Love You b/w Dandelion – Decca F.12654. Got to No.4 in the charts.

25th August

Mick and Marianne, together with the Beatles, attended the Maharishi’s conference in a Teachers’ Training College in Bangor, North Wales.

September

Andrew Oldham severed all ties with the Stones.

2nd September

Release of Stones’ 15th US single – Dandelion b/w We Love You on London 45-LON.905. Got to No.50 in the charts.

13th September

Stones flew to New York and shot the Satanic Majesties 3D Album Cover with Michael Cooper over the course of three days.

30th October

Court Case: Brian at Inner London Sessions, London. He pleaded guilty and was jailed for 9 months. He was taken to Wormwood Scrubs Prison, London.

31st October

Court Case: Brian at the High Court, London. Pending appeal, he was granted bail.

2nd December

Release of the Rolling Stones’ 16th US single – In Another Land b/w The Lantern – London 45-LON.907. Got to No.64 in the charts.

8th December

Release of Stones’ 7th UK album – Their Satanic Majesties Request – Decca TXS.103 (3D cover). Got to No.3 in the charts.
 
Release of Stones’ 11th US album – em>Their Satanic Majesties Request – London NPS.2 (3-D cover). Got to No.2 in the charts.

12th December

Court Case: Brian attended his Appeal at the Law Courts, Chesham Street, London. The judges said he should receive medical treatment, and his sentence was set aside.

23rd December

Release of Stones’ 17th US single – 2000 Light Years From Home b/w She’s A Rainbow on London 45-LON.906. It got to No.10 in the charts.

1968
15th March

Recording session: Stones at Olympic Studios, London. First recording session with producer Jimmy Miller.

20th April

Stones did promo video of Jumpin’ Jack Flash (painted faces) at Olympic Studios, Barnes.

27th April

Stones did promo videos of Jumpin’ Jack Flash (different version) and Child Of The Moon in countryside.

12th May

Stones perform at NME Poll Winner’s Concert, Empire Pool, Wembley.

21st May

Drug Bust: Brian was arrested by police at his flat above, taken to Marlborough Street Magistrates Court, London and charged with possessing cannabis.

24th May

Release of Stones’ 14th UK single – Jumpin’ Jack Flash b/w Child Of The Moon – Decca F.12782′. Went to No.1 in the charts.

1st June

Release of Stones’ 18th US single – Jumpin’ Jack Flash b/w Child Of The Moon – London 45-LON.908.

4th June

Stones met with French film director Jean-Luc Godard at Olympic Studios and were filmed for the film One Plus One.

7th June

Photo session: Stones at Sarum Chase, Hampstead, London.

8th June

Photo session: Stones at Balcony Field, Swarkestone, Derby

11th June

Court Case: Brian at Marlborough Street Magistrates Court, London. He pleaded not guilty and was set for trial at the Inner London Sessions before a jury on 25th June 1968.

July

Brian and Suki viewed Cotchford Farm, Near Hartfield in Sussex. Brian decided to buy it and put in a bid.

July

Barry Feinstein shot the ‘toilet graffiti photo’ in Los Angeles, for the cover of Beggars Banquet.

23rd July

Keith received summons for driving offences and ordered to appear in court in Guildford on 12th August 1968.

August

Decca and London Records refuse to release Beggars Banquet album with ‘Graffiti’ cover.

31st August

Release of Stones’ 19th US single – Street Fighting Man b/w No Expectations – London 45.909. It was banned by many US radio stations.

September

Mick began shooting the film Performance in London. Anita Pallenberg was chosen to star alongside Mick.

18th September

Counsel for Defence at Old Bailey said Stones look like ‘gorillas’.

26th September

Court Case: Brian attended The Inner Sessions, Marylebone Street Magistrates’ Court, London and was charged with possessing cannabis. He was found guilty and fined.

21st November

Brian completed purchase of Cotchford Farm, Hartfield, Sussex.

5th December

Stones (minus Keith) attended the Beggars Banquet Press Reception at the Gore Hotel, 190 Queensgate, London.

6th December

Release of Stones’ 8th UK album – Beggars Banquet – Decca SKL.4955. Got to No.3 in the charts.

7th December

Release of Stones’ 12th US album – Beggars Banquet – London PS.539. Got to No.5 in the charts.

9th December

Stones rehearsal for The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus at the Londonderry House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

10th December

Filming of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus at the Intertel Studios, Stonebridge Park, London – and the following day.

1969
January

Rolling Stones Magazine (US) formed. Mick briefly involved.

February

Stones took possession of their mobile recording studio.

18th March

Brian admitted to Priory Nursing Home, Richmond (stayed until 20th March 1969).

May

Brian crashed his Triumph motorcycle into a grocery store window near Cotchford Farm, & was admitted to hospital under an alias to avoid publicity.

May

Mick chosen for role of Ned Kelly in film to be shot in Australia.

28th May

Drug Bust: Mick and Marianne arrested at 48 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea and formally charged with possession of cannabis.

