The Rolling Stones once recorded an album while barely on speaking terms with each other.
In short: Released in 1997, Bridges to Babylon was a high-stakes experiment in blending classic rock with modern electronic production. Behind the scenes, the sessions were defined by intense friction, creative clashes with loop-heavy producers, and a band so fractured that members were reportedly boycotting each other by the final week.
The recording process for the Rolling Stones' twenty-first British studio album began in Los Angeles in March 1997. Seeking to modernize their sound, Mick Jagger brought in contemporary producers like the Dust Brothers and Danny Saber. This departure from the band's traditional island-based recording sessions created immediate tension. Keith Richards, skeptical of the 'loop gurus,' famously expelled Saber from the studio after catching him overdubbing guitars. To manage the volatile environment, producer Don Was worked with Jagger and Richards in separate rooms, while drummer Charlie Watts collaborated with percussionist Jim Keltner to maintain focus.
The album's production was marked by a frantic, disjointed energy. Nine different musicians played bass across the tracks, and the band's internal cohesion disintegrated so thoroughly that Jagger and Richards were not on speaking terms by the final week of recording. Even the lead single, 'Anybody Seen My Baby?', required a last-minute credit adjustment after Richards' daughter, Angela, noted its resemblance to k.d. lang's 'Constant Craving'. To avoid legal trouble, Lang and co-writer Ben Mink were added to the credits, ensuring the song could proceed as a radio hit.
Despite the internal strife, the album's visual identity was meticulously crafted. Art director Stefan Sagmeister drew inspiration from Babylonian artifacts at the British Museum, resulting in a striking cover featuring an Assyrian lion. The first million copies were encased in a filigree slipcase that made the lion appear embedded in the design. While contemporary reviews were polarized—with some critics praising the band's ambition and others dismissing the electronic experiments as dated—the subsequent tour became a massive financial success. Today, the album remains a divisive entry in the band's discography, often cited for its 'schizophrenic' blend of traditional rock and experimental production.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Bridges to Babylon
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