KerriS.+Non+Fiction

Kerri's Homepage  Kerri St. Denis Mrs. Laurencot Non-Ficiton Essay  The Rolling Stones were and still are today a legendary and influential rock and roll band. In the past, they continuously produced raunchy, expressive, and captivating songs receiving high ratings on the charts of England and America. The Rolling Stones were one of the most distinguished rock bands because they had a permanent affect on our society, culture, and musical rock and roll history. The Rolling Stones had a dramatic affect on the society. They were classified as the rebels of their era. This appealed to teenagers and young adults of the sixties. “Long hair and beat groups were too new, too different. The Rolling Stones, a symbol of rebellion to many of their teenage fans, were inspiring riots and hysteria everywhere they went.” (pg. 54) The behavior of their fans was anything but civilized. The actions of shunning preachers, calling church goers fools, and committing promiscuous acts, were just some of the behavioral troubles their aficionados were all for. A number of the Rolling Stones songs, promotes “Sympathy for the Devil” and thinking women as objects or not as high as men in the song “Under my Thumb.” The Rolling Stones took their part in drug use within the 1960-1970s. People looked up to The Rolling Stones, they were different, new, and rebels. Teenagers feel the need to “let loose” and be wild once in a while. The Rolling Stones were saying this was okay. Teenagers were getting into drugs. The Rolling Stones themselves were as well. Keith Richards, guitarist and song writer for the band had been arrested for possession of drugs multiple times in the band’s peak of success. In fact, any death due to a drug over-dose of a teenager would some how be related back to The Rolling Stones. In conclusion this influential band affected society immensely, they really added a lot to the music industry. The Rolling Stones were one of the “popular” bands of the sixties. Great amounts of money were being spent on their music. Elders, adults, and teenagers would save their earned for months to buy that next vinyl record. When The Rolling Stones had a concert, people would riot, leaving some hurt, and again, people saved money to see them live. The Rolling Stones left an impact on society; it had a lasting affect that continues on today. “They are called the ugliest group in Britain…But an awful lot of people love ‘em-those five shaggy-as-Shetland-ponies lads known as the Rolling Stones.” (pg. 23) The famous or infamous band had a certain style that caught on with the rest of the culture. Soon enough, boys had their hair over grown, out of place, and essentially dirty. Full mod suits and pin-stripe pants were the clothes to wear. This style was not considered classy but cool. The men who dressed like Rolling Stones were represented as ones who were “ladies men.” Bodacious girls would be around one man donned in this attire. The style was wide spread through out the young adults in American and English culture. The Rolling Stones were not only dominant musicians but their music had an affect on the culture because it was “popular” at the time. But, something remarkable is many of their songs were about the present culture. “Brown Sugar” for example was about a pretty Mexican immigrant entering America. In other words, their songs were honest. They gave their fans and audience reports and events fresh from the current social and political wars through song and poetry with screaming guitars and intense drum beats. Culture takes a play into achievements. The Rolling Stones achieved significantly. They had singles such as “Paint it Black”, “Gimme Shelter”- being about politics, war, murder and rape an ongoing issue in society, and more shot right up to the number one spot on the charts in both America and England. The band, also all lived middle class or poor life styles, making it big was such a success for all and influenced others to be so determined as well. Overall, The Rolling Stones play a great part into culture into the sixties. Some is still reflected today in modern rock and clothing. The band members each have their history. They each had all their struggles. Mick Jagger grew up with one parent. Mick was pressured to think about respectable careers, and almost pushed away from music. Keith, Mick’s closest friend, was a tiny guy and had to learn to fight in order to protect himself form neighbor hood bullies. And Brian, always competing against Mick for band leader, died of excessive drug use in his pool. Brian went insane and was suspicious, he assumed that no body in the band liked him, and he had to be the front man. Without The Rolling Stones, it’s hard to imagine where Rock and Roll would be today. They have made a mark in history. Bands from the nineties, and thousands have been influenced by this astonishing band, there are similarities in the sound of the guitars, distorted and entrancing. Even some “hip-hop” groups came to be famous by them. The lyrics are closely related to the explicit sexual lyrics of The Rolling Stones. This enduring band was also one of the firsts to have riots; it was almost custom to do so at every performance of theirs. Uncontrolled people and chaos is what they thrived on. This reflects in heavy metal bands in present time. The Rolling Stone’s history constantly appears today. To conclude, The Rolling Stones are one of the utmost, influential, and impacting bands of the nineteen sixties and seventies. They have changed the face and style of rock and roll forever. Their music is and forever will be classic and timeless. Remember that a rolling stone gathers no moss.