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Today in Rolling Stones history: July 2

*Click for DAILY ROLLING STONES CHRONOLOGY 1962-present

July 2nd is a strange date in the life of The Rolling Stones, serving as a jarring collision between high-octane rock excess and gut-wrenching tragedy. While the band was busy filming the cool, street-corner vibes of the Waiting On A Friend promo or hitting the stage in Amsterdam, this day also marks the haunting moment they learned of Brian Jones’ death in 1969, in the early hours of the next day. Whether it’s the sadnews or the polished hits on the Rewind compilation, today proves that the Stones’ timeline is never just music—it’s a chaotic, beautiful, and occasionally devastating ride.

July 2, 1966: ‘Music Festival’, Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, New York City, New York, USA (The Rolling Stones American Tour 1966)
Read: Inside The Rolling Stones’ 1966 Forest Hills Concert

July 2, 1969: Brian Jones is found dead in his swimming pool at Cotchford Farm late in the evening. The Stones get the news about Brian’s death while working at Olympic Sound Studios.
Mick Jagger on Brian’s death (1969): “I am just so unhappy. I am so shocked and worldless and so sad. Something has gone. I have really lost something. We were like a pack, one family in a way. I just say my prayers for him. I hope he becomes blessed, I hope he is finding peace… and I really want him to.”

July 2, 1971: Release of Reg King‘s LP Reg King, with Mick Taylor as guest on one track: Savannah
Former vocalist of The Action, King delivers a soulful album that blends gritty, organic jams with heartfelt ballads and featuring stellar guest musicians.

July 2, 1973: Release of Chris Jagger‘s LP Chris Jagger. The release of Chris’ self-titled LP stands as a fascinating highlight in the Jagger family musical legacy. This record shines through two legendary guest appearances that bridge the gap between family and the Stones’ inner circle: brother Mick Jagger lends his distinctive vocals to Handful of Dust, while Ian Stewart brings his signature piano magic to Something New. It remains a collaborative snapshot that captures the genuine musical camaraderie surrounding the Jagger brothers during that creative period.

July 2, 1975: Capitol Center Arena, Largo, Maryland, USA (Rolling Stones’ Tour of the Americas ’75)
Honky Tonk Women/All Down The Line/If You Can’t Rock Me-Get Off Of My Cloud/Star Star/Gimme Shelter/Ain’t Too Proud To Beg/You Gotta Move/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Happy/Tumbling Dice/It’s Only Rock’n Roll/Band introduction/ Heartbreaker/ I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (only Mick, a capella)(/Fingerprint File/Angie/Wild Horses/That’s Life/Outa Space/Brown Sugar/Midnight Rambler/Rip This Joint/Street Fighting Man/Jumpin’ Jack Flash

July 2, 1981: The Stones shoot a promo video for Waiting on a Friend on the streets and also at the St. Mark’s Bar & Grill in the Greenwich Village, New York City (where they also do a little jam playing a few old blues numbers) directed by Michael Lindsay Hogg
Read: The Day The Rolling Stones Shot the ‘Waiting On A Friend’ Video

July 2, 1984: Release of the Rewind (1971-1984) compilation album. It served to fulfill theStones’ contractual obligations with both EMI and Warner Music. Covering the band’s era from Sticky Fingers through Undercover, it notably featured a rare official lyric sheet. While later anthologies like Forty Licks and Jump Back have rendered this collection largely obsolete, the original vinyl and CD pressings remain highly prized by dedicated collectors today as significant artifacts from the band’s extensive and storied recording history.
SIDE A: 1. Brown Sugar/ 2. Undercover Of The Night/ 3. Start Me Up/ 4. Tumbling Dice / 5. It’s Only Rock And Roll (But I Like It)/ 6. She’s So Cold
SIDE B: 1. Miss You/ 2. Beast Of Burden/ 3. Fool To Cry/ 4. Waiting On A Friend/ 5. Angie/ 6. Respectable

July 2, 1998: Arena, Amsterdam, Holland (Bridges to Babylon Tour, European leg)
Satisfaction/Let’s Spend The Night Together/Flip The Switch/Gimme Shelter/Memory Motel/ Respectable/Saint Of Me/Out Of Control/Under My Thumb/Miss You/Band introduction/You Don’t Have To Mean It/Wanna Hold You/Little Queenie/Crazy Mama/ Like A Rolling Stone/Sympathy For The Devil/ Tumbling Dice/Honky Tonk Women/Start Me Up/Jumping Jack Flash/Brown Sugar
*With special guest Dave Matthews on Memory Motel

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