Stones Music, the Rolling Stones

It’s Only Rock and Roll, But Boomers Like It Few bands exceed the staying power and commercial success of the Rolling Stones. In part, it’s talent (quality in the world of commerce), hard work, vision, planning, and execution, a basic formula that keeps the band rocking decade after decade, similar to the way brands like Coke and Cadillac keep rolling through the generations. And, in part, it’s timing. The Rolling Stones happened to hit the music scene and become part of the collective life soundtrack of the largest demographic segment of our time-the baby boomers. Teenagers of the 1960s listened, made out, danced, smoked, rebelled, and fantasized to Stones music. It was their puberty music, and it was good enough that the kids continued to sing it, and the band evolved enough that the kids continued to follow it for decades.

“When bands connect with fans during their growing up years, during emotional times, they will feel emotions when they think about them in the future,” explains Stephen Swid, founder of Spin magazine.

“We want to listen to favorites over and over again because they help us remember.” The fact that the band and its music are ingrained in the memories of what many marketers consider to be the most important market segment of the twenty first century helps explain why the Rolling Stones are a relevant American cultural icon today.

But not all in the Stones’ formula for success is corporate babble- this is, after all, rock and roll, and therefore sex and excess beg to be mentioned. But, bottom line, after 40 years this group continues to perform the kick ass, take no prisoners brand of music that has earned it the title of “Greatest Rock and Roll Brand Ever” in the minds of music fans.