Like what you see? Help keep it going! This ad-free site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh content coming your way every day. Thank you!

Today in Rolling Stones history: May 22

*Click for DAILY ROLLING STONES CHRONOLOGY 1962-present

From riots in California to giant stadium singalongs in London, May 22 feels less like a normal day in Rolling Stones history and more like proof the band never understood the meaning of “quiet.” Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and company spent decades turning chaos into mythology, whether through explosive performances of songs like Street Fighting Man and Jumpin’ Jack Flash or by somehow surviving the drama surrounding fame, ego, and stadium-sized expectations. Even when the band avoided certain reunions, the Stones still managed to dominate the spotlight. Apparently, being “the greatest rock and roll band in the world” also includes mastering public disorder, spectacle, and endurance.

May 22, 1965: Municipal Auditorium, Ratcliffe Stadium, Fresno, California, USA

On this day The Rolling Stones played a show at the Radcliffe Stadium in Fresno as part of their third American tour. The concert attracted thousands of fans, many of them teenagers, eager to see the rising British rockers. As excitement built, the crowd’s energy turned chaotic. Dozens of fans rushed the stage, overwhelming security. Police responded with force, leading to clashes that escalated into a full-blown riot. Chairs were overturned, barriers were broken, and several people were injured or arrested. The incident made headlines and added to the Stones’ rebellious image. Despite the mayhem, the band completed their set, reinforcing their reputation as dangerous and electrifying performers. The Fresno riot became one of their early notorious U.S. moments.

May 22, 1976: Earl’s Court, London, England. continued their European Tour ’76 with another explosive performance at London’s iconic Earl’s Court arena. The concerts became some of the most celebrated shows of the tour, featuring massive stage productions, huge inflatable props, and the band at the peak of its mid-’70s swagger.

Honky Tonk Women/If You Can’t Rock Me-Get Off Of My Cloud/Hand Of Fate/Hey Negrita/Ain’t Too Proud To Beg/Fool To Cry/ Hot Stuff/Star Star/You Gotta Move/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Band introduction/Happy/Tumbling Dice/Nothing From Nothing/Outa Space/ Midnight Rambler/It’s Only Rock’n Roll/Brown Sugar/Jumpin’ Jack Flash/ Street Fighting Man/ Sympathy For The Devil

May 22, 1985: After evaluating the invitation the Stones ultimately decided not to appear together as a band at the massive Live Aid benefit concert in July 1985, despite being personally approached by organizer Bob Geldof. The decision reflected the growing tensions and distance between band members during the mid-1980s, a period when solo projects and internal conflicts were increasingly pulling the group apart. Instead of reuniting onstage as The Stones, Mick Jagger chose to perform alongside Hall & Oates, with a memorable guest appearance by Tina Turner, delivering one of the event’s most energetic collaborations. Meanwhile, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood joined Bob Dylan for a loose, chaotic, yet historic set that became one of Live Aid’s most talked-about performances.

May 22, 2017: Keith Richards joins a group of artists and musicians in designing a sculpture titled ‘The Wave‘ for an upcoming charity auction, blending music, visual art, and philanthropy into a unique collaborative project.
Read more

May 22, 2018: London Stadium, London, England
Street Fighting Man/It’s Only Rock’n Roll/Tumbling Dice/Paint It Black/Ride ‘Em On Down/Under My Thumb/Fool To Cry/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Honky Tonk Women/Band introduction/Before They Make Me Run/Slipping Away/Sympathy For The Devil/Miss You/Midnight Rambler/Start Me Up/Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Brown Sugar/Gimme Shelter/Satisfaction

Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you! 

COPYRIGHT © ROLLING STONES DATA
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE IS COPYRIGHT OF ROLLING STONES DATA. ALL CONTENT BY MARCELO SONAGLIONI.
ALL SETLISTS AND TICKET STUBS TAKEN FROM THE COMPLETE WORKS OF THE ROLLING STONES. 
WHEN USING INFORMATION FROM ROLLING STONES DATA (ONLINE OR PRINTED) PLEASE REFER TO ITS SOURCE DETAILING THE WEBSITE NAME. THANK YOU.