The Rolling Stones — the band’s name was inspired by a Muddy Waters’ song, Rollin’ Stone — consider July 12, 1962 as their first performance, which took place on the stage of the Marquee Club in London. At the time, the group was; Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, Dick Taylor, and Tony Chapman.

It was their music of the late 60s and early 70s that has a special place in my heart and memory; and, in particular, the three albums they created back-to-back-to-back that I think was the pinnacle of their artistic output: Beggars Banquet (1968), Let it Bleed (1969), and Sticky Fingers (1971). Their best music was wonderfully multilayered, unlike most rock.

I searched high and low for my absolute favourite Stone’s album, Let it Bleed, but could only find Sticky Fingers, an excellent album, but darker in tone, with songs like Sister Morphine and Dead Flowers.

The music of the Rolling Stones, along with rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, and Little Feat, are inextricably tied to my past.

While my wife and I drove to Cosco and back for groceries, we listened to Sticky Fingers, reminiscing and reveling in the deep cuts that we haven’t heard in years. I had bittersweet flash-memories of High School and College, of some friends that didn’t make it, and others that took different paths. I sent silent prayers to all of them.

It’s odd to see clips of the Stones performing as old men; I’ll always see them in my mind’s eye as the young, revolutionary, bad-boys of rock.

.