She’s a Rainbow

It was a different time and a different place,all around the word youths were experimenting with new styles and new music.A upheaval in tradition that had never been seen before.Although in the United States the Vietnam war ,which was raging in 1967,was the lighting rod which united the youths into fits of rebellion and creativity,this culture of upheaval spread round the world..including to England ,home of many of the musical ringleaders of the hippie revolution.Even Americans ,like Jimi Hendrix found fame by relocating to the swinging London of the 60's.Of course ,they still say Elvis was the king of rock and roll; but to the teens of the 60's he was old hat..a "greaser".No ;the kings were the Beatles,love them or hate them no one who grew up then would dare challenge there popularity and power.I witnessed "Help";a movie ,featuring the Beatles ,filled with screaming teens girls so loud the movie was inaudible.It's hard now- a- days to appreciate this level of fanaticism among fans.In those days ,although booming,the music scene was more in-bred.Musicains tend to be a catty bunch ,but back then it was the peace and love generation,so they did there best to at least disguise there jealous feeling.The Music scene had it's groupies and parties and many of the musicians of a certain caliper went to the same parties and dated the same women.It was always said that the "good girls" liked the Beatles,and the"bad girls" liked ....yup .....The Rolling Stones. The Rolling Stones.... who met at Art school sounded nothing like what one would expect to come out of a art school ..(well maybe surreal art).The Rolling Stones then , were a sort of R & B; boy band.Much of there material was Chuck Berry and other Black R&B artists from the states.Signed when Mick Jagger was 16 to London records.They capitalized on the cute factor(like Justin Timberlake ..who was on stage at the Toronto Sars festival with the Rolling Stones whilst being pelted with bottles) .They had a few catchy songs (like This may be the last time ) But they enjoyed the Rock Star life; style palling around with such luminaries of the day as Eric Burden and the Animals .Eric had a huge hit with house of the rising sun .And it is obvious the Rolling Stones tried to emulate his dark moody sound ....with some sucsess,even covering one of his hit's.But wait..why were the Rolling Stones ,now know known to be prolific songwriters doing covers so early in their career? .Well as many can see now,but no one knew then .that was a golden age for rock music, new artists and unique new sounds were coming fast and furious,and on a daily basis the Beatles would release new singles that were shipped Gold ! .What to do!.The Rolling Stones were having trouble coming up with songs,they had been warned by London records, that they were not impressed with the quality of there songs.This was the exact time when LSD and STP ,was a huge fad..Not yet even illegal,when the Beatles released there monster album St. Peppers ,to unheard off critical and popular sucess.The Rolling stones had to be torn...their Band-mate Brian Jones was showing the effects of all the partying..look at photos of him from 67,he had seemingly aged years in short time .he soon wound up floating dead in the pool from a overdose .But everyone knew that Lucy In the Sky with diamonds,was a tribute to The wonders of LSD,and showed the positive and profitable effect of songs that came out of the drug culture !! .The extremely competitive Rolling Stones..didn't pall around with the Beatles,Everyone was jealous of there sucess, but they sure weren't going to be beaten by them !.I have confidence that Richards wanted nothing to do with this kind of music,as he was, and is enamored with Chuck Berry and Black R&B....but the decision was made and the Rolling stones cut the album "her Satanic Magesties Request"in 1967."Shes like a rainbow "was the first track on this beautiful album sleeve which featured the Rolling Stones in 3 d posed cross legs like they had just visited the Beatles Maharishi !.Inside was a puzzle that had a prize that was impossible to get too(cryptic and ironic..)Obviously the album cost a bit to produce and London was going to run with the new "Beatles killers".The title track is a tribute to Mick Jaggers girlfriend at the time Marianne Faithful.Guys write there best songs about tempestuous relationships,and Marianne had many songs written about her .Perhaps that is why women appreciate this song more then men .judge for yourself!.Imediatly after this album was released to mixed reviews..Rolling Stones fans began to voice there displeasure with this album and the Stone's new direction.Comments like .."that's not the"real" Rolling Stones",it's a "a cheap imitation of the Beatle".etc were heard.Always with their finger to the wind ;by 68 the combination of disapointing sales and fan anger and the new hard rock music from people like Jimi hendrix,Cream,The Doors,The Who.The Rolling Stones knew what they had to do.People back then said they had "sold out","gone pop","lost there touch".Album deliverables are on a Calender basis(album every/year/years .That wouldn't do.The Rolling Stones released a 45 rpm single that started the meteoric rise of the band to the hights we saw since,and reclaimed there dark style in one fell swoop.....JUMPIN JACK FLASH.The Stones were back!.The fans forgave them..and it was like the Rolling Stones's summer of love was a bad trip.