I know they're one of the most influencial rock bands ever if not THE most influencial. I never denied that.
I'm saying that of all the relevant British rock bands from 65/75. They were probably the least original. Zeppelin and Cream may have started out as blues bands but they took greater artistic risks for the most part IMO.
I'm not saying the Stones are completely unoriginal, but it's not even arguble that what was most innovative about the band was their image and lyrical subject matter, rather than their actual sound, which up until the early 70s was just American roots music updated through electric instruments, and Bob Dylan was already doing that sort of thing.
I give credit where credit is due, I know that without the Stones there would be no Cream or Hendrix or Zep. But all of those artists did a lot more to define hard rock IMO. And if anything I'd give The Who the most credit for that.
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