On May 5, 1963, a young London band called the Rolling Stones signed a recording contract with Decca Records. The deal almost did not happen. Decca had recently rejected the Beatles, and the company was determined not to make the same mistake again. The Rolling Stones played a raw, energetic style of music rooted in American blues. Their sound was rougher and louder than the polished pop on British radio. Lead singer Mick Jagger moved wildly on stage. Guitarist Keith Richards played with a loose, almost dangerous intensity. Their first single, a cover of Chuck Berry's "Come On," reached number 21 on the British charts. From that modest beginning, the Rolling Stones grew into one of the most successful bands in history. They have sold over 200 million records worldwide. They toured for over sixty years. They produced some of the most recognizable songs in rock music, including "Satisfaction" and "Paint It Black." The Decca contract was the beginning of it all.