The Stones Convention – The Rolling Stones Fan Event That Traveled the World

The Rolling Stones have one of the most dedicated fan bases in rock history, and since the mid-1970s, those fans have organized their own annual pilgrimage: the Stones Convention. It’s not a band-run event—it’s a pure grassroots gathering that started in London and eventually hopped to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and even Tokyo. The idea was simple: bring together collectors, bootleg traders, and superfans to swap rare vinyl, share concert stories, and celebrate the band’s catalog in a way the official channels never did.

The first convention happened in 1975 at a small London hotel, organized by a fan named Bill German (who later wrote a book about his experiences). It grew quickly. By the 1980s, it became a multi-city affair with tables full of out-of-print singles, homemade badges, and tapes of unreleased live shows. The convention also served as a networking hub—some attendees ended up working for the band’s official archive or contributing to reissue projects.

After a long run, the event eventually faded in the 2000s as internet forums and social media groups took over the role of connecting fans. But for decades, the Stones Convention was the only place where you could walk up to Keith Richards’ cousin or the guy who ran the Stones’ fan club and ask about the “Cocksucker Blues” film without getting thrown out.