More than six decades after forming one of rock’s most influential bands, The Rolling Stones say their lasting success comes down to a simple formula that has stood the test of time.
Speaking with Zane Lowe, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood reflected on what has allowed the legendary group to remain together while so many others have fallen apart.
Wood said one of the biggest factors is that the band members maintain separate personal lives rather than spending all their time together. When they reunite for recording sessions, the excitement feels fresh, creating the same spark that first brought them together.
Richards compared the band’s relationship to a long marriage, saying their shared musical instincts have created a bond that is difficult to explain but impossible to replace. Despite disagreements over the years, he believes that unique connection has always pulled them back together.
Both Richards and Wood praised Jagger’s leadership, describing him as the creative engine that keeps projects moving. They noted that coordinating schedules can be challenging, but once everyone is in the studio, the chemistry quickly returns.
Jagger offered another perspective on the band’s extraordinary run, saying success has played an equally important role. He acknowledged that while not every release has been a triumph, the group’s consistent achievements have provided the motivation to continue creating music together.
The conversation arrives as The Rolling Stones celebrate the release of their latest album, Foreign Tongues, adding another chapter to a career that began in London in 1962 and has become one of the most enduring stories in rock history.
