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Today in Rolling Stones history: January 23

*Click for DAILY ROLLING STONES CHRONOLOGY 1962-present

January 23 runs like a secret spine through Rolling Stones history. From a cramped Surrey pub where Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts locked the groove for the first time, to riotous tours, global stages, and intimate club jams decades later, this date captures the band in constant motion. It’s the Stones becoming a band, conquering continents, honoring their heroes, and never losing touch with the raw thrill of live music. Whether sharing stages with Roy Orbison, saluting Chuck Berry, shaking stadiums, or slipping into a London club unannounced, January 23 tells the story of a group that never stood still—and never had to.

January 23, 1963: Red Lion Pub, Sutton, Surrey, England. This was the first Rolling Stones show to feature both Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts as permanent members marked a decisive turning point in the band’s history. With Wyman anchoring the low end and Watts locking in a jazz-inflected, unshakeable rhythm, the Stones finally had the core lineup that would define their sound for decades. This wasn’t just another early gig—it was the moment the group solidified into a real band rather than a loose R&B outfit in formation. From that point on, the Stones played with a new confidence and cohesion, laying the groundwork for everything that followed, from relentless touring to the creation of one of rock’s most durable legacies.

Jan. 23, 1964: Pavilion, Lowestoft, England (extracurricular gig)

January 23, 1965: Manufacturer’s Auditorium, Agricultural Hall, Sydney, Australia (3 shows)
The Rolling Stones join Roy Orbison on a legendary tour of Australia. The lineup featured an incredible mix of musical talent, with Orbison’s heartfelt ballads contrasting the Stones’ raw, electrifying rock. Fans packed venues across the country, witnessing unforgettable performances that showcased the rise of rock ‘n’ roll’s new era. For the Stones, still early in their career, the tour marked a milestone in cementing their global popularity. Sharing the stage with Orbison, an established icon, further elevated their reputation as a live act. The tour’s impact resonated for decades, highlighting a pivotal moment in the history of rock music and leaving audiences with memories of two iconic acts sharing the spotlight in Australia.

Jan. 23, 1986: Keith Richards inducts Chuck Berry at the 1st Annual Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame ceremony at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City, a personal tribute and a public acknowledgment of rock’s deepest roots. Berry wasn’t just an influence on the Rolling Stones—he was a foundation stone, and Keith made that clear in his heartfelt introduction. The night reached its natural climax when Richards joined an all-star lineup onstage, jamming in celebration of Berry’s legacy. Alongside Neil Young, John Fogerty, Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Joel, Julian and Sean Lennon, Steve Winwood, Steve Jordan, and others, Keith helped turn the formal ceremony into a loose, joyous rock ’n’ roll summit—less museum piece, more living, breathing music, exactly the way Chuck Berry would have wanted it.

Jan. 23, 1998: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI, USA
Satisfaction/Let’s Spend The Night Together/Flip The Switch/Gimme Shelter/ All Down The Line/Angie/Saint Of Me/Out Of Control/She’s A Rainbow/ Miss You/Band introduction/Thief In The Night/Wanna Hold You/ Little Queenie/The Last Time/Like A Rolling Stone/Sympathy For The Devil/ Tumbling Dice/Honky Tonk Women/Start Me Up/Jumpin’ Jack Flash/ You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Brown Sugar

Jan. 23, 2006: United Center, Chicago, IL, USA
Jumpin’ Jack Flash/It’s Only Rock’n Roll/Rough Justice/Love Is Strong/Memory Motel/Rain Fall Down/Ain’t Too Proud To Beg/Midnight Rambler/Tumbling Dice/Band introduction/This Place Is Empty/Happy/Miss You/Respectable/Get Off Of My Cloud/Honky Tonk Women/Sympathy For The Devil/Start Me Up/Brown Sugar/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Satisfaction

January 23, 2010: Ronnie Wood jams onstage with Saint Jude at the legendary 100 Club in Londo, a reminder of where rock ’n’ roll truly lives—up close, loud, and unapologetically raw. Far from stadium lights and grand ceremonies, Ronnie dropped into the sweaty, intimate room like a local, trading licks and smiles with the band as if it were just another Friday night. The moment felt spontaneous and unpolished in the best possible way, blurring the line between icon and club musician.

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