Sticky Fingers Is Released

Setting the scene

The Rolling Stones left Britain in 1971 for tax exile in France, recording a double album's worth of material amid parties at Nellcôte villa. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards's songwriting partnership peaked with blues, country, and swagger. Andy Warhol's Factory designed cover art that became merchandising gold.

What happened

Sticky Fingers was released on April 23, 1971, with Brown Sugar, Wild Horses, and Can't You Hear Me Knocking. The working zip on jeans cover and Warhol's lips logo were provocative retail gimmicks. Saxophonist Bobby Keys and pianist Billy Preston expanded the band's Southern sound.

Why it still matters

The album hit number one on both sides of the Atlantic and defined 1970s rock decadence before Altamont's darker shadow lingered. Wild Horses became one of the most covered ballads in rock. Memorable detail: the zipper on early vinyl copies actually dented adjacent records in stores until packaging was redesigned.

Background

Andy Warhol's cover art became iconic merchandising.