Welcome to the 51st insertion of DEMUR®, an analytical series highlighting the intricacies of the artistic world and the minutiae lying within. In this episode we illustrate the disputed history behind the most infamous symbol of rock n’ roll - The Rolling Stones “Tongue and Lips” logo.
The Rolling Stones, formed in 1962, are a British rock n’ roll collective that pioneered a mantra of rebellious counter-culture. In their time, The Beatles were the hottest selling trope that catered to a broad, classier audience, creating music for the masses in a rather conservative manner. The Rolling Stones on the other hand, leapt at a contrasting persona filled with expression and flamboyance, garnering a cult-like following during the Western invasion of the U.K sound.
Coined as “The greatest rock band of all time”, The Rolling Stones became inseparable from the radio frequency as their unique song-writing style and chart topping singles overthrew the globe. Their lawless attitude set the tone for a new era in music and matured as a symbol of their craft. Despite this, they were missing a motif, a physical logo that would embody not only their product, but their audience as well.
It was April of 1970 and the hunt for an emblem had begun. The band started by contacting London’s Royal College of Art and was put in touch with the novice student John Pasche, who worked with the Stones’ lead singer Mick Jagger to commission the trademark. Jagger was interested in the hues of Indian culture, and put forth an image of Hindu deity, Kali. Her striking lips and protruding tongue instantly grabbed Pashce’s attention, and the first sketch was born.
Grazing the underside of The Rolling Stones classic studio album, “Sticky Fingers”, the cherry red logo - originally monochrome, was an instant success. However, as the release date for “Sticky Fingers” approached, Pasche failed to meet the deadline for the final sketches and Craig Braun, the Stones’ album designer, was forced to alter the logo known today. Even further, there are claims in which Ernie Cefalu was the original artist behind the symbol, but lack substantial evidence.
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