Regardless of what they're like now, from 1968 to 1972 no one-NO ONE- could touch them. Beggar's Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main Street, some of the greatest hard rockin' bluesy depravity ever recorded.

Pretty much like 99% of acts that have been going on for eons, the Stones started off well but as they got older began to lose the plot. When Brian Jones and Mick Taylor were in the band they were pretty good, churning out a string of classic singles. It all started going pear shaped when Ron Wood joined. They shouldve called it a day before they hit 40 as they've done nothing particularly memorable over the last 20 years or so. So, pre 1975 = 5 stars. post 1975 = 2 stars

Sympathy for the Devil, You Can't Always get What You want, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Wild Horses and Satisfaction are some of the better songs of all time, and they have too many other excellent songs to mention, e.g. Not Fade Away and It's Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It). Also, their version of Like a Rolling Stone was easily as good as, and debatably better than Bob Dylan's.

i can't believe the stones got such a low rating. i think they've softened up lately, but, i mean, come on, they're like, 80 years old! Back in their day they were the band. i have major respect for them for this reason. although their concert for SARS was a sucktacular event (three songs!?) you have to give them credit for everything they've done for music

Rating and commenting upon the Rolling Stones is like rating/commenting on Elvis. As one is torn between the young, hip Elvis and the Vegas, polyester Elvis, one is torn between the raw, energetic, creative Stones and the tired, commerical, and lingering Stones. The truth is that these artists chose to continue, and they are therefore responsible for their entire careers. To sum it up, the Stones were the poster children for the rock 'n roll livestyle, the self proclaimed World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band; however, the greatest musicians know that rock 'n roll is a young man's (or woman's) game, yet the Stones apparently don't. Nevertheless, the success and influence of the Stones is undeniable since, as one of the leaders of the British Invasion, the band is responsible for some of the most recognizable songs and guitar riffs in musical history (so recognizable and well known in fact that examples are unnecessary). However, the band did not age well during the disco, punk, and new wave eras, with the sole exceptions (in my opinion) being Some Girls (1978) and Tatoo You (1981). Given that the Stones were so prolific, most fans are satisfied with one or more of the compilation releases; however, before deciding on Forty Licks (2002), one may wish to compare track lists with the separate compiltations Hot Rocks, 1964-1971 (released in 1972) and Jump Back: The Best Of The Rolling Stones 1971-1993 (released in 1993).

some of their stuff rocks; some of it sucks donkey dingee

The Stones are a legend in their own right. However, some of their stuff has been played on the radio WAY TOO MUCH!!!!! I swear, I hear Gimme Shelter and Sympathy for the Devil on the radio too much.

I know Mick Jagger is notorious for being a bad boy but I always liked it when he sang the sad, romantic songs like "Angie" "Ruby Tuesday" and "As Tears Go By". There's just something so touching about this tough guy being so tender..Anyway, the Stones were a good band who reached the peak in the late 60s, but still had some good stuff in the late 70s and early 80s. But I kind of wished they had retired at their peak instead of dragging it out.

The World's Most Overrated Rock and Roll Band. These guys meant well, and I have to respect them because of their allegiance to the greatest of roots music, but this band is nothing more than a bunch of tightassed whiteboys from England doing music that amounts to cheap knockoffs of The Real Thing, namely Black American blues of the immediate Post-War years. The result is an adultered, watered-down verion of the genuine article, or merely a form of rock and roll that's well-informed by its blues precursors. Some of their classic songs are very fine, but quite a few of them are juvenile, mawkish, and didn't age very well over time. This is also another act that didn't retire gracefully, but rather continues to embarass itself by putting forth tired geriatric performances on tour, thereby fleecing concert-goers who shell out ridiculously high prices to see these fossils. No shame in the game of Mick and the boys as they laugh all the way to the bank, or the detox center, depending...

Well here they are. the Stones play immediately recognizable rock and roll, but like alot of bands it's hard for me to buy one of their records since I've already heard all their songs on the radio. They have a great deal of variety in their body of work. I just never liked Mick Jagger, I never liked their choice of sound quality, and as much as I respect this band, they are far from a favorite.