29th May

Court Case: Mick and Marianne attended Marlborough Street Magistrate’s Court in London and charged with possessing cannabis. Both were remanded on bail.

May

Brian intimated to the band that he was thinking of leaving to pursue his own career.

4th June

Recording session: Stones at Olympic Studios, Barnes and cut Honky Tonk Women.

7th June

Keith crashed his car near Chichester. The car was written-off. Keith was unhurt but Anita broke her collar bone and went to St. Richard’s Hospital, Chichester.

8th June

After the recording session, Mick, Keith and Charlie visited Brian at Cotchford Farm and discussed his future. Brian elected to leave the Stones.

June

Mick claimed that Detective Sgt. Robin Constable asked for £1,000 to drop the charge of possession of cannabis.

9th June

Mick Taylor replaced Brian in the Stones.

13th June

Photo session: Stones in Hyde Park, London introducing Mick Taylor to media and announced the Stones would play a free concert in Hyde Park, London on July 5th.

17th June

Mick had his first meeting with Prince Rupert Loewenstein.

3rd July

At about 1am Brian died in his swimming pool at Cotchford Farm. Post-mortem reported drowning, drugs and liver degeneration.

4th July

Release of Stones’ 15th UK single – Honky Tonk Women b/w You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Decca F.12952

5th July

Release of Stones 20th US single – Honky Tonk Women b/w You Can’t Always Get What You Want – London 45-LON.910. It got to No.1 in the charts.
 
Show: Stones Free Concert, Hyde Park, London. Crowd size estimated between 250,000 and 500,000. The concert was filmed by Granada TV.

6th July

Mick, Marianne and Alan Dunn flew to Los Angeles.

7th July

Mick, Marianne and Alan Dunn flew on to Sydney, Australia to start filming Ned Kelly.
 
Anna Wohlin left Bill and Astrid, who had been sheltering her from the media since Brian’s death, and visited Cotchford Farm.
 
Inquest into Brian’s death. Coroner’s verdict was Misadventure.

9th July

Court Case: Bill attended the High Court Of Justice, London. He was granted a decree nisi from his wife Diane and given full custody of his son Stephen with access for Diane.
 
Anna Wohlin flew London to Stockholm, Sweden.
 
Marianne took a drug overdose at the Chevron Hilton Hotel, Sydney, Australia, and was taken into intensive care at St.Vincent’s Hospital in a coma (until 13th July 1969).

10th July

Mick commenced filming Ned Kelly in Australia.
 
Brian’s funeral in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Bill and Charlie were the only Stones that attended, along with Astrid, Shirley and Stu.

12th July

Anita announced she was pregnant with Keith’s baby.

14th July

Marianne out of her coma in a hospital in Sydney.

6th August

Marianne was discharged from Mount St Margaret Hospital in Sydney and joined Mick.

10th August

Anita and Keith’s son Marlon was born at Kings College Hospital, Dulwich, London.

17th August

Marianne flew to Switzerland and continued treatment at the Sanatorium Bellevue AG, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland.

19th August

Mick injured his hand on the film set of Ned Kelly.

30th August

Keith and entourage attended the Isle of Wight Festival of Music.

31st August

Keith and Charlie attended the Isle of Wight Festival of Music.

2nd September

TV Film: Granada TV’s The Stones In The Park (Taped 5th July 1969)

12th September

Release of Stones’ 9th UK album – Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol.2) – Decca SKL.5019
 
Mick Jagger flew into London from Australia.
 
Marianne Faithfull flew into London from Switzerland.

13th September

Release of Stones’ 13th US album – Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol.2) – London NPS.3 (Hexagonal Cover).

30th September

Bill and Charlie recording with Leon Russell at Olympic Studios, and again on 1st October 1969.

7th October

It was rumoured that the Stones were playing on the roof of a building overlooking the Berlin Wall in East Berlin. A riot erupted and 50 youths were arrested by police.

10th October

Bill’s divorce from Diane Cory was made absolute.

November

Marianne Faithfull and son Nicholas were living with Mario Schifano in Rome.

7th November

Stones commenced US Tour – toured to 30th November 1969.

28th November

Release of Stones UK promotional album – The Promotional Album – Decca RSD.1 (200 copies only).

29th November

Release of Stones’ 14th US album – Let It Bleed – London NPS.4.

2nd December

Stones recording in Muscle Shoals until 4th December 1969.

5th December

Release of Stones’ 10th UK album – Let It Bleed – Decca SKL.5025.

6th December

Stones Free Concert at Altamont Speedway, Livermore, California.

8th December

Anita was ordered to leave England by Home Office.

16th December

Marianne and son Nicholas returned from Rome and re-join Mick.

18th December

Court Case: Mick and Marianne attended Marlborough Street Magistrates’ Court and pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ to possessing cannabis resin. Case adjourned until 26th January 1970.

24th December

Bill, Astrid and Stephen flew to Sweden for Christmas holiday.