The Rolling Stones' Early Struggles: A Personal Reflection
By Alan Florence
In my early 20s, I had the opportunity to work at IBC Studios, a London-based company that operated independent recording studios during the 1960s and 70s. It was an exciting time, and my manager would sometimes allow staff to invite artists they knew to record in the studios if there was spare time available. One evening, my colleague Glyn Johns mentioned bringing in a band called The Rolling Stones. I thought it was a funny name, but little did I know that this would be a pivotal moment in my career.
Johns wanted to record four tracks with the band, and we arranged the time. The Rolling Stones arrived, with Brian Jones, the original member, and we recorded the tracks. We got acetates cut, and sent them to various labels, but surprisingly, no one was interested. It was a disappointment, as I thought they were a tremendous band. We sent them off again, but the lack of interest persisted.
A few months later, I was asked to take the tape to my manager so he could reclaim the cost of the recording sessions. This proved to be a career-changing moment. My manager was in conversation with Andrew Loog Oldham, who was interested in taking the band on. Oldham bought the recordings for £98, which was a significant amount of money at the time. This led to me moving to another company, and eventually signing with Decca Records in 1963.
I continued to work with the artists and witnessed the band's rise to fame. It's fascinating to see how they've endured and remain one of the world's biggest rock bands, even after more than six decades. They've just released their 25th album, Foreign Tongues, and it's a testament to their enduring appeal. Despite their success, it's interesting to reflect on their early struggles and the pivotal moments that shaped their career.
In my opinion, the Rolling Stones' story is a reminder that success often comes after numerous setbacks. It's a journey filled with challenges, and it's inspiring to see how they've persevered. As for my personal reflection, I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with them and witnessed their rise to fame. It's a story that continues to inspire and remind us of the power of perseverance.