World's greatest rock band? Probably, although the Dead would come near the top too, in my book. I remember going to a Catholic girl's school hop in New Jersey in 1964 or '65 and sticking one of the Stones' first albums on the turntable and telling the nuns in charge that this was the music that rules now. I saw them live in 1969 and they still rocked then (although a bit past their early peak by that time).

I wish some of these geriatric bands would just get off the stage. They are only out to make a quick buck before they are too old to sing anymore. I am really trying hard not to be agist, but come on! It might be ok if the music didn't cause extreme boredom, and actually meant something. The Rolling Stones only played songs that were pop and bubble gum sounding, NONE of their songs ever had any real meaning to them. And they were definately never deep. And if you were to judge this band by their looks and appearance like the majority of rateitall reviewers, they would definately get a big fat one zero, lmao ! They are dog ugly.

Just a bunch of geezers that f*ck chicks young enough to be their daughters. Which is rather gross unless you have a diaper or wrinkle fetish.

I have always been a major Rolling Stones fan, actually more of a Mick Jagger fan to be precise, but a fan. BUT, i have since changed my opinion of this group. When Mick JAgger came out with "God gave me..." I loved it! Then I found out that he did not write the song, he does not play any instrument of any kind. He did nothing to contribute to the success of this hit except sing it with Lenny Kravitz, but Lenny Kravitz could have made this a hit on his own. I don't have much respect for people that ride on the coat tails of talent when they have none themselves, which I have come to beleive that the Rolling Stones have very little of. THey are a product of good management with a showboat at centre stage.

They've always been way overrated.

Wild horses is amazing especialy but they're all great

Their only really good song was "Under My Thumb."

Their Voodoo Lounge concert was outstanding.

An orginal band who has produced some great tunes,and I think " it's only Rock and Roll"is a real signature form the whole embodyment of this stlye of music.

One of the best poprock bands in history, plain, simple catchy songs with some great riffs. By The Way, did Charlie Watts always look about 70?

The Greatest Rock and Roll band in the world.

This is good... they have some really good songs

amazing live act & still bringing in the bling bling amazing classic group! Major props!

WARNING OF A BAD ROLLING STONES BUSINESS PRACTICE & SPAMMER, ETC.!!! This is a warning to all Stones fans about a bad Rolling Stones business practice, rip-off, con artist, spammer, etc.!!!: This whole thread on this page: http://novogate.com/board/968/143828-1.html (copy and paste the above URL into your browser's Address or Location window to go there) and which continues on this page: http://novogate.com/board/968/143828-2.html (copy and paste the above URL into your browser's Address or Location window to go there) is about an unofficial Rolling Stones fan club called: the Rolling Stones Fan Club Office and their fanzine, the Stones Planet fanzine, and the con artist who runs the Scandinavian and UK, etc., part of that fan club, Charlotte Schultz. This is a warning to ANYONE, Stones fans and all consumers alike, who plan to do ANY type of business with this con artist or fan club and/or join this fan club, etc., to NOT DO SO AND/OR "BUYER BEWARE", ETC., because this woman has not only been well-known to rip-off Stones fans of at LEAST hundreds of dollars PER PERSON and, ALSO, done in extremely cruel ways in the past but continues to spam the above message board over a period of SEVERAL YEARS and do NUMEROUS things that other people know about (that I, actually, don't know about, as far as I'm aware)... Anyways, please see the above URLs/links to read more information about this in greater detail and KEEP THE INTERNET CLEAN OF CROOKS!!! :) Take care and have a GREAT weekend!!! :) Sincerely, Martha Packard

I ahve always liked their music until today when I found the lyrics to Brown Sugar. I find it very offensive. It is very disappointing to find that a band that I have liked for so long is not what it seems.

Rolling Coffins. Stop already.

The greatest rock and roll band in the world for 40 years now, the Rolling Stones! The Rolling Stones!

I don't know a lot of Stones songs, but I hope to get forty licks soon. I love that thing with the tongue! I'm gonna get a shirt with a big tongue on it then. The Stones were great because they were the opposite of the beatles! They had long hair and did drugs, not something to be admired necessarily, but they lived the lifestyly, and they had fun, and that helped make them fun to listen to.

The 3 is for last nights concert on HBO. I saw them live in Miami in October and they were good but I think the tour has taken it's toll on the old boys. Last night they looked haggard and strung out, their play was sloppy (sounded like a bad cover band) and then when Sheryl Crow came out to sing with Jagger on Honky Tonk Women, I'd had enough. Fine ass chick but she shouldn't sing. Go home and get some rest boys.

I base this rating primarily on their early-seventies work, which was The Music of My Life, with bonus points for their perseverance in the face of advancing age (not to mention years of dissipation catching up with them) though of late they're more to be applauded for dragging their beat-up carcasses onto the stage every night than for their music.

A few good songs in the sixties, but it has been downhill ever since. They are the worst live band I have ever seen. When are they going to retire?

greatest rock band of all time

Great melody and lyrics.

they are one of those bands that works hard to get to the top but once they get there they dont have o work hardd to stay there because they are bloody brialliant -not jbjb its jbjbs friend

Why don't the Rolling Stones admit that they are spying on a woman in Australia, since 1986, with a satelite telescope for inspiration and kicks?

Along with Led Zeppelin, the Stones incorporated a lot of blues into their songs which showed just how important early R&B and soul music was to the birth of rock and roll, the British Invasion, and beyond.

it is a sad day when journey and the rolling stones have the same rating that is something that in gods world should not happen.... GOD life is curel.... you never see it comming then it hits you in the ass.... damn you young asses all to hell i say to hell with your souless asses to hell i say again

The greatest Rock and Roll band ever!

Never understood why anyone would be so enthralled by this band...

The rolling stones are the best, but the beatles are the greatest!

I've enjoyed their work from the start (tho' I have to say Mick kinda scared me when I was a little kid 0o:). They've had some phenominal hits over a very long period of time. "Sympathy for the Devil" is one of the more bizare yet compelling...if you look at it a certain way it can remind you of C.S. Lewis' "Srewtape Letters" - not that it was actually meant to. I've heard most of their songs so many times they're permanently imprinted on my brain. They serve as a kind of musical constant...when scores of bands have crashed, burned and evaporated you look around and there's Mick and the Stones...and, if rumor is correct, Jagger on the verge of being knighted no less. Too funny!

The stones are a band that have great songs, and yet annoying songs as well. I'll listen to 'Paint it Black', 'GimmeShelter', 'Satisfaction','Jumpin Jack Flash', 'It's only rock N Roll', and 'Flick the swixh.' Yet, If I have to hear the played out 'Start me up'. medioker 'Brown Suger' or ay of their DISCo related songs, I think I'll puke!

Longevity rivaling Dick Clark, incredible songwriting, larger than life lead singer, and pure rock n' roll sound, what more can you ask for?

I'm sorry but I never understood what the appeal is supposed to be. I love music of the 50s and 60s, including the Beatles. I understand movers, shakers and innovators. But The Stones? Is it just because of their "bad boy" image or what? A couple of their songs are okay. I would rate them as okay for that reason, but I minus a point because of the moral decadence they seem to proudly represent.

The No. 1 band of all time!!!!!

it is real sick that so many pepoel have given rock n rolls finest a bad reveiw they r the greatest im 20 i love the stones pepoel have no apreciation of good music theas days lisen to flowers steel wheels out of heads decembers children thats music

They call themselves "The World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band". If they're wrong, it's not by much. Where's the weakness? Jagger can sing. Jagger can sing hard rock, he can sing soft rock, he can sing the blues, and he makes you feel it - whether we're talking when he came here to perform in his early 20s, or now, somewhere around 60. Keith Richards can play the guitar. Ron Wood can play bass. Bill Wyman on the drums. Still haven't found a weakness. And, the versatility of their music is absolutely incredible. Take, for exmaple, the hard-driving (at least for the mid-60s) Satisfaction, or the hauntingly eerie "Gimme Shelter". Want a rock festival movie? Woodstock's great, but Gimme Shelter, now we're in a whole other league. While only my 2nd favorite, I don't mind them calling themselves "The World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band".

Over rated!

For a garage band whose members could barely tune their instruments, they've done well. Mainly thru the hype, months or more in the studio to "make it right", sticking to simple chord changes and the lead singer's personality, they are a mainstay in Pop music. Over the years most of these guys have learned how to play and have produced some monster hits, too many to mention. And they can play live. Not too many modern bands can pull that off. The Boys do Rock and that's what counts.

At one time, you rocked. Now, you don't.