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The Unstoppable Legacy: 7 Key Members Of The Rolling Stones And Their Shocking New Chapter In 2025

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The Rolling Stones continue their reign as the world's greatest rock and roll band, even as they enter a new phase in December 2025. Following the monumental success of their first album of original material in 18 years, *Hackney Diamonds*, the core trio of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood have cemented their enduring legacy, now supported by a formidable touring lineup that honors their past while driving their future. This fresh, in-depth look explores the seven most crucial figures—past and present—who define the band's six-decade journey, detailing their recent activities, the dynamic of the current members, and the status of the highly anticipated next tour following the 2023 album release.

Complete Biography and Profile of The Rolling Stones' Core Members

The heart of The Rolling Stones has always been the legendary songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, famously known as "The Glimmer Twins." With the late Charlie Watts holding down the rhythm and Ronnie Wood providing the weaving guitar interplay, this lineup stands as one of the most stable and successful in music history.

Here is a detailed profile of the essential members, past and present:

  • Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger
    • Role: Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Co-Founder
    • Born: 26 July 1943 (Age 82 in 2025)
    • Birthplace: Dartford, Kent, England
    • Years Active with The Stones: 1962–Present
    • Notable Fact: Famously attended the London School of Economics before committing to music. He was knighted in 2003.
  • Keith Richards
    • Role: Guitar, Backing Vocals, Co-Founder
    • Born: 18 December 1943 (Age 82 in 2025)
    • Birthplace: Dartford, Kent, England
    • Years Active with The Stones: 1962–Present
    • Notable Fact: Known for his distinctive open-G tuning and the iconic riff-driven sound of the band. His 2010 memoir, *Life*, was a bestseller.
  • Ronald David "Ronnie" Wood
    • Role: Guitar, Backing Vocals
    • Born: 1 June 1947 (Age 78 in 2025)
    • Birthplace: Hillingdon, Middlesex, England
    • Years Active with The Stones: 1975–Present
    • Notable Fact: A two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—once with The Rolling Stones and once with his former band, The Faces. He is also a respected visual artist.
  • Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts
    • Role: Drums
    • Born: 2 June 1941
    • Died: 24 August 2021 (Age 80)
    • Birthplace: Bloomsbury, London, England
    • Years Active with The Stones: 1963–2021
    • Notable Fact: Known as the "quiet Stone," his jazz-influenced drumming style was the crucial anchor for the band's sound. He appears posthumously on two tracks from *Hackney Diamonds*.

The Current Lineup: Who is Playing Drums and Bass in 2025?

The formal membership of The Rolling Stones remains the trio of Jagger, Richards, and Wood. However, the touring and recording lineup—the musicians essential to the band's current sound—includes two long-serving, non-official members: drummer Steve Jordan and bassist Darryl Jones. Understanding the roles of these key sidemen is crucial to grasping the band's modern identity.

Steve Jordan: The Drummer Honoring Charlie Watts' Legacy

Following the death of Charlie Watts in 2021, the question of who would fill the drum stool was paramount. Watts himself had selected Steve Jordan to deputize for him during the 2021 tour. Jordan, a renowned session musician, producer, and longtime collaborator of Keith Richards (in his band The X-Pensive Winos), formally took over.

Jordan's inclusion on the 2023 album *Hackney Diamonds*—the first album of original material without Watts—marked a significant transition. While he is not formally listed as a "full member" of The Rolling Stones, his role is indispensable. He successfully blends his own powerful, blues-rooted style with the subtle jazz swing that was the hallmark of Watts’ playing, a testament to the band’s continuity and respect for its history.

Darryl Jones: The Longest-Serving Non-Official Stone

The role of bassist has been held by Darryl Jones since 1993, when he replaced the retiring Bill Wyman. Despite having played with the band for over 30 years—longer than Wyman's original tenure—Jones remains a salaried, non-official touring and recording musician.

Jones has contributed to every Stones album since *Voodoo Lounge* (1994), including *Hackney Diamonds*. He is an exceptional musician, having previously played with jazz legends like Miles Davis and Sting. His status as a sideman, rather than a full member, is a curiosity that highlights the unique, closed-off partnership of the core three. Despite this, Jones has occasionally expressed that being granted full member status would be "wonderful."

The Hackney Diamonds Era and The Future of Touring

The 2023 release of *Hackney Diamonds* was a massive success, proving that the band could still create vital, contemporary rock music. The album topped charts in 19 countries and featured an array of high-profile guest collaborators, further adding to the band's legendary status.

The album is a key entity in the band's current topical authority, not only because it was their first original work since *A Bigger Bang* (2005) but also for its star power. The track list includes notable contributions from:

  • Paul McCartney: Playing bass on "Bite My Head Off."
  • Lady Gaga: Providing vocals on "Sweet Sounds of Heaven."
  • Elton John & Stevie Wonder: Both contributing to the album.
  • Bill Wyman: The former bassist returned for a special appearance on "Live by the Sword," marking his first recording with the band since 1993.

The Anticipated 2025/2026 Tour

As of late 2025, the focus remains on the next major tour. Following a successful North American leg, rumors of a 2025 or 2026 European tour have been circulating, though official announcements have been mixed with reports of potential delays. Regardless of the exact dates, the band’s official website encourages fans to "Check back for all the latest tour dates," confirming that new live performances are very much part of the plan.

The band's continued ability to sell out stadium shows at an advanced age—with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards both being 82 in 2025—is an unprecedented feat in rock history. The live shows will continue to feature the core trio, supported by Steve Jordan, Darryl Jones, and long-serving touring musicians like keyboardist Chuck Leavell, backing vocalist Bernard Fowler, and multi-instrumentalist Matt Clifford.

The Founders and Former Members: Brian Jones and Bill Wyman

To fully appreciate The Rolling Stones, one must look back at the original lineup that shaped their early sound and image. The band was initially formed by Brian Jones, who envisioned a blues-based group, along with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ian Stewart (who was later relegated to a touring/session role), and Bill Wyman.

Brian Jones: The Original Visionary

Brian Jones was the multi-instrumentalist who named the band after the Muddy Waters song "Rollin' Stone." He was crucial to the band's early sound, but his deteriorating health and increasing drug use led to his departure in 1969, shortly before his tragic death. His tenure, though brief, is essential to the band's mythology as the original "bad boys" of rock.

Bill Wyman: The Stoic Bassist

Bill Wyman was the band's official bassist from 1962 until he left in 1993. Known for his stoic stage presence and melodic bass lines, Wyman was part of the classic, stable lineup for over three decades. His return for a single track on *Hackney Diamonds* was a heartwarming moment for longtime fans, bridging the gap between the band's past and its current iteration.

The enduring legacy of The Rolling Stones is a complex tapestry woven from the genius of their founders, the stability of their classic lineup, and the seamless integration of modern, world-class musicians like Steve Jordan and Darryl Jones. As they continue to record new material and tease future tours in 2025, their status as rock music's most resilient and powerful entity remains unchallenged.

members of the rolling stones
members of the rolling stones

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