The Rolling Stones logo
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The red outstretched tongue has been the band’s trademark since the 1970s. But it has also become an important symbol in the rock ‘n’ roll world. Mick Jagger has now told the newspaper “Times of India” that his inspiration came from the Indian kingdom of gods: the fact that the tongue became the motif has something to do with the goddess Kali. She is the goddess of death, destruction and renewal – Indiana Jones also knows a thing or two about it.
Mick Jagger’s brother brought him books from India. In 1969, while looking for a good subject, he discovered the image of Kali’s tongue. She is usually depicted with blue skin, four arms and a red outstretched tongue.
In the early 1970s he passed this influence on to art student John Pasche, who had already drawn the band’s tour poster. Mick Jagger liked this so much that he asked him to design a logo for the Rolling Stones. In 1971 the motif appeared for the first time on the album “Sticky Fingers”.
New album after almost two decades
On October 20, 2023, after 18 years, an album with new original compositions was finally released. “Hackney Diamonds“ is the Rolling Stones’ first full album since “A Bigger Bang”, which was released in 2005. In the November issue and in the big ROLLING STONE interview, Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood talk about how they came to work with Beatles member Paul McCartney – and how they are dealing with the death of their drummer and companion Charlie Watts. Two of the twelve songs contain the last recordings of their long-time drummer. He died in 2021 and was replaced on stage by Steve Jordan.