The Rolling Stones released their 8th studio album Let It Bleed on December 5th, 1969.

The record featured iconic Stones songs including Gimme Shelter, Midnight Rambler, and You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Let It Bleed saw the band return to their blues-rock sound along with influence from gospel, country, and country blues.

Unfortunately, co-founding guitarist Brian Jones was falling deeper and deeper into his drug addiction during the album’s recording and was fired due to his unreliable nature. Jones played backing insturmentals on two songs on Let It Bleed and was replaced by Mick Taylor for the rest of the record. Sadly, Jones died on July 3rd 1969 at the age of 27 before the album was released marking Let It Bleed as the final Stones album that featured the original guitarist.

Celebrate the album’s anniversary by listening to this classic: