50 Years Ago Today: Rolling Stones' 13th Album Topped US Billboard 200

On this day 50 years ago, an iconic rock band's underrated album peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200.

In Dec. 1974, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones traveled to Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, to begin work on their 13th album, following the release of their compilation album, Made in the Shade.

Recording for their 13th album, Black and Blue, began six months before Made in the Shade was released. The latter included Stones' classics such as "Tumbling Dice," "Wild Horses" and "Angie."

The Rolling Stones released Black and Blue on Apr. 23, 1976. Three weeks later, on May 15, the album peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200.

Black and Blue featured eight songs: "Hot Stuff," "Memory Motel," "Cherry Oh Baby," (a cover of Eric Donaldson's 1971 hit), "Hand of Fate," "Hey Negrita," "Melody," "Crazy Mama" and "Fool to Cry."

‘Black and Blue' Was Rolling Stones' First Album Following Mick Taylor's Departure

The Rolling Stones brought Mick Taylor aboard in 1969 to replace Brian Jones, who tragically drowned in his swimming pool on July 3, 1969. Taylor immediately became a hit with the band, working on some of their top albums, including Let It Bleed and Exile on Main St.

But Taylor would leave the Rolling Stones in 1974, later citing creative frustrations and the need to remove himself from the drug culture.

Any concerns about the Stones' future performances without Taylor were put to rest thanks to the emergence of Ronnie Wood. The latter joined the Stones in 1975, worked on Black and Blue and has been a member of the group ever since.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 4:08 PM.