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Today in Rolling Stones history: May 7

*Click for DAILY ROLLING STONES CHRONOLOGY 1962-present

May 7 in The Rolling Stones history feels less like a normal date and more like a chaotic highlight reel where art films, blimps, dark psychedelia, and marathon setlists somehow coexist. From the haunting release of Paint It Black in 1966 to the tense atmosphere of Out of Control in 1967, the band kept reinventing danger, drama, and spectacle decade after decade. One minute they’re mingling with rock royalty at London theaters, the next they’re landing from the sky to announce tours because apparently walking into a press conference was too ordinary for the Stones.

May 7, 1964: Savoy Ballroom, Southsea, England

May 7, 1965: Legion Field Stadium, Birmingham, AL, USA

May 7, 1966: Release of the Paint It Black / Stupid Girl 7″ single in the US (London 45-901)
Paint It Black has sparked many interpretations (though it isn’t specifically about Jagger’s breakup, his new romance, or Vietnam) Instead, it may reflect a drug-influenced experience or deep depression. The red/black and light/dark contrasts suggest emotional turmoil. Mick Jagger admitted the theme of death wasn’t unique, saying it’s all about how you approach familiar ideas. As for Stupid Girl, it stands out for its biting lyrics and ruthless tone, portraying a shallow, judgmental woman through increasingly savage verses. The song mixes sharp sarcasm with frustration, turning its subject into a harsh symbol of vanity, cruelty, and emotional emptiness.

May 7, 1967: Brian joins an impressive crowd that includes Ringo Starr, some members of The Beach Boys and The Moody Blues to attend a show by The Jimi Hendrix Experience at London’s Saville Theatre, highlighting the venue’s status as a gathering place for rock royalty during the late 1960s.

May 7, 1969: Jean-Luc Godard‘s movie One Plus One (aka Sympathy for the Devil) opens in England.
This collaboration between the Stones and Jean-Luc Godard blended studio footage with radical political imagery. Filmed at London’s Olympic Studios, it captured the evolution of the Stones’ iconic song while also sparking creative clashes that led to two different versions of the film.

May 6, 1976: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
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/Band introduction/ Hot Stuff/Star Star/You Gotta Move/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/ Happy/Tumbling Dice/ Nothing From Nothing/Outa Space/Midnight Rambler/ It’s Only Rock’n Roll/Brown Sugar/Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Street Fighting Man

May 7, 1998: Release of the Out of Control CD-single, feat. four remixes: 1. Out of Control (Album Radio Edit)/ 2. Out of Control (In Hand with Fluke)/ 3. Out of Control (In Hand with Fluke Instrumental)/ 4. Out of Control (Bi-Polar at the Controls)

Out of Control showcases The Rolling Stones at their darkest and most atmospheric, blending the hypnotic groove of Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone with gritty rock intensity. Driven by Mick Jagger’s restless vocal performance, the track creates a tense, cinematic mood that proves the Stones could still evolve and surprise listeners decades into their career.

May 7, 2002: The Stones make one of their most unforgettable entrances arriving by blimp at Van Cortlandt Park for a press conference announcing the massive 2002–03 Licks World Tour. The stunt perfectly matched the band’s larger-than-life image, drawing huge media attention as fans gathered to witness the spectacle. The Licks Tour was designed to celebrate the Stones’ 40th anniversary and became famous for its mix of stadium shows, arenas, and intimate theater performances, giving audiences a rare chance to see the band in smaller venues alongside their usual giant concerts.
Ronnie, about riding the blimp (2002): “It’s getting to be like a habit. We’ve done the train, the boat, and the bridge. We’ll probably do a submarine next time”

May 7, 2008: Release of Beverley Knight‘s CD Music City Soul, with Ronnie as guest on three tracks: 1. Every Time You See Me Smile/ 2. Ain’t That A Lot Of Love/ 3. Black Butta
Recorded in Nashville, Music City Soul saw Beverley Knight embrace classic Southern soul influences inspired by legends like Aretha Franklin and Al Green. Ronnie contributes guitar work to several tracks, helping give the album its authentic old-school sound, even as critics debated whether its nostalgic style sacrificed originality and modern edge.

May 7, 2024: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona, USA (No Charlie)
Start Me Up/It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)/She’s So Cold/Angry/Beast of Burden/Monkey Man/Mess It Up/Tumbling Dice/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Band introduction/Little T&A/Sympathy for the Devil/Honky Tonk Women/Miss You/Gimme Shelter/Paint It, Black/Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Sweet Sounds of Heaven/(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
*All Photos from the IORR site

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