The Rolling Stones Story

Bob Harris chronicles the band that defines rock 'n' roll: The Rolling Stones and looks back at their early years when the band grew out of the British blues scene. First broadcast in 2002 and repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Bob takes the lid off the longest running rock band in the world. Featuring exclusive archive sessions with The Stones, this series tells the epic story of how the band emerged from a passion for deep blues, to create a musical force that continues resonate.

Programme One: England's Newest Hit Makers

By the time the Rolling Stones began calling themselves the 'World's Greatest Rock n Roll Band' in the late 1960s, they had already staked out an impressive claim on the title. This opening programme traces the band's roots as a consciously dangerous alternative to The Beatles, the involvement of manager Andrew Loog Oldham, and the creation of the classic Stones' line-up that resulted in them becoming the breakout band of Britain's 60's blues scene.

Key albums featured: The Rolling Stones 1 and 2, Aftermath and their EPs.

Bob takes the lid off the longest running rock band in the world. Featuring exclusive archive sessions with The Stones, this series tells the epic story of how the band emerged from a passion for deep blues, to create a musical force that continues resonate.

Programme One: England's Newest Hit Makers

By the time the Rolling Stones began calling themselves the 'World's Greatest Rock n Roll Band' in the late 1960s, they had already staked out an impressive claim on the title. This opening programme traces the band's roots as a consciously dangerous alternative to The Beatles, the involvement of manager Andrew Loog Oldham, and the creation of the classic Stones' line-up that resulted in them becoming the breakout band of Britain's 60's blues scene.

Key albums featured: The Rolling Stones 1 and 2, Aftermath and their EPs.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Bob Harris looks back at The Rolling Stones in the 70s, when they became tax exiles in France. First broadcast in 2002 and repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Programme three: It's Only Rock n Roll

As the band moved into the 1970s, Stones' engineer Andy Johns described them as ""the worst band on the planet, but when it happened, they were transformed almost instantly from this dreadful band into the Rolling Stones"".

Following the release of Sticky Fingers, the Stones were forced to retreat to France as tax exiles, which ultimately resulted in a double album that was initially panned but is now regarded as a defining moment in their career.

This programme considers the classic albums that coincided with the formation of the band's own record label and the addition of the famous lips-and-tongue logo.

Key albums featured: Exile On Main Street, It's Only Rock n Roll, Black and Blue and Some Girls."

Bob Harris looks back at The Rolling Stones in the 70s, when they became tax exiles in France. First broadcast in 2002 and repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Programme three: It's Only Rock n Roll

As the band moved into the 1970s, Stones' engineer Andy Johns described them as "the worst band on the planet, but when it happened, they were transformed almost instantly from this dreadful band into the Rolling Stones".

Following the release of Sticky Fingers, the Stones were forced to retreat to France as tax exiles, which ultimately resulted in a double album that was initially panned but is now regarded as a defining moment in their career.

This programme considers the classic albums that coincided with the formation of the band's own record label and the addition of the famous lips-and-tongue logo.

Key albums featured: Exile On Main Street, It's Only Rock n Roll, Black and Blue and Some Girls.

Bob Harris looks back at The Rolling Stones in the 70s, when they became tax exiles in France. First broadcast in 2002 and repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Programme three: It's Only Rock n Roll

As the band moved into the 1970s, Stones' engineer Andy Johns described them as the worst band on the planet, but when it happened, they were transformed almost instantly from this dreadful band into the Rolling Stones.

Following the release of Sticky Fingers, the Stones were forced to retreat to France as tax exiles, which ultimately resulted in a double album that was initially panned but is now regarded as a defining moment in their career.

This programme considers the classic albums that coincided with the formation of the band's own record label and the addition of the famous lips-and-tongue logo.

Key albums featured: Exile On Main Street, It's Only Rock n Roll, Black and Blue and Some Girls.

Programme three: It's Only Rock n Roll

As the band moved into the 1970s, Stones' engineer Andy Johns described them as "the worst band on the planet, but when it happened, they were transformed almost instantly from this dreadful band into the Rolling Stones".

Following the release of Sticky Fingers, the Stones were forced to retreat to France as tax exiles, which ultimately resulted in a double album that was initially panned but is now regarded as a defining moment in their career.

This programme considers the classic albums that coincided with the formation of the band's own record label and the addition of the famous lips-and-tongue logo.

Key albums featured: Exile On Main Street, It's Only Rock n Roll, Black and Blue and Some Girls.

Programme three: It's Only Rock n Roll

As the band moved into the 1970s, Stones' engineer Andy Johns described them as the worst band on the planet, but when it happened, they were transformed almost instantly from this dreadful band into the Rolling Stones.

