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Postcard 2

The Rolling Stones as Blues Purists Writing Questions: Early on, the Stones considered themselves Blues “purists,” who believed in preserving the music as it was played by its founding practitioners in America. What evidence is there to support this?

Writing Point of View: You have been listening to some of the Rolling Stones’ first records. You have also seen them on television.

Resources:

1. Video: Muddy Waters performs “Rollin’ Stone,” 1958

2. Video: The Rolling Stones introduce Howlin’ Wolf on the television show Shindig!, 1965

3. Video: The Rolling Stones perform “Little Red Rooster,” a song by Howlin’ Wolf, and then introduce Wolf, 1965.

4. Video: Slim Harpo performs “I’m A King Bee,” 1957; the Rolling Stones perform “I’m A King Bee,” 1964

5. Quote from Mick Jagger, lead singer and co-founder of the Rolling Stones

6. Images: The Rolling Stones travel to Chicago, record at Chess Records, and name a song

after the address of the famous Blues record label. Compare the text of the landmark sign with the song list from the album Five by Five and cover notes from the band’s manager, Andrew Loog Oldham.

From The Rolling Stones: 50 (2012) “At the time, I said, ‘I hope they don’t think we’re a rock ’n’ roll outfit.’ We weren’t back then. We mostly played the blues.”

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7. Image: The Rolling Stones take their name from a Muddy Waters song (note the record label).