The Rolling Stones

Sticky Fingers

First released1971

Sticky Fingers was recorded between 1969 and 1970 across multiple studios including Atlantic Recording Studios in New York, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, and the Rolling Stones' mobile recording unit. The album was produced by Jimmy Miller, who worked closely with the band to capture their blues-influenced rock sound during a period of creative reinvention following their drug-related legal troubles. The recording sessions featured innovative use of the Stones' mobile studio and live instrumentation, with notable contributions from session musicians including pianist Nicky Hopkins and saxophonist Bobby Keys. The album marked a shift toward a rawer, more blues-oriented aesthetic compared to their previous work, with Miller's production emphasizing the band's instrumental interplay and groove-based arrangements. Released in April 1971, Sticky Fingers became one of the Stones' most acclaimed albums, featuring the iconic Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership at a high creative point.