Let It Bleed

The Zoo Crew is spinning the gritty, blues-soaked track Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones from their iconic 1969 album of the same name, and Zoo Freaks, you’re in for some wild stories behind this song! One tale, shared by Keith Richards in interviews, claims the song’s title came from a grueling recording session where his fingers bled from hours of acoustic guitar work while Mick Jagger and an engineer tweaked the drum track. But there’s a darker twist: Songfacts notes that “Let It Bleed” is also slang among intravenous drug users for successfully hitting a vein, a nod to the band’s raw, hedonistic edge during that era. The song’s lyrics, packed with sex and drug references, reflect the Stones’ unapologetic lifestyle, and it’s no surprise they embraced the chaos. Fun fact: the piano on this track was played by Ian Stewart, often called the “sixth Stone,” and it’s his only appearance on the album. Another quirky tidbit? The album’s cover cake was baked by a then-unknown Delia Smith, who later became a famous UK TV chef. She was tasked with making it as gaudy as possible, using mauve icing and cherries, only learning it was for the Stones when she delivered it to the studio!

Now, let’s dive into how The Rolling Stones got their start. Formed in London in 1962, the band—originally Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, and Ian Stewart—drew heavily from Chicago blues and early rock and roll. They began as a cover band, playing tunes by legends like Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters in small clubs. Their big break came when manager Andrew Loog Oldham signed them in 1963, pushing Jagger and Richards to write original songs. Oldham also shaped their bad-boy image, positioning them as the raw, rebellious counterpoint to The Beatles. Their first single, a cover of Berry’s “Come On,” hit the UK charts in 1963, and by 1964, they were leading the British Invasion with hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Early on, Brian Jones was the band’s leader, but the Jagger-Richards songwriting duo soon took over, crafting the gritty, rhythm-driven sound that defined hard rock. Despite lineup changes—Jones left in 1969, replaced by Mick Taylor, and Watts passed in 2021—the Stones have remained a powerhouse, selling over 250 million albums worldwide.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with The Rolling Stones on their official website, where you’ll find tour dates, merch, and news. Connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content. For deeper fan vibes, check out the fan-run site It’s Only Rock’n Roll (IORR), a hub for Stones enthusiasts with forums, tour info, and more. You can also join the Rolling Stones Fans Facebook group, where fans share memorabilia, discuss albums, and plan meetups. Whether you’re grooving to Let It Bleed or diving into the band’s six-decade legacy, the Stones’ rebellious spirit keeps on rocking!