Video: 'Let it Bleed (1969-11-29) Album Studio N°15' (9 videos)

(Friday, December 5, 1969) — Let It Bleed, the eighth British and tenth American studio album by English rock band The Rolling Stones, was released today.

The album was recorded during a period of turmoil in the band; Brian Jones, the band’s founder and original leader, had become increasingly unreliable in the studio due to heavy drug use, and during most recording sessions was either absent, or so incapacitated that he was unable to contribute meaningfully.

He was fired in the midst of recording sessions for this album, and replaced by Mick Taylor. Jones appeared on this album on only two songs, playing backing instruments, and went on to die within a month of being fired.

Taylor had been hired after principal recording was complete on many of the tracks, and likewise appears on only two songs, having recorded some guitar overdubs.

In 2003, the album was ranked at number 32 on Rolling Stone‘s list of the “500 greatest albums of all time.”