Following the release of Sticky Fingers, the Stones were forced to retreat to France as tax exiles, which ultimately resulted in a double album that was initially panned but is now regarded as a defining moment in their career.

This programme considers the classic albums that coincided with the formation of the band's own record label and the addition of the famous lips-and-tongue logo.

Key albums featured: Exile On Main Street, It's Only Rock n Roll, Black and Blue and Some Girls.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Bob Harris looks back at The Rolling Stones in the 80s and 90s, when they became stadium rockers. First broadcast in 2002 and repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Programme four: Your Last Chance To See?

Although Jagger admitted that The Stones ""lost of a little bit of sensitivity and adventure"" with their work in the 80s, as the group entered middle-age, they became the most successful live act in history.

Their stadium tours broke records across the globe and the Rolling Stones became a business phenomenon. For some members the time had come to retire gracefully but, as the band announce yet another tour, this final programme considers the business machine the group has become, the solo projects, and asks if the 21st century incarnation of the Stones is more about a visual spectacle than a musical one?

Key albums featured: Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You, Steel Wheels and Bridges to Babylon."

Bob Harris looks back at The Rolling Stones in the 80s and 90s, when they became stadium rockers. First broadcast in 2002 and repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Programme four: Your Last Chance To See?

Although Jagger admitted that The Stones "lost of a little bit of sensitivity and adventure" with their work in the 80s, as the group entered middle-age, they became the most successful live act in history.

Their stadium tours broke records across the globe and the Rolling Stones became a business phenomenon. For some members the time had come to retire gracefully but, as the band announce yet another tour, this final programme considers the business machine the group has become, the solo projects, and asks if the 21st century incarnation of the Stones is more about a visual spectacle than a musical one?

Key albums featured: Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You, Steel Wheels and Bridges to Babylon.

Bob Harris looks back at The Rolling Stones in the 80s and 90s, when they became stadium rockers. First broadcast in 2002 and repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Programme four: Your Last Chance To See?

Although Jagger admitted that The Stones lost of a little bit of sensitivity and adventure with their work in the 80s, as the group entered middle-age, they became the most successful live act in history.

Their stadium tours broke records across the globe and the Rolling Stones became a business phenomenon. For some members the time had come to retire gracefully but, as the band announce yet another tour, this final programme considers the business machine the group has become, the solo projects, and asks if the 21st century incarnation of the Stones is more about a visual spectacle than a musical one?

Key albums featured: Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You, Steel Wheels and Bridges to Babylon.

Programme four: Your Last Chance To See?

Although Jagger admitted that The Stones "lost of a little bit of sensitivity and adventure" with their work in the 80s, as the group entered middle-age, they became the most successful live act in history.

Their stadium tours broke records across the globe and the Rolling Stones became a business phenomenon. For some members the time had come to retire gracefully but, as the band announce yet another tour, this final programme considers the business machine the group has become, the solo projects, and asks if the 21st century incarnation of the Stones is more about a visual spectacle than a musical one?

Key albums featured: Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You, Steel Wheels and Bridges to Babylon.

Programme four: Your Last Chance To See?

Although Jagger admitted that The Stones lost of a little bit of sensitivity and adventure with their work in the 80s, as the group entered middle-age, they became the most successful live act in history.

Their stadium tours broke records across the globe and the Rolling Stones became a business phenomenon. For some members the time had come to retire gracefully but, as the band announce yet another tour, this final programme considers the business machine the group has become, the solo projects, and asks if the 21st century incarnation of the Stones is more about a visual spectacle than a musical one?

Key albums featured: Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You, Steel Wheels and Bridges to Babylon.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

As the veteran band returns to the road, there's another chance to hear Alexis Korner's series telling the story of the Rolling Stones, first broadcast in 1973. Part 6 of 6: Up to Date and Where to Now? Presented by Alexis Korner.

Up To date and Where To Now? Presented by Alexis Korner. First broadcast in 1973. Repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Up To date & Where To Now? Presented by Alexis Korner. First broadcast in 1973. Repeated as part of 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

. Alexis Korner covers the band's beginnings and early success.

The Rolling Stones Story, part 1 of 6. Presented by Alexis Korner, with contributions from Mick Jagger, Ian Stewart and more. This episode covers the band's beginnings and early success.

. Alexis Korner covers the band's beginnings and early success.

Presented by Alexis Korner, with contributions from Mick Jagger, Ian Stewart and more. This episode covers the band's beginnings & early success.

. Alexis Korner covers the band's beginnings and early success.

. The band tour the US and start to acquire their rock and roll reputations.

. Looking back at the band's progress in the mid-sixties.

. Alexis Korner takes up the story in January, 1964.