The Spontaneous Three-Day Session That Became 'Blue & Lonesome'

The Rolling Stones’ 2016 album Blue & Lonesome wasn’t planned at all—it started as a loose jam during a scheduled week at British Grove Studios in London. The band was there to try out new ideas, but instead of writing, they found themselves running through old blues songs they’d loved since their teenage years. After just three days, they had enough takes for a full album.

What made them stick with blues covers? It came down to pure joy. Producer Don Was noticed the energy in the room—Mick Jagger blowing harp, Keith Richards grinning, Charlie Watts locking into shuffles they’d played for decades. They didn’t overthink it. The tracks were mostly first or second takes, recorded live with minimal overdubs. Eric Clapton happened to be recording in the same complex and wandered over; he ended up playing on “Everybody Knows About My Good Thing” and “I Can’t Quit You Baby.” His presence added a natural, unforced chemistry.

The album became a tribute to the Chicago blues that shaped the Stones’ very sound—Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Little Walter—and a reminder that sometimes the best records come from just having fun.