The Rolling Stones

Exile on Main St.

First released1972

Exile on Main St. was recorded primarily at the Villa Nellcôte in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, between 1971 and 1972, with additional sessions at the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio and other locations. The album was produced by Jimmy Miller, who had worked with the band on previous projects, and engineered by Claude Nobs and others using mobile recording equipment that allowed the band to capture performances in unconventional settings. The recording took place during a period when several band members were dealing with legal issues and tax complications in the UK, which influenced both the logistics and creative atmosphere of the sessions. The album showcased a raw, blues-influenced sound that departed somewhat from the polished production of earlier work, reflecting the band's desire for a grittier aesthetic. Exile on Main St. was released in May 1972 and later became widely regarded as one of the Rolling Stones' greatest achievements, though initial critical reception was more modest.