The Rolling Stones have often thrived in tumultuous environments, producing some of their most revered records amid testing times. However, certain obstacles have proven too challenging even for the resilient band, nearly spelling the end for them during the creation of one album in particular.
The Stones have been no stranger to adversity throughout their vast career, and most other bands would have sunk in their position. The 1980s were a particularly complex time for the group, mainly because of the feud between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who held contrasting views on the creative direction of The Rolling Stones.
For many years, Jagger had been the one holding The Rolling Stones together amid Richards’ battle with addiction. However, once the guitarist cleaned up his act, he wanted a more active role in the songwriting process again. Yet, Jagger wasn’t willing to hand over the power, and a vicious battle ensued.
Furthermore, the problems in The Rolling Stones transcended the Glimmer Twins. Drummer Charlie Watts, who was typically the only serene member of the group, uncharacteristically became addicted to heroin, which almost cut him his marriage. Nevertheless, despite their ongoing issues, The Stones headed to France in 1985 to record Dirty Work. Watts could not play on all of the tracks, and the cracks between the members had risen to the surface on the recordings.
During an interview with Rolling Stone in 1995, Jagger bluntly responded when asked for his analysis of the record, stating it was “not special”.
Reflecting on the era, he said: “Touring Dirty Work would have been a nightmare. It was a terrible period. Everyone was hating each other so much; there were so many disagreements. It was very petty; everyone was so out of their brains, and Charlie was in seriously bad shape. When the idea of touring came up, I said, ‘I don’t think it’s gonna work.’ In retrospect I was a hundred percent right. It would have been the worst Rolling Stones tour. Probably would have been the end of the band.”
Although touring was a lucrative business for The Rolling Stones, no amount of money could have persuaded them to hit the road. It would have been a miserable adventure that could have ended their story on a sour note.
In the same interview, Jagger also criticised Undercover, the predecessor to Dirty Work. During this troubling period in the 1980s, The Rolling Stones were a shadow of their former selves, no longer operating like the well-oiled machine that once dominated the rock world.
Thankfully, The Rolling Stones made a euphoric comeback in 1989 with Steel Wheels, accompanied by the biggest world tour of their career until that point, proving there was still life in the old dog. After staring their mortality in the face, The Stones miraculously found a way to soldier on and bounce back from their dance with the devil.