ROLLING STONES "HOT ROCKS" RARE SHELLEY 11-18-71 ALTERNATE MIX VERSION - AMAZING

$

36

THE ROLLING STONES

"HOT ROCKS 1964-1971"

LABEL: LONDON 2PS 606/607(USA)

RELEASED: DECEMBER (CHRISTMAS) 1971

THIS IS THE RARE 'SHELLEY' VERSION w/ UNIQUE VERSIONS OF 'BROWN SUGAR' AND 'WILD HORSES'

SIDE 4 STAMPED WITH BOTH 'SHELLEY' AND '11-18-71' DATE

CONDITION: EX- to EX   LOOKS AND  PLAYS GREAT!   (SEE DETAILS BELOW)  

Most record collectors and all Rolling Stones collectors know about this famous LP. It has been and remains one of the rarest and most desirable Rolling Stones vinyl rarities ever created. Commonly known as the Shelley Hot Rocks.

I found this at a used record store/head shop in New Jersey  about 25 years ago .  At the time, I collected Rolling Stones vinyl (among lots of other records) and just grabbed it up as it was in good condition, only later to realize that it was one of the classic 'Shelley' versions from the infamous Long Island pressing plant. Actually, as a northern NJ native, I've discovered several copies of this rare record over the years. It seems they were much easier to find back then, especially in the NYC area. 

These 'Shelley' Hot Rocks were known to us Stones collectors back then but information was confusing and inconsistent. Now, years later, with the help of the internet, we've learned much  more info about the album, the 2 alternate takes, the run-off etchings and the reason behind the Stones rarity. Those few who have heard these rare tracks say they are the best official versions of the songs. I have to agree, especially Wild Horses.

Around 1970, the Rolling Stones had a falling out with their manager Allan Klien after returning home from their European Tour. The Stones wanted more musical freedom and wanted to form their own record label. Klien contested the breakup and ended up getting control of all of the Rolling Stones London/Decca catalog up until late 1971. The Stones moved forward continuing to work on 'Sticky Fingers' and Klein, realizing he had control of their back catalog, planned some repackaged releases.

The US Greatest Hits compilation "Hot Rocks" was put together and released by Klien for the Christmas season in December 1971. The Stones themselves had little or no input as to song selection. The album was a deep retrospective look at their career. Klien chose to