On This Day in 1978: The Rolling Stones Hit #1 on the Billboard 200 with Their First Album Featuring Ronnie Wood
via Rolling Stones Data / YouTube
A New Chapter Begins with Ronnie Wood
On July 15, 1978, The Rolling Stones topped the Billboard 200 with their 16th US album, Some Girls. This record marked the debut of guitarist Ronnie Wood as a full member after joining in 1976. Previously, he had contributed to a few tracks on It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll and Black and Blue.
With a lineup now stable—Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts—the Stones recorded Some Girls between October 1977 and March 1978 at Paris’s Pathé Marconi Studio. This album signaled a return to their classic sound, featuring minimal guest artists and showcasing the band’s core strengths.
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Hit Singles and Record-Breaking Sales
Some Girls included major singles like “Miss You,” “Beast of Burden,” “Shattered,” and “Respectable.” “Miss You” became a No. 1 hit in the US and reached No. 3 in the UK. “Beast of Burden” climbed to No. 8 on the US charts, while “Shattered” hit No. 31, and “Respectable” reached No. 23 in the UK.
This album was the band’s first American studio release to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. By 2000, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it six times platinum, reflecting U.S. sales of 6 million copies.
Reinventing Their Sound
After their previous album Black and Blue received mixed reviews, Some Girls saw the Stones absorb new influences like punk and disco. Mick Jagger brought fresh energy from his experiences in New York’s Studio 54. This creative shift led to an album fans and critics praised as a comeback.
Guitarist Keith Richards highlighted the synergy between him and Wood, calling it “the right kind of chemistry.” Their layered guitar work brought a new depth to songs like “Respectable” and “Shattered”.
Lasting Impact
Some Girls held the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 for two weeks from July 15, 1978, and remained in the top 10 for 23 weeks . It became their longest-charting studio album in the U.S.
Rolling Stone ranked it among the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” noting its blend of rock, country, soul, and disco . The album also inspired a major tour in 1978 to support its launch.
