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February 21 runs like a hidden thread through Rolling Stones history—linking raw beginnings, global domination, and behind-the-scenes myth. In 1964, The Rolling Stones fired a warning shot with Not Fade Away, turning a Buddy Holly classic into a defiant R&B stomp that helped define their early sound. By 1969, Mick Jagger was stepping into the producer’s chair for Marianne Faithfull, proving the Stones’ influence stretched far beyond their own records. From explosive Australian shows in the ’60s and ’70s to massive nights at Tokyo Dome and River Plate Stadium, this date charts the band’s evolution—from hungry upstarts to the ultimate live rock juggernaut.
February 21, 1963: Harringay Jazz Club, Manor House Pub, London, England
February 21, 1964: Release of the Not Fade Away / Little by Little7″ single in the UK (Decca F 11845) The release of the single marked a decisive early breakthrough for The Rolling Stones that captured the band’s raw rhythm and blues spirit at a moment when Beatlemania dominated the charts. Not Fade Away, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty, was transformed by the Stones into a driving, Bo Diddley-inspired statement of intent. On the flip side, Little by Little showcased the group’s growing songwriting confidence and blues roots.
Feb. 21, 1966: City Hall, Brisbane, Australia (2 shows)
February 21, 1969: Release of Marianne Faithfull’s 7″ single Something Better/ Sister Morphine. The tracks were notably produced by Marianne’s (then) boyfriend Mick Jagger, who also contributed acoustic guitar—an unusual but revealing detail that highlights his hands-on role in shaping the song’s texture and direction. Rather than simply fronting the performance, Jagger stepped behind the console to help craft the overall sound, adding a more intimate, rootsy layer to the recording. The session also featured guest appearances from Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. Their involvement brought a familiar rhythmic backbone, blending seamlessly with the track’s laid-back yet focused feel. Together, the combination of Jagger’s production touch and the subtle support from Wyman and Watts gave the recording a distinct character—both collaborative and surprisingly understated, yet unmistakably Stones.
Feb. 21, 1973: Memorial Drive Park, Adelaide, Australia
Feb. 21, 1980: A magazine article misquoting Bill Wyman reports he will leave the Stones by 1982
Feb. 21, 1990: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan Start Me Up/Bitch/Sad Sad Sad/Harlem Shuffle/Tumbling Dice/Miss You/ Ruby Tuesday/Almost Hear You Sigh/Rock And A Hard Place/Mixed Emotions/Honky Tonk Women/Midnight Rambler/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Can’t Be Seen/Happy/Paint It Black/2000 Light Years From Home/Sympathy For The Devil Gimme Shelter/Band introduction/It’s Only Rock’n Roll/Brown Sugar/Satisfaction/Jumpin’ Jack Flash
February 21, 2006: River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina Jumping Jack Flash/It’s Only Rock’n Roll/Shattered/Oh No, Not You Again/ Tumbling Dice/Worried About You/Rain Fall Down/Midnight Rambler/NightTime/Band introduction/This Place Is Empty/Happy/Miss You/ Rough Justice/Start Me Up/Honky Tonk Women/Sympathy For The Devil/Paint It Black/Brown Sugar/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Satisfaction
February 21, 2012: Mick takes part in the Red, White and Blues celebration concert at the White House in front of U.S. President Barack Obama. The show was filmed for television, also including guests B. B. King, Booker T. Jones, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, B. B. King, and others, performing a total of five songs. I Can’t Turn You Loose/ Commit A Crime/ Miss You/ Five Long Years/ Sweet Home Chicago
February 21, 2014: Du Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arabian Emirates Start Me Up/It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll/You Got Me Rocking/Tumbling Dice/Emotional Rescue/Angie/Doom And Gloom/Paint It Black/Honky Tonk Women/Band introduction/Slipping Away/Before They Make Me Run/ Midnight Rambler/Miss You/Gimme Shelter/Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Sympathy For The Devil/Brown Sugar/ You Can’t Always Get What You Want*/Satisfaction *With special guests the Al Khubairat Singers (choir)
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