What year was The Rolling Stones formed?

The Rolling Stones were formed in London in 1962. The group grew from a meeting between guitarist Brian Jones and pianist Ian Stewart, with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards soon joining the lineup that would become one of rock's most enduring bands.

Their first public performance took place at the Marquee Club in London on July 12, 1962. The early band was named after “Rollin' Stone,” a Muddy Waters song, reflecting the blues tradition that shaped the Stones' sound. Original members included Jones, Jagger, Richards, Stewart, bassist Dick Taylor, and drummer Mick Avory.

The year is sometimes confused with 1963, when Charlie Watts joined the group and the classic early lineup began to take shape. The Stones' first single, “Come On,” arrived that year, while their debut album followed in 1964. Their formation therefore predates their first major commercial successes by roughly two years.