How The Rolling Stones Got Booed Opening For James Brown

April 2, 2025

It was 1964, and the excitement in the air was electric. The Rolling Stones, a band that had just begun to carve out their place in rock ‘n’ roll, were stepping onto the stage as the opening act for the legendary James Brown. The venue was packed with fans eagerly anticipating the Godfather of Soul. As Mick Jagger adjusted his microphone and the rest of the band tuned their instruments, they could feel the weight of the moment. But little did they know, this night would become an unforgettable experience for all the wrong reasons.

As they started to play their first song, “Time Is on My Side,” Mick Jagger’s voice soared with energy, and Keith Richards strummed his guitar with passion. However, the crowd’s reaction was far from what they had hoped for. Many fans were there for James Brown, and the Rolling Stones, with their raw rock sound, didn’t seem to fit the bill. Instead of cheers, they were met with a chorus of boos and jeers from the audience. It was shocking and disheartening to see people turning their backs on them, shouting for the main act to come out rather than listening to their music. Jagger felt his heart sink. Here they were, wanting to share their art, yet feeling like strangers in a foreign land.

After what felt like an eternity, their set ended, and they left the stage, shoulders slumped and spirits low. The band members couldn’t believe what had just happened. They had dreamed of this moment—performing on a big stage for a crowd brimming with energy—but it turned into a nightmare. As they waited to see James Brown’s electrifying performance, the blues of their own set still clung to them. But as they watched Brown take the stage and light up the audience, something began to change. They realized his performance was magic. He poured his heart into every note, and the crowd roared with approval. It reminded them of why they loved music so much.

That night, instead of giving up, the Rolling Stones found a spark inside them. They had witnessed true artistry—the way James Brown commanded the stage and connected with the audience. It was a lesson in resilience and passion that stuck with them. They returned to England, determined to refine their sound and become even better performers. They learned to channel every experience, good or bad, into their music. They would not let a rough start define them. They kept writing songs, experimenting, and getting to know themselves as artists. Soon, they would become one of the most iconic rock bands in history.

Years later, as they looked back on that night, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and the rest of the band found a sense of gratitude for the experience. The booing crowd had given them a fire to push forward, not only in their careers but in their lives. Each member carried that moment like a badge of honor, a reminder of their humble beginnings and the power of perseverance. They learned that sometimes, the hardest setbacks can lead to the greatest comebacks.

So, when the Rolling Stones took the stage before thousands of fans at their own concerts, they did so with an unbreakable spirit and a love for the music that had brought them together. The experience of being booed by an audience only fueled their desire to grow and evolve as musicians. They knew that every show was a chance to connect with people, and they were determined to make each performance unforgettable. In the end, that night opened their eyes to the beautiful journey of music, where failures could be stepping stones to greatness.