The Stones in “Exile” Fifty Years Later

The Rolling Stones double album “Exile On Main Street” turns fifty this week.  This project, which is considered by many some of the finest work the Stones had ever done was really the band leaving England and exiling themselves in France to a rented house leased to Keith Richards. The Stones were tax exiles leaving England because of the high rate of taxes on high earners of up to 93%! The band holed up in the South of France in Nellcote to record in the basement of Keith Richard’s rented villa and recording began in mid-1971. The tracks recorded in France were added to tracks that were recorded from 1969-1971…thus making “Exile On Main Street” The Rolling Stones first double album. The album was eventually finished at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles and the Stones embarked on their 1972 American Tour. “Exile On Main Street” features such Rolling Stones staples “Tumbling Dice”, “Happy,” and “All Down The Line”.  After learning of the 50^th anniversary of this iconic Stones double album, it just seems like yesterday getting an advance on my allowance to buy this project at the local record store. It had mixed reviews from my parents, but a strong, enthusiastic response from my friends…and the album today is another timeless classic from that era of rock and roll music. A remaster of” Exile On Main Street” was issued in 2010; Besides the 50^th anniversary of “Exile On Main Street” The Stones are releasing another box set: “The Rolling Stones Singles: 1963-1966” on June 10th and look for their 1977 concert at the El Mucambo in Toronto out soon.