When the Rolling Stones Performed on a Flatbed Truck in New York City in 1975

On May 1, 1975, The Rolling Stones staged one of the most legendary guerrilla marketing stunts in rock history by performing live on a moving flatbed truck rolling down Fifth Avenue in New York City. Instead of attending their scheduled, traditional press conference inside the Fifth Avenue Hotel to announce their upcoming Tour of the Americas ‘75, the band completely bypassed the media. They left journalists waiting inside the hotel while they blasted an extended version of their hit song “Brown Sugar” directly on the rain-slicked streets outside.

The truck loaded up its backline equipment, amps, and instruments at 12th Street and barreled down Lower Fifth Avenue toward Washington Square Park, bringing Manhattan traffic to a sudden standstill. The idea came from drummer Charlie Watts, who was inspired by historical New Orleans jazz musicians who traditionally used flatbed trucks to promote their upcoming gigs.

The casual, chaotic performance served as the official live public debut of guitarist Ronnie Wood, who had just joined the band to replace Mick Taylor. Mick Jagger, sporting a flashy yellow blazer and carrying a parasol, strutted across the tiny moving stage alongside Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, and keyboardist Billy Preston, while hundreds of ecstatic fans and blindsided reporters chased the truck down the street.