The Little-Known Facts About The Rolling Stones' First Gig

Per Rolling Stone, the band borrowed money from Jagger's dad to rent equipment for the debut show. Taking on the name of "The Rollin' Stones", borrowing the moniker from a Muddy Waters album, the line-up of the night consisted of would-be superstars Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones. The musicians were assisted with Ian Stewart on keys and Dick Taylor on bass, although it is disputed whether Tony Chapman or Mick Avory (of The Kinks' fame) took over drumming duties. In fact, Richards insisted in his 2010 memoir "Life" that Avory was on the roster.

The setlist is also somewhat controversial, but it has been largely accepted that songs by Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed and Elmore James, among others, were played to the small audience. Richard also recalls playing tunes such as "Dust My Broom," "Confessin' the Blues" and "Got My Mojo Working" in his memoir.

"It is quite amazing when you think about it," Mick Jagger told Rolling Stone in 2012, reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the first gig. "But it was so long ago. Some of us are still here, but it's a very different group than the one that played 50 years ago."

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