The Rolling Stones

Exile on Main St.

First released1972

Exile on Main St. was recorded between 1970 and 1972 primarily at the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio and various locations in southern France, as well as at EMI Studios in London. The album was produced by the Stones themselves alongside Jimmy Miller, a renowned producer who had worked with the band on previous projects. The recording process was unconventional for its time, utilizing mobile recording equipment to capture performances in residential settings, which contributed to the album's raw and intimate sonic character. Engineer George Chkiantz played a crucial role in the technical aspects of production, working to balance the band's blues-influenced rock sound with layered instrumentation. The album reflected the band's exile tax situation during this period and their desire to move away from the polished studio sound of previous work, resulting in what many consider one of the greatest rock albums ever made.