On June 17, 1972, The Rolling Stones Reached the Top of the Billboard 200 Chart, Marking a Four-Week Reign For Their Iconic Album
via Hi Tones Record Store / YouTube
Album Reaches No. 1 in America
On June 17, 1972, Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones claimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart for the first of four consecutive weeks.
This was the second album in a run of eight straight Stones studio albums to reach No. 1 in the U.S. The double LP included fan favorites like “Tumbling Dice” and “Happy,” which climbed to No. 7 and No. 22, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Mixed Feelings from Mick Jagger
Despite its success, Mick Jagger later admitted he wasn’t fully happy with the album. In 2003 he said, “Exile is not one of my favorite albums, although I think the record does have a particular feeling. I’m not too sure how great the songs are, but put together it’s a nice piece”
it. He has also criticized the album’s mix, calling it “some of the worst I’ve ever heard,” and noted that producer Jimmy Miller was not in top form during the sessions.
Much of Exile was recorded at Keith Richards’s villa in France, where the band had moved to avoid high UK taxes. The makeshift studio at Nellcôte and later overdubs in Los Angeles created a rough and raw sound. Jagger and Richards later described the process as chaotic—full of creativity but also marred by personal struggles, drug use, and technical issues.
The Music Reflects the Time
Exile delves into blues, country, gospel, and rock riffs, pulling together the band’s roots . Opening tracks like “Rocks Off” and “Tumbling Dice” highlight this raw blend. Even critics who found the album rough at first later praised its intensity and authentic sound.
Though the album had uneven production, it grew in reputation over time. In 2012, Exile on Main Street was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame . It consistently ranks high in “greatest albums” lists, placing at #14 on Rolling Stone’s 2020 “500 Greatest Albums” list and earning top spots on critics’ polls. In a 2010 GQ interview, Jagger explained that while the album felt messy, that same raw quality is part of its appeal
He said the album “showcases the feeling of joyful isolation” and a strong, rough sound that matched the band’s mood at the time. Richards praised the decision to release it as a double album despite label concerns, calling it an essential creative statement .
Why It Still Matters
This album helped define the Stones’ direction in the 1970s and influenced many bands that followed. Even with its flaws, Exile on Main Street remains a key moment in rock history. Its raw edges and mix issues may bother some listeners, but they also contribute to the record’s power and raw charm.
