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!
Rolling Stones Unreleased: ‘Reelin’ and Rockin’
Written by: Chuck Berry Recorded: Chess Studios, Chicago, USA, June 10-11 1964
From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: Another Chuck Berry song performed at a sedate, relaxed pace. The two lead guitars are distinctive. Charlie Watts drums sound is the metronome of the song as he perfectly controls the rest of the band. Mick Jagger’s vocals are an intrinsic part of the three and a half minute track as he guides the musicians.
Rolling Stones Revisit Chuck Berry with Understated Power
In June 1964 the Rolling Stones returned to Chicago’s Chess Studios to, among other cuts, lay down their version of Chuck Berry’s Reelin’ and Rockin’. But instead of mimicking the high-octane energy Berry was known for, the Stones opted for a more measured approach. The track grooves with a relaxed, almost conversational rhythm—an early sign of the band’s instinct to reinterpret rather than replicate. Charlie Watts, ever the steady hand behind the kit, becomes the song’s pulse, providing a metronomic beat that anchors the entire performance. His drumming doesn’t show off; it commands. The dual guitars, trading clean, melodic leads, shimmer with clarity and restraint. And then there’s Mick Jagger—half storyteller, half bandleader—delivering vocals that don’t overpower but instead knit the performance together. His presence on the track is less about flash and more about feel, guiding the musicians through every verse and refrain with charismatic subtlety. (Ref. Rolling Stones unreleased 1964)
A Cool, Confident Take on Rock ‘n’ Roll Roots
Reelin’ and Rockin’ was already a rock ‘n’ roll staple when the Stones took it on. But their interpretation doesn’t chase Berry’s manic tempo. Instead, the Stones slow things down, letting the groove breathe. It’s a confident move for a young band still carving out their identity—especially in the hallowed space of Chess Studios, where their idols recorded. The result is a laid-back yet tight rendition that highlights the band’s collective musical intuition. While not one of their most explosive tracks, it’s a telling snapshot of the Stones’ respect for the genre’s roots—and their emerging ability to bend it in their own image. (Ref. Rolling Stones unreleased 1964)
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!
