1973 'Tattoo You' Tour Launch
Correcting the timeline: Tattoo You arrived in '81, not '73.
In the annals of Rolling Stones history, the specific milestone known as a '1973 Tattoo You Tour Launch' is a common misconception among casual observers. The album Tattoo You was not officially released until August 1981, co-produced by Chris Kimsey alongside Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. In reality, 1973 saw the band on the extensive Tour of the Americas, which began in January 1973—before the release of Goats Head Soup on August 31—so only later legs of the tour promoted that album.
- Key Album Producer
- Chris Kimsey (co-producer with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards)
- Actual 1973 Tour
- Tour of the Americas (initially not promoting Goats Head Soup)
Lore & Background
It showcased a band refining their classic hits alongside new material, cementing their status as rock elders who could still dominate stadiums. The 1973 era remains distinct for its raw energy and the final chapters with their legendary producer, creating two separate but interconnected chapters in their legacy. Notably, the tour's early dates predated Goats Head Soup's release, so only later legs served as promotion for that album.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the studio was thick with cigarette smoke and old ideas. Mick Jagger flipped through a tape reel labeled from years past, hearing a rhythm that felt fresh again. Keith Richards nodded, picking up his guitar to layer over a riff recorded nearly a decade earlier. They weren't launching a tour in 1973 for this album; they were digging in the vaults of memory, piecing together a future masterpiece from the fragments of their past.
Reader's Guide
February 1973: The Tour of the Americas begins, promoting Goats Head Soup. Key participants include Jagger, Richards, Wood, Jones, and Watts. August 1981: Tattoo You is finally released after years of shelved tracks being reworked. This marks a shift in production style for the group. Immediate consequence includes massive commercial success and record-breaking attendance figures.
Did You Know?
- Some songs on Tattoo You were recorded as early as 1972 but remained unreleased until 1981.
- The 1973 tour is historically known as the Tour of the Americas, not associated with Tattoo You.
- Tattoo You became one of the best-selling albums in the band's entire catalog upon its actual release.
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