D is for… Dartford

Yeah, Dartford in Kent!

When Keith Richards bumped into Mick Jagger on a train at Dartford Station in 1960 he spotted a bunch of albums under Jagger’s arm that included The Best of Muddy Waters. Two years later they hooked up with Brian Jones to form a band named after Muddy’s 1950 hit Rollin’ Stone.

The Rolling Stones were genuine blues fanatics who gave credit where it was due. In 1965 they insisted that blues legend Chester ‘Howlin’ Wolf’ Burnett be booked to perform on the American TV show Shindig! The Stones sat at the master’s feet while he boomed through How Many More Years.

D is also for… Diddley bow

A diddley bow is a primitive single-string guitar played with a slide. Watch Jack White of The White Stripes build a diddley bow, and frighten unsuspecting cattle. You can find instructions to build one for yourself here.