The band’s 13th studio album was their first following the departure of former guitarist Mick Taylor, who was eventually replaced by Ronnie Wood.
The recording sessions famously served as auditions with guitar greats Harvey Mandel, Wayne Perkins, Jeff Beck, and Robert A. Johnson all contributing. Ultimately, free from commitments to The Faces, it was Ronnie Wood who joined Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman as a bona fide Rolling Stone appearing on three tracks.
Soon after Ronnie officially signed up for the band's U.S. tour, starting his continuing tenure with the group across five decades with multiple live and studio albums and dozens of Stones groundbreaking world tours. In a brand-new interview included in the new box set, Ronnie reflects on joining the band in 1976 with these words - "Right then, this is where I'm meant to be."
“Black and Blue” showcased group’s adventurous spirit by infusing reggae, funk, and soul into their signature rock sound. The swaggering "Hot Stuff," the driving "Hand of Fate," the poignant ballad hit single "Fool to Cry," fan favorite "Memory Motel" plus "Melody" featuring the talents of Billy Preston a heavy contributor to the whole album.
“Black and Blue” was the second to be self-produced, credited to "The Glimmer Twins" a pseudonym used by Jagger and Richards for their roles as producers. On release it went to No. 1 on the USA album chart and stayed there for four consecutive weeks gaining immediate platinum status while in the UK it reached No. 2 in May 1976.
The “Black and Blue” 2025 reissue includes a six-track disc of previously unreleased recordings, including the Jagger/Richards composition "I Love Ladies," plus a high-energy take on Shirley & Company's "Shame, Shame, Shame" which is available as the set’s first preview. Also included are four amazing Stones instrumental jams from the 1975 sessions featuring the guest guitarists.
The reissue also delivers a full live concert recording from the bands celebrated six night residency at London's Earls Court Exhibition Centre, where they were joined onstage by Ian Stewart, Billy Preston, and Ollie Brown - all of whom had contributed to the studio album.
Available as a 5LP vinyl box set and a 4CD box set, both editions include a Blu-ray disc, a hundred-page hardback book, and a replica tour poster. A limited edition 5LP version on exclusive black and blue marbled vinyl will also be available via select online retailers, alongside streamlined 2-disc and 1-disc formats on both vinyl and CD. Additionally, a limited edition 1LP zoetrope vinyl will also be released.
The accompanying Blu-ray disc offers a previously unreleased TV broadcast of the Stones' 1976 show at Les Abattoirs in Paris, plus Dolby Atmos surround sound mixes of both the studio album and the live Earls Court concert. All audio content is also available in high-resolution stereo.
Release Formats Include:
5LP Super Deluxe Box Set
4CD Super Deluxe Box Set
Limited Edition 5LP Marbled Vinyl Super Deluxe Box Set
2LP / 2CD (Album + Outtakes & Jams)
1LP / 1CD (2025 Steven Wilson Mix)
1LP Zoetrope Vinyl
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