Nowadays Olive Can't Even Write

On this day in 1971, The Rolling Stones released their 9th UK and 11th US studio album, titled  Sticky Fingers , on their newly founded label, Rolling Stones Records.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Cover by Andy Warhol Recordings technically began in December 1969 at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, less than a month after the release of their 8th UK and 10th US studio album Let it Bleed . Some of the leftover tracks that were held over from the former, which included " You Gotta Move ", " Brown Sugar ", and " Wild Horses " were originally cut in March and later became the first tracks to be completed. Most of the album's recording was done in the summer and autumn of 1970 and took place at a mobile studio in Stargroves, a manor and estate that was owned by Mick Jagger at the time. The cover was conceived by pop artist Andy Warhol, photographed by Billy Name, and designed by Craig Braun. It sparked some debate as to whose crotch is actu...

Anniversaries: Pioneering Rock, Blues, and Country Guitarist Lonnie Mack Dead at 74 (2016) Credit: Alligator Records Mack, who is credited with launching the "era of modern rock guitar", died of natural causes in a hospital near his home in rural Tennessee. By bringing the guitar to the forefront of his work, he influenced then-future rock musicians to incorporate a lead guitar into their work. AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Pleads Guilty Following Alleged Threat to Kill (2015) Rudd plead guilty to a charge of a threat to kill, as well as charges for possession of marijuana and meth. He was reportedly unhappy about the launch party for his solo album, Head Job,  and offered an associate significant payment to have one of many employees he fired "taken out". This payment would include $153,000 ( £ 100,000), a motorcycle, and either one of his cars or a house. Doris Richards, Mother of Rolling Stone Keith Richards Loses Battle with Cancer at 91 (2007) Doris Richards, who bou...

Anniversaries: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Brian Jones Meet for the First Time (1962) Credit: Mark and Colleen Hayward/Getty Images The three then-future members of The Rolling Stones met at Ealing Jazz Club in West London. Jones was still using the moniker of Elmo Lewis at the time and was working as a guitarist for Paul Jones, who was performing under his real name, P.P. Pond. The Rolling Stones officially formed that same year. Alice Cooper Accidentally Hangs Himself in Near-Fatal Rehearsal (1988) During a rehearsal on his European tour in 1988, Vincent Furnier, known professionally as Alice Cooper, accidentally hanged himself when a safety rope snapped. He reportedly dangled there for a few seconds before one of his roadies saved him. Veteran Music Producer and Engineer Andy Johns Dead at 61 (2013) Johns, who had been active as a producer since the '60s, has worked with many artists and bands including Free, Humble Pie, Blodwyn Pig, Jack Bruce, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepp...

Free Guitarist Paul Kossoff Dead at 25 (1976) Kossoff, who was on a flight from Los Angeles to New York at the time, had a pulmonary embolism when a blood clot from his leg moved into his lungs. Despite his young age, he had a long history of drug use that only got worse following the break-up of Free.  Source: Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Jefferson Airplane Reforms into Jefferson Starship (1974) In the process of creating a more commercial version of Jefferson Airplane, the group was renamed Jefferson Starship and gained a mostly-new lineup, which featured Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Johnny Barbata, David Freiberg, Peter Kauknonen, Cragi Chaquico, and Papa John Creach. The Tailor and Cutter Magazine Asks The Rolling Stones to Wear Ties (1965) The Tailor and Cutter  Magazine ran an article asking members of The Rolling Stones to wear ties, as tie-makers were struggling financially. Mick Jagger responded, saying: "The trouble with a tie is that it could dangle in th...

Today we remember Rolling Stones founder and multi-instrumentalist Brian Lewis Hopkin Jones on the 54th anniversary of his death. Source: Morgan Media Partners/Ed Caraeff Jones, who had already established himself as a blues musician at the time, posted an advertisement in the May 2nd, 1962 edition of Jazz News looking for musicians to audition for an R&B group. Pianist Ian Stewart was the first to respond (and was a member of the band until his removal in 1963) and Mick Jagger followed soon after, bringing his childhood friend Keith Richards to rehearsals, where he joined as well. The three members shared a flat for a year, and recruited bassist Bill Wyman due to the fact that he always had cigarettes as well as a spare VOX AC30 guitar amp. In January of 1963, the four stones had convinced drummer Charlie Watts to join. It was at that moment that a significant piece of rock history was truly born. In the band's early days, Jones proved to not only be a gifted multi-instrumenta...

January 30, 2022 - Today seems to be a rather loaded day for the music world, and holds a lot of great news, as well as a cool part of music history! Celebrating the Late Marty Balin on His Birthday (1942) Martyn Jerel Buchwald, known professionally as Marty Balin, was a co-founding member of Jefferson Airplane, and later, a member of Jefferson Starship. Balin would have been 81 years old as of today. Celebrating the Late Steve Marriott on His Birthday (1947) Source: Andrew Maclear/Redferns Stephen Peter Marriott, was the co-founder of both Small Faces and Humble Pie, and has been recognized by artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Perry, Clem Burke, and Paul Stanley as one of the best vocalists ever. Marriott died far too young at the age of 44, and would have been 76 today. Phil Collins Celebrates His 72nd Birthday (1951) David Philip Charles Collins, known as the drummer and (eventual) lead singer of Genesis, celebrates his birthday today. He learned to play the drums at age five, an...

December 12, 2022 - Today marks 19 years since Mick Jagger was officially knighted by the now-King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for 40 years of service to popular music. He was joined by two of his daughters, Karis and Elizabeth, as well as his 92-year-old father.  Although he is not the first musician to receive such high honors, Jagger has made history as one of the most controversial candidates to be considered for it. He has always kept a rebellious image, between his anti-establishment views, drug use, and many romantic and sexual affairs. He referred to the Queen herself as "Chief Witch" and proclaimed that "Anarchy is is the only slight glimmer of hope". Rolling Stones guitarist and fellow songwriter Keith Richards criticized him and called him a sellout for accepting the knighthood. Other musicians, such as David Bowie, also disagreed with his decision to take part in the ceremony. Credit: AFP/Rolling Stone Magazine On top of that, Queen Elizabeth hersel...