Rolling Stones fans now have the chance to hear a series of the band’s early releases in a whole new sonic light. Eight Rolling Stones titles have been made available in the high-def Dolby Atmos spatial-audio format for the first time.
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The releases include six full-length albums and two EPs. The albums are the band’s first two U.K. and first three U.S. studio efforts, as well as the classic 1969 record Let It Bleed. The EPs, which both were U.K.-only releases, are the band’s self-titled 1964 debut and Five by Five.
All of the titles are available in Dolby Atmos now via on Apple Music, TIDAL, and Amazon Music.
As with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones’ early songs were released in different configurations in the U.K. and the U.S. During the early-to-mid 1960s, singles that were released in the U.K. generally weren’t included on full-length albums. Also at the time, it was more common for artists to release EPs in the U.K. than in the U.S.
Here’s a brief look at The Rolling Stones’ new Dolby Atmos releases:
The Rolling Stones EP
The Rolling Stones EP was released in January 1964 and featured four cover songs. They included versions of Chuck Berry’s “Bye Bye Johnny” and the Motown classic “Money.” The disc topped the U.K.’s EP chart.
The Band’s Debut U.K. and U.S. Albums
The band’s debut U.K. and U.S. albums were titled The Rolling Stones and England’s Newest Hit Makers, respectively. They were released in April and May of ’64. Both albums had similar track lists, although England’s Newest Hit Makers included The Stones’ cover of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away,” which was issued as a non-album single in the U.K.
The Rolling Stones topped the U.K. albums chart while England’s Newest Hit Makers peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, the original tune “Tell Me,” which appeared on both albums, became a U.S. hit, reaching No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Five by Five EP
The Five by Five EP followed the band’s full-length debut in August 1964. The five-track collection included the original “Empty Heart” and a cover of Berry’s “Around and Around.” It also peaked at No. 1 on the U.K. EP chart.
The Stones’ Second U.S. and U.K. Albums
The Rolling Stones’ respective second U.S. and U.K. albums, 12 x 5 and The Rolling Stones No. 2, were released in October 1964 and January 1965. 12 x 5 included all the songs from the Five by Five EP, plus the hit covers “Time Is on My Side” and “It’s All Over Now.” The Rolling Stones No. 2 featured an alternate version of “Time Is on My Side” and several other tunes that appeared on 12 x 5.
12 x 5 and The Rolling Stones No. 2 peaked at No. 3 and No. 1, respectively on the U.S. and U.K. albums chart. “Time Is on My Side” and “It’s All Over Now” reached No. 6 and No. 26 on the Hot 100.
The Band’s Third U.S. Album
The band’s third U.S. album, The Rolling Stones, Now!, was released in February 1965. It featured seven songs that appeared The Rolling Stones No. 2, as well as the hit single “Heart of Stone.” “Heart of Stone,” Mick Jagger-Keith Richards original, peaked at No. 19 on the Hot 100.
Let It Bleed
Let It Bleed was released in November 1969 in the U.S. and the following month in the U.K. It was The Rolling Stones’ eighth U.K. studio album and the 10th to be issued in the U.S.
Considered to be one of The Rolling Stones’ finest albums, Let It Bleed reached No. 1 in the U.K. and No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
The album included such popular Stones tunes as the title track, “Gimme Shelter,” “Midnight Rambler,” “Monkey Man,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
Interestingly, Let It Bleed featured no major hit singles.
Other Stones Titles Will Be Released on Dolby Atmos in 2025
The ABKCO label is planning to make available more Rolling Stones titles on the Dolby Atmos format in the fall. They include the Got Live If You Want It! EP (1965), the U.S. and U.K. versions of Out of Our Heads (1965), December’s Children (and Everybody’s) (1965), the U.S. and U.K. versions of the Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) compilation (1966), and Beggars Banquet (1968).
.@RollingStones' classic early recordings are now available for the first time in #DolbyAtmos. Revisit your favorite Stones tracks with unparalleled clarity and depth 🎸 What song are you most excited to hear? @ABKCO #TheRollingStones pic.twitter.com/zz78Gr6FKe
— Dolby (@Dolby) March 14, 2025
(Photo by Terry O’Neill/Courtesy of ABKCO)
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