Rolling Stones' 'Aftermath': The Making of a Masterpiece

In 1965-1966, the Rolling Stones recorded 'Aftermath', their fourth album and first masterpiece, which marked a turning point in the band's history. Manager Andrew Loog Oldham's push for the Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership paid off with hits like 'The Last Time', '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction', and 'Get Off of My Cloud', elevating the band to rivals of the Beatles. This success shifted leadership from founder Brian Jones, whose confidence waned until he met German model Anita Pallenberg in September 1965. The Beatles' 'Rubber Soul', released December 3, 1965, spurred the Stones to begin recording 'Aftermath' that same day, with sessions producing '19th Nervous Breakdown', 'Sittin' On A Fence', 'Take It or Leave It', 'Going Home', 'Think', and 'Mother's Little Helper'. The album showcased influences from the Kinks and featured Jones's multi-instrumental talents, including sitar on 'Paint It Black', marimba on 'Under My Thumb', and dulcimer on 'Lady Jane'. At 52 minutes, 'Aftermath' was the longest rock album until Bob Dylan's 'Blonde on Blonde'. Released April 15, 1966 in the UK, it topped charts; the US version, released late June, replaced four tracks with 'Paint It Black', which became a #1 single. The album cemented the Stones as counterculture icons alongside the Beatles, Dylan, and Hendrix.