As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones first official gig ( July 12 1962, The Marquee Jazz Club) in London, BBC6 is rebroadcasting a key documentary first recorded back in 1973. The programme narrated by Alexis Korner and produced by Jeff Griffin (see blue plaque interviews) explains how the Ealing Club served as a key venue in bringing the group together (May 62) and then helped them “cut their teeth” as a band (July 62 – March 63).

By March 63, after 22 Ealing Club gigs, the Rolling Stones line up of Mick, Keith, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts were ready to take on other clubs across the UK and then beyond. Their contribution to British Blues and the world of Rock music needs no further introduction.

The small crowds of the Ealing club would help encourage other key “Rhythm and Blues” groups some of whom would later arrive in America as part of the “British Beat group” invasion of the US.

The Rolling Stones Story - BBC6 Radio

The Rolling Stones Story – The Early Days shows how Ealing and West London helped foster many figures and talents whose music careers were given a boost by Alexis Korner, Cyril Davies and Blues Incorporated. The young audience back in 1962 were hungry for bands that had a go at playing amplified Blues guitar, harmonica with heavy drums.

The Rolling Stones were key players in ensuring that the British Rhythm and Blues boom would become London’s major contribution to music.

Key figures interviewed include Mick Jagger, Ian Stewart, Long John Baldry and many others.

Some of the songs first played by members of the Rolling Stones at Ealing are discussed. These include:

– Got My Mojo Working
– Don’t Stay Out All Night
– Bad Boy
– Ride em on Down
– Look what you’ve done

Full BBC 6 programme available here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sjrfk

Here is a version of “Look what you’ve done” from 1964…….some months on from the Stones gigs at Ealing