On this . . . Bobby's birthday!

On this day in music history: May 24, 1968 - “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by The Rolling Stones is released (US release date is on June 1, 1968). Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it is the eighteenth US (seventeenth UK) single by the iconic London based rock band fronted by lead vocalist Mick Jagger. In early 1968, Jagger is staying at band mate Keith Richards countryside home Redlands in West Wittering, Sussex, UK, while the pair are working on material for the next Rolling Stones album. Mick is awoken one morning by the sound of Richards’ gardener Jack Dyer walking past his window. When Mick asks who it is, Keith replies, “Oh that’s Jack, jumpin’ jack”. Jagger takes Richards statement, and is immediately inspired to begin writing lyrics. Keith comes up with main riff and chords that evolve into “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, with the pair finishing the song quickly. The track is recorded at Olympic Studios in London on April 20, 1968 during sessions for the bands next album “Beggar’s Banquet”. Keith achieves the songs unique guitar sound by using a Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar tuned to an open D chord, then placing a capo on the neck. He then records the guitar (actually two guitars, with the second tuned to a higher octave) with a Philips cassette recorder using the players external condenser mic, then bouncing it back to multi-track tape. Issued as a stand alone single, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” marks the Stones return to their trademark blues rooted sound after experimenting with psychedelic music on their two previous albums. In time, it is regarded as one of the bands greatest and most often covered songs. The single is backed with non-LP B-side “Child Of The Moon”. At the time of the singles release, it is accompanied by a promotional film directed by Michael Lindsey-Hogg (“Let It Be”), in which The Rolling Stones perform the song with all of the band members appearing with painted faces and heavy makeup. The songs title also becomes the basis of and major plot point of a Penny Marshall directed comedy in 1986 starring Whoopi Goldberg. Aretha Franklin records a cover of the song for the film, produced by Keith Richards, who also plays guitar on the track. The Rolling Stones original version of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” hits number one on the UK singles chart, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1968, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

another from Jeff Harris' wonderful music blog