The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones rose to prominence during the British Invasion of the 1960's. Like most early British rock groups, they were influenced by a variety of American musical forms, especially electric blues and early rock 'n' roll. By the mid-1960s, The Stones had fused their influences into a signature, guitar-based sound that established a prototype for hard rock. The Stones affected a rebellious, bad-boy image that helped propel their rise from an energetic modern blues outfit to one of the worlds' biggest and most influential bands. By the end of the '60s, The Stones had amassed a great number of hit singles. Their music never strayed far from the blues, however, and by 1968, they returned to blues-based rock, embarking the following year on the now infamous U.S. tour that saw them billed as "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World". They continue to record albums and tour the world to this day.