The Rolling Stones have never shied away from their imperfections. Long celebrated as rock’s wildest band, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards embraced their lawless image, yet they consistently delivered remarkable music.
The band’s notorious connection to drugs is well-documented, beginning early in their career and culminating in a scandalous 1967 drug bust at Keith Richards’ Redlands home, which painted them as tabloid villains.
While many in London dabbled with substances, the Stones’ notoriety made them prime targets. Ironically, this reputation only increased their appeal among fans.
However, Jagger later acknowledged that their drug use hindered their creativity and distracted them from their music. One particular album became a source of regret for him: Their Satanic Majesties Request.
Recorded after the Redlands bust, this album should have been a refuge during a turbulent time. Unfortunately, the sessions were chaotic and disorganized.
Bill Wyman voiced his frustrations about the recording atmosphere, stating, “Every day at the studio, it was a lottery as to who would turn up and what – if any – positive contribution they would make when they did.”
The presence of entourage members further complicated matters, leaving Wyman and manager Andrew Oldham exasperated. While this disarray contributed to the album’s experimental charm, it ultimately led to its incoherence. Jagger is not particularly proud of the final product.
In a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone, he reflected, “We were on acid… It was really silly. But we enjoyed it. Also, we did it to piss Andrew off.” Their erratic behavior ultimately alienated Oldham, who resigned during the album’s production.
Jagger admitted, “I probably started to take too many drugs… I think it’s a sound experience, really, rather than a song experience.”
Although standout tracks like “She’s a Rainbow” and “2000 Light Years From Home” emerged, much of the rest felt lackluster.
Keith Richards echoed Jagger’s views in a 2015 Esquire interview, likening Their Satanic Majesties Request to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. He suggested both albums were muddled: “Oh, if you can make a load of shit, so can we.”
In retrospect, while Their Satanic Majesties Request showcases glimpses of brilliance, the drugs that inspired some of its creativity ultimately held the band back. Jagger has since become skeptical about the idea that substances enhance the creative process.
