The Music of the Rolling Stones, 1962-1974

About this course: This course will survey the music of the Rolling Stones, beginning with the roots and first formation of the band in the early 1960s, and following the group through the release of It's Only Rock 'n' Roll in late 1974.

Created by:  University of Rochester

• Taught by:  John Covach, Professor of Music and Director

  Institute for Popular Music

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Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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University of Rochester The University of Rochester is one of the nation's leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University provides exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by its Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Introduction and Students of the Blues
Beginnings through the release of the early singles, and album, 1962-64.


12 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Video: General Introduction to the Course
2. Reading: Welcome
3. Reading: General Overview
4. Reading: Grading Scheme
5. Reading: About the Professor
6. Video: Organizing the Biography and Music
7. Video: The Rise of British Blues
8. Video: The Early Stones
9. Video: Andrew Loog Oldham
10. Video: First Singles and EP
11. Video: Success in the UK, Slow Progress in the US
12. Video: The Debut Album: The Rolling Stones
13. Video: Singles and an EP in 1964
14. Video: 12 x 5
15. Video: SCU: “Tell Me”, “Good Times, Bad Times”, “Congratulations”
16. Video: Week 1: Rolling Stones Books

WEEK 2


The Year of Satisfaction
1965, the big breakthrough in the US, singles and albums through December 1965.


9 videos expand

1. Video: The First Half of 1965
2. Video: Stones Singles, Late 1964 and 1965
3. Video: Rolling Stones LPs, No. 2 and Now! and Another EP
4. Video: SCU: “As Tears Go By”, “Heart of Stone”, “The Last Time”
5. Video: The Second Half of 1965, Allen Klein, and Tour Madness
6. Video: Out of Our Heads
7. Video: Late 1965: Singles and December’s Children
8. Video: SCU: “Satisfaction”, “The Spider and the Fly”, “Get Off Of My Cloud”
9. Video: Week 2: Rolling Stones Movies

Graded: Quiz - Modules 1 & 2

WEEK 3


The Music Matures
1966, singles, compilations, and the live experience.


8 videos expand

1. Video: Introduction to Week 3
2. Video: 1966 Overview
3. Video: Aftermath
4. Video: SCU: “19th Nervous Breakdown”, “Paint It Black”, “Mother’s Little Helper”, “Under My Thumb”
5. Video: Early 1967
6. Video: Between the Buttons
7. Video: SCU: “Have You Seen Your Mother”, “Baby”, “Let’s Spend the Night Together”, “Ruby Tuesday”, “Cool, Calm, Collected”
8. Video: Week Three: Instruments of The Rolling Stones

WEEK 4


Psychedelia and Beyond
1967 and the rise of psychedelia, in the shadow of the Beatles?


7 videos expand

1. Video: Introduction and 1967 in Review
2. Video: Summer Flowers and Singles
3. Video: Their Satanic Majesties Request
4. Video: SCU: “We Love You”, “Dandelion”, “In Another Land”, “The Lantern”, “She’s A Rainbow”, “2000 Light Years From Home”
5. Video: 1968 in Review
6. Video: Beggars Banquet
7. Video: SCU: “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, “Street Fighting Man”, “No Expectations”, “Sympathy for the Devil”

Graded: Quiz - Modules 3 & 4

WEEK 5


Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers
The Stones leave peace and love behind, jumping and fighting with some sympathy for the Devil, 1968-69.


6 videos expand

1. Video: Introduction and 1969 Overview
2. Video: Let It Bleed
3. Video: SCU: “Honky Tonk Women”, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, “Gimme Shelter”, “Let It Bleed”, “Midnight Rambler”
4. Video: 1970 Overview and Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out
5. Video: Sticky Fingers
6. Video: SCU: “Brown Sugar”, “Wild Horses”, “Bitch”, “Dead Flowers”

WEEK 6


Exile on Main Street
The band defines 70s rock with two classic albums, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street, 1970-72.


6 videos expand

1. Video: Introduction, 1971-72 Events
2. Video: Exile on Main Street
3. Video: SCU: Sides 1 & 2: “Rocks Off”, “Casino Boogie”, “Tumbling Dice”, “Loving Cup”
4. Video: The 1972 US Tour and an Overview
5. Video: SCU: Sides 3 & 4: “Happy”, “All Down the Line”, “Shine a Light”
6. Video: Stones Styles: The Big Picture

Graded: Quiz - Modules 5 & 6

WEEK 7


The End of an Era
Continuing at the height of their musical powers, the group releases Goat's Head Soup and It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, 1973-74.


6 videos expand

1. Video: Introduction and 1973 Overview
2. Video: Goats Head Soup (11:20)
3. Video: SCU: “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker),” “Angie,” “Can You Hear the Music,” “Star Star”
4. Video: 1974 Overview
5. Video: It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll
6. Video: SCU: “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll,” “Time Waits for No One,” “Dance Little Sister,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”

Graded: Final Exam