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The Rolling Stones in the press: “Roll On – The Stones walk into their third decade” (1980)

*From Trouser Press magazine, USA, Sept. 1980

*Click for more YESTERDAY’S PAPERS

Rolling Into the ’80s: Still Rockin’ Hard

As the calendar flipped to 1980, most bands that started in the early ’60s had either faded or fizzled. But not The Rolling Stones. While punk and new wave were shaking up the scene, the Stones were rolling into a brand-new decade with swagger and style. Their answer to the shifting musical tide? Emotional Rescue. Released in June 1980, the album was proof that the Stones weren’t just surviving—they were adapting.

With its mix of rock, disco grooves, and Mick Jagger’s unmistakable falsetto on the title track, Emotional Rescue felt like the band was having fun experimenting. Sure, it may not be the raw, bluesy Stones of the late ’60s or the gritty, rebellious force of the early ’70s, but it was still them—evolving, playing with sounds, and embracing the moment.

Emotional Rescue and the Stones’ Survival Game

The title track, Emotional Rescue, became an unexpected hit. With that quirky beat and spacey vibe, it landed smack in the middle of what was cool in 1980. And let’s be honest, hearing Mick croon in falsetto was kinda wild—but it worked. The rest of the album has its moments too—tracks like Dance (Pt. 1) and She’s So Cold showed the band could still kick out catchy rock riffs and keep up with the times.

What’s really cool about this era of the Stones is how they didn’t fight the changing landscape—they just slid into it with their own twist. Emotional Rescue might not be their most celebrated album, but it marks a turning point. It’s the sound of a band entering a new decade with a wink, a groove, and a whole lotta confidence. Rock on, boys. The ’80s were just getting started. (Ref. The Rolling Stones 1980)

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