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April 7, 1962: Mick and Keith met Brian for the first time after a show by Blues Incorporated at the Ealing Jazz Club, in Ealing, West London. At the time they met Brian was still calling himself Elmo Lewis (inspired by one of his musical heroes, Elmore James) and playing guitar with singer Paul Jones, who performed under his real name of P. P. Pond.
On April 7, 1962, a pivotal moment in rock history took place at the Ealing Jazz Club in West London. That night, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards attended a performance by Blues Incorporated, a collective led by Alexis Korner that had become a hub for aspiring British blues musicians. Among those performing was a young guitarist named Brian Jones, who at the time went by the stage name “Elmo Lewis”—a tribute to his blues idol, slide guitar master Elmore James. Brian, showcasing his skill on slide guitar, was performing alongside singer Paul Jones, then known by his birth name, P. P. Pond.
Mick and Keith, both ardent blues fans, were instantly drawn to Brian’s raw and authentic playing. The three struck up a conversation after the gig, bonding over their shared love for American blues artists like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and Chuck Berry. This initial meeting laid the groundwork for what would soon become The Rolling Stones. The chemistry between the trio was undeniable, and within a few months, they began playing together, setting the foundation for one of the most iconic rock bands of all time. The Ealing Jazz Club encounter remains a key origin story in Stones mythology.
April 7, 1963: 2 shows: Studio 51, Ken Colyer Jazz Club, London and Station Hotel, Richmond, England
April 7, 2003: Brabourne Stadium, Bombay, India
April 7, 2006: The Stones hold a press conference in Shanghai, China
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