Re: Rolling Stones on Mandolin?
No mandolin there. Wonder if you're thinking of "Paint It Black," which features a sitar, still a departure from standard rock instrumentation. I believe the first use of an electric mandolin in rock may be credited to Seals & Crofts, or one of the British folk-rock bands like Fairport Convention or Steeleye Span or Lindisfarne, but Niles may well have a better handle on this.
However, at the risk of sending us off on a tangent, I must say the first time I heard mandolin on a rock record it was by played by Ry Cooder on The Stones' version of Robert Johnson's "Love In Vain," on "Let it Bleed." Again one of the above-mentioned bands may have gotten there first, but I hadn't heard it yet. Of course, soon thereafter there was a flurry of activity for the instrument - Jethro Tull's "Fat Man," The Band's "Rag Mama Rag," Grateful Dead's "Friend Of The Devil" and "Ripple," and surely more. As I said, another thread. But my point here is these were still acoustic mandolins. The first time I heard an electric-sounding mandolin would have been Seals & Crofts "Diamond Girl."
BTW, as much as The Beatles are nearly always cited as the most innovative band in many ways, and deservedly so, they never used mandolin - George and Paul did on later solo releases, but The Stones had them beat in at least this area.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
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