The story of how The Rolling Stones, one of rock's most iconic bands, found their first hit single is a tale of unexpected connections and songwriting fate. But who would've guessed that it all began with Gene Pitney?
It's hard to imagine a time when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards weren't synonymous with rock and roll royalty. Yet, in their early days, the Stones were just a group of teenage blues enthusiasts. Their transformation into musical legends can be traced back to a series of events involving the American singer, Gene Pitney.
As the Stones' manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, pushed Jagger and Richards to write original songs, the duo found themselves in a creative conundrum. Their first attempt, 'As Tears Go By', was a far cry from the rebellious rock anthems they'd later become known for. This song, given to Marianne Faithfull, became a hit in 1964, but it wasn't the Stones' breakthrough.
And here's where it gets interesting: The first Jagger-Richards song to chart in the UK was 'That Girl Belongs To Yesterday', but it wasn't meant for the Stones. The song, originally written for George Bean, was rearranged and recorded by Gene Pitney. This version became a top-ten hit, giving the Jagger-Richards partnership their first taste of success.
But why didn't the Stones record it themselves? The answer lies in the song's style, which didn't align with the band's rock image at the time. It was Pitney's interpretation that brought the song to life, setting the stage for the Jagger-Richards songwriting duo to become a force in the music industry.
By the time the Stones released their first original number-one hit, 'The Last Time', Pitney's version had already paved the way. Without that fateful recording, the Stones' journey to the top might have been very different. Could it be that Gene Pitney's influence is an overlooked chapter in rock history?
This narrative begs the question: How much of the Stones' success can be attributed to the early contributions of others? Share your thoughts on this intriguing twist in the tale of one of rock's greatest bands.
