The Rolling Stones Story

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 to 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 60s blues scene.

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

Bob Harris looks back at the early years of The Rolling Stones.

Bob Harris charts the history of the Rolling Stones

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Programme two: Sticky Fingers

1967 saw a turning point for The Rolling Stones. With the release of Between the Buttons, the band finally abandoned the ways of pure pop in favour of their blend of rock and blues.

A brief infatuation with psychedelia, and an encounter with the British law, resulted in a revitalised band that resulted in an edgy Beggars Banquet album filled with detours into straight blues and campy country which was hailed a masterpiece. While it undoubtedly opened a new chapter in the saga of the Stones, it was also the beginning of the end for their relationship with Brian Jones.

Key albums featured: Between The Buttons, Their Satanic Majesties Request, Beggar's Banquet, and Let It Bleed.

Bob Harris looks at the Rolling Stones in the 1960s when the band had 14 Top Ten hits.

Bob Harris charts the history of the Rolling Stones

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

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 1970s, when they became tax exiles.

Bob Harris charts the history of the Rolling Stones

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

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 concludes the story of the Rolling Stones.

Bob Harris charts the history of the Rolling Stones

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.

Alexis Korner tells the story of the band.