Who Influenced the Rolling Stones?

The Rolling Stones have reached their 70s yet they keep touring in front of sold out crowds around the world. Moving past the days of all night parties fueled by drugs and drink, the band members keep themselves in shape for the long rocking sets they perform live. When the band started out, they could have been called a Chicago Blues tribute band. Brian Jones (1942 - 1969), Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards were greatly influenced by the electric blues musicians from Chicago. Music from blues legends like Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers were intertwined with the young British band's music. Brian Jones named the band after the Muddy Waters song "Rollin' Stone." Many of the Stones' early songs were blues covers. Keith Richards said, "When we started the Rolling Stones, we were just little kids, right? We felt we had some of the licks down, but our aim was to turn other people on to Muddy Waters." The Stones were also influenced by non-blues musicians such as Buddy Holly and James Brown and mixed them with the blues to make some of the best rock records of all time in the 1960s and 1970s. On what would have been Brian Jones' 75th birthday, we take a look at blues artists who have influenced the Rolling Stones.

Allee Willis (1947–2019), songwriter who wrote “Friends” theme and “September”

Allee Willis was a songwriter who was nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the theme song to “Friends,” “I’ll Be There for You.” She worked with Earth, Wind & Fire frequently, co-writing their hits including “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “In the Stone.” Willis won two Grammy Awards, one for co-writing the music and lyrics for the stage adaptation of “The Color Purple,” and the other for her work for the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack, for which she co-wrote the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance” and Patti LaBelle’s “Stir it Up.” Her other notable songwriting credits include the Pet Shop Boys’ “What Have I Done to Deserve This” and Bonnie Raitt’s “Got You on My Mind.” She was a 2018 inductee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Robert Hunter (1941–2019), Grateful Dead lyricist

Wrote lyrics for many Grateful Dead songs including “Dark Star” and “Truckin'.”

Ric Ocasek (1944–2019), lead singer of the Cars

Ric Ocasek was the lead singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for The Cars, known for a string of hits in the 1970s and ‘80s including “Just What I Needed,” “Shake it Up,” and “Drive.” Ocasek’s solo career included the hit single “Emotion in Motion.”

Top Funeral Songs 🎵

This article examines the deep emotional connection between music and funerals, explaining how songs and hymns help families honor loved ones, process grief, and find comfort during memorial services. It presents a curated list of 76 popular funeral and celebration-of-life songs, organized by themes such as remembering parents, partners, or children, as well as religious, uplifting, humorous, love, and alternative music choices. The article serves as a practical guide for selecting meaningful music that reflects personal memories and supports emotional healing.

Hal Blaine (1929–2019), drummer who defined the pop music of a generation

Hal Blaine was the drummer for the Wrecking Crew, the session band that played on some of the greatest pop and rock hits of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Peggy Sue Gerron (1940–2018), inspiration for the Buddy Holly song

“Peggy Sue” was a top 3 hit song for Buddy Holly in 1957…

In the Johnny Cash Museum, the singer's spirit lives on

After Cash's death, one fan-turned-friend became the champion of his legacy.

Ed King (1949–2018), Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist

Co-wrote the classic rock song “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Aretha Franklin (1942–2018), the "Queen of Soul"

Aretha Franklin (1942–2018) was affectionately called “the Queen of Soul.” Blessed with an incredible voice, she was a giant of soul music. Franklin’s signature song was her version of Otis Redding’s “Respect,” released in 1967. Her many hit songs included “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Freeway of Love,” and “Rock Steady.”

Robert Knight (1945–2017), “Everlasting Love” singer

Robert Knight, singer on the original version of the iconic song “Everlasting Love,” has died at the age of 72, according to .

Why Choosing Funeral Music is So Important

It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning.

Swingin' in the Season with Sammy

Sammy Davis Jr. , aka , was no ordinary entertainer. In fact, his life and career were rather extraordinary.

Music for Funerals and Memorial Services

Music has played a role in funerals since ancient times.

P-Funkers of the Past

We remember greats from the legendary Parliament-Funkadelic family who are no longer with us.

Prince (1958–2016), legendary musician

Prince Rogers Nelson, the musical superstar known better simply as Prince, died April 21. He was 57.

5 Times When We Fell in Love with Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson, the musical superstar known better simply as Prince, . Though he'd been ill for weeks prior, the 57-year-old's death came as a shock to fans worldwide. Below, we revisit five times when The Purple One won our hearts.

Merle Haggard: 5 Songs to Remember Him By

died on April 6, 2016 –his 79th birthday –but his songslive on. He serenaded listeners for decades, creating what came to be known as “outlaw countryâ€9d as he moved fromthe lush “Nashville Soundâ€9d of mainstream country to a “Bakersfield Soundâ€9d full of twangy guitars and fiddles.He recorded38 No. 1 hits and landednumerous accolades, frommultiple Grammy awards to a placein the Country Music Hall of Fame. Here are five songs to remember him by.

11 Top Funeral Songs

Every life has a soundtrack—songs that echo the depth of our love and remind us of our loved ones.

Shel Silverstein Set to Music

Today we're celebrating the life and work of chart-topping, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Shel Silverstein .

Lou Reed Lives on in These Five Songs

Lou Reed's decades-long career was like few others. The singer, born March 2, 1942, started out with the critically acclaimed Velvet Underground. The band, relatively unknown while active, influenced generations of musicians in a wave that started in the 1960s and still grows today. As a solo artist, he swooped from satisfying and uncomplicated rock 'n' roll to experimental sounds that challenged and delighted his most dedicated fans (while baffling most everyone else). Reed's catalog is so diverse and extensive that it's hard to say which songs were his "best." Every fan would probably come up with a different list; therefore, we're going with five songs that, taken together, offer listeners an auditory tour of how his career developed through the years.

The Multitalented Billy Preston

Keyboardist could play it all—gospel and rock, classical and punk, show tunes, country, blues and funk—and he did just that, either on his own or alongside some of the biggest names in music. During his storied career, which was cut short when he , 2006 at age 59, Preston recorded with the likes of the Rolling Stones, , Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, , and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others. He earned the moniker "the Fifth Beatle" because he is the only musician to share label credit with —on 1969's "Get Back."

The Greatest Elvis Song of All Time

Sixteen Elvis Presley songs entered the arena. All were hit singles, all beloved by his fans – but only one could win...

The Motown Sound

One of the hottest musical styles of the 1960s was also one of the simplest. The creators of the Motown sound would be the first to acknowledge that creating a Motown hit wasn't rocket science. Their devotion to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid), combined with a group of talented musicians and songwriters, plus a dash of Detroit spirit, added up to a winning formula that kept America dancing for a decade and beyond. We're remembering a few of the stars and songs that made Motown sound good.

Tom Wilson Shaped the '60s Sound

Tom Wilson may not be a household name, but the musicians he worked with certainly are. From Bob Dylan to Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Simon & Garfunkel to The Velvet Underground, Wilson produced some of the best of 1960s’ rock ‘n’ roll. The songs he produced at Columbia and Verve Records have made an indelible mark on rock history, going from cutting edge hits to enduring classics.

The Michael Jackson 5

The King of Pop was wildly successful both as a solo artist and with his brothers, churning out some of the best-selling and most critically-acclaimed albums of all time. But he also lent his incredible talent to others’ music, guest singing with many musicians over the years. Whether they were his sisters and brothers, his friends, or big groups coming together for worthy causes, the recording stars of the 1980s and '90s knew their songs would turn out even better with a little help from MJ.

Sammy Cahn and Frank Sinatra

Sammy Cahn was born to write for Frank Sinatra...

Ray Whitley's Summer Hits

The sounds of summer hit a somber note with the death of songwriter Ray Whitley.

George Jones: 5 Greatest

In true country style, George Jones sang about all of life – the good, the bad and the ugly. In memory of the country legend, here are five of his very best songs.

The Best of Muddy Waters

One hundred years of Muddy Waters — that's what we're celebrating today. Waters was born April 4, 1913, and his blues legacy is as deep and wide as the river his name evokes.

Crazy for Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline changed the face of country music.

Oscar Peterson's Jazzy Christmas

Oscar Peterson died just before Christmas 2008. We remember him and the musical way he celebrated the holiday season.

A Lou Rawls Christmas

had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game," once said. That velvety voice sounds good all year long, but never quite as wonderful as during the holidays.

Bobby Hatfield, Blue-Eyed Soul

As one-half of the singing duo the Righteous Brothers, Bobby Hatfield was righteous indeed...

John Lee Hooker: Boom Boom Boom Boom

Bluesman John Lee Hooker (1917–2001) was best known for an iconic song that perfectly embodied his trademark "talking blues" style.

Woody Guthrie: From Sea to Shining Sea

Here are 10 things you may (or may not) know about the Dust Bowl Troubadour, plus a few of our favorite Woody Guthrie songs.

Ain’t No Man Like Levi Stubbs

Levi Stubbs was a singer and a gentleman.

Curtis Mayfield: The Sound of Civil Rights

Curtis Mayfield, born 70 years ago today, wrote music that inspired a generation and a movement...

Ella Fitzgerald, Glamour Girl

We've got to beg to differ with Ella. The way we see it, not only did Ella Fitzgerald have an amazing talent; she was absolutely gorgeous too.

The Many Moods of Henry Mancini

Henry Mancini wrote some of the coolest film and TV scores of all time. His jazzy themes and strings-heavy ballads defined movie music in the 1960s.

Jump for June Pointer

June Pointer (1953–2006) was the youngest of the Pointer Sisters—and she was the first of the famous singing sisters to pass away.

Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit

In 1939, took a bold step—bold even for a Black woman who rose from a troubled childhood in a segregated country to become one of the most celebrated singers of her time. In that year, disgusted with the racism she saw all around her, she recorded “Strange Fruit.” The song’s bluntly poignant descriptions of lynchings of Black people were shocking and eye-opening, and it became Holiday’s deeply effective closing song for her live performances.

We Will Always Love Whitney

2012's Grammy awards came at a sad and shocking time for the music world: just one day before the award ceremony, Whitney Houston died at age 48.

Jackie Wilson, Mr. Excitement

Question: How do you choose just one song with which to remember Jackie Wilson, who ?

Clarence Clemons' Greatest Hits

Since hisdeath on June 18, 2011, fans of Clarence Clemons have been racing to listen to The Big Man's spectacular saxophone work. We at Legacy.com are among them.

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On

Marvin Gaye personified the changing landscape of R&B in a career that spanned not just the tumultuous 1960s, but 26 years that saw the art form go from innocent street corner doo-wop to the sexually charged soul music of the 1980s. No mere dabbler or genre-hopper, with each reinvention Gaye broke new ground and created classic records still in heavy rotation around the world. He scored 41 Billboard Top 40 hits in all—including reworked material released nearly two decades after his death. According to Forbes , in 2008 he ranked 13th in posthumous performer earnings, pulling in $3.5 million in royalties, a tribute to how much his music remains with us.

The Songs of Roy Orbison

Rock legend Roy Orbison died Dec. 6, 1988. Today we take a look at the afterlife of his signature tunes.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

We remember the Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the worst (and best-known) nautical disasters in American history.

The Disappointing Career of George Weiss

George Weiss wrote classic songs like "What A Wonderful World" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" – so it may come as a surprise that anyone believed he'd made the wrong career choice.