The MARK’S VINTAGE VINYL page features something from Mark’s collection of recordings from over the years. Most of it is on vinyl – hence the name – though there will be a few entries from his CDs (remember those?).
Hot Rocks 1964 – 1971, by The Rolling Stones
- Compilation greatest hits album released in 1971.
- One of rock’s greatest drummers of all time died in August 2021 – Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met Watts in 1962 when they went to a jazz club in London to watch a performance by Blues Incorporated – 22 year old Watts was the drummer for the band. The Rolling Stones formed that same year – Watts joined as drummer in early 1963. Watts the jazz drummer remained the pulse of The Rolling Stones for 58 years – he, Jagger and Richards were the only members of the band to play on every Stones album – 25 studio albums from 1964 to 2016.
- Watts makes every GOAT drummer list. Rolling Stone magazine puts him at #12 all time.
- As Greatest Hits albums go, Hot Rocks is one of the best, in my opinion. The double album peaked on the Billboard 200 album chart at #4 in 1972. In 2013, it re-entered the chart, peaking at #18. And in 2021, it re-entered again, peaking at #33. Since its release, it has been on the album chart for over 360 weeks. The album is certified 12x platinum.
- The track listing is awesome – nothing but classic songs from the early days of the Stones. (I Can’t Got No) Satisfaction makes most GOAT songs lists as a top 5 entry. Rolling Stone magazine’s rankings of the top 500 songs of all time includes 14 songs by The Rolling Stones – most of them are on this album. My personal favorite – Sympathy for the Devil. Watts’ jazz-tinged percussion (including cowbell) makes it all the better.
- More fantastic tracks – Get Off of My Cloud…Under My Thumb…Ruby Tuesday…Let’s Spend the Night Together…Jumpin’ Jack Flash…Honky Tonk Women…Gimme Shelter…Brown Sugar…Wild Horses. And twelve more! Seriously – these songs are among the best that rock and roll can offer.
- Here’s a video of the boys performing Sympathy for the Devil in 1968. This song really is spectacular! Please watch and listen – it’s worth nine minutes, if you love classic rock at its best!