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Today in Rolling Stones history: March 31

*Click for DAILY ROLLING STONES CHRONOLOGY 1962-present

March 31 captures a fascinating moment in The Rolling Stones history, revealing their rapid evolution from scrappy club act to global force. In 1963, they hustled between intimate London venues, while by 1964 and 1965 they were already drawing crowds across England and breaking new ground in Sweden. The momentum peaked during their explosive mid-60s European tours, where raw energy met growing musical ambition, led by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. By 1967, controversy and chaos followed them as much as the music. Even decades later, echoes of that era resurfaced through collaborations and archival releases.

March 31, 1963: 2 shows: Ken Colyer Jazz Club, London and Station Hotel, Richmond, England

March 31, 1964: West Cliff Hall, Ramsgate, England

March 31, 1965: Mässhallen, Gothenburg, Sweden (2 shows) First gigs in Sweden ever!

March 31, 1966: Palais d’Hiver, Lyon, France (2 shows)

The Rolling Stones’ 1966 European Tour was a pivotal moment for the band, running from March 26 to April 5. Following the release of their critically acclaimed album Aftermath the tour showcased their evolving sound and growing fame. Spanning several countries, it featured support acts like Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders, Ian Whitcomb, and The Newbeats, alongside French acts like Antoine et les Problèmes. The Stones, led by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, delivered high-energy performances in intimate venues, captivating audiences with hits like Paint It Black. This brief but intense tour solidified their status as a leading rock act, setting the stage for their global dominance in the years ahead.

March 31, 1967: Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany

The Rolling Stones’ 1967 European Tour, from March 25 to April 17, was a dramatic chapter in their career, marked by music and mayhem. Promoting Between the Buttons, the band—Jagger, Richards, Jones, Wyman, and Watts—toured 11 countries, including Poland, behind the Iron Curtain. Support acts like The Easybeats and The Creation joined them. The tour was overshadowed by legal troubles, with Jagger and Richards facing drug charges in the UK, adding tension to their electrifying performances. Hits like Let’s Spend the Night Together thrilled fans, but riots and police clashes, especially in Zurich and Paris, underscored their rebellious image. It was a chaotic, groundbreaking tour that cemented their legend. This was also their last tour with Brian Jones in the band.

March 31, 2008: Release of Jack Bruce‘s Spirit – Live At The BBC 1971-1978 3-CD set with Mick Taylor as guest on one track: Without A Word (live ‘Old Grey Test’ 1975)

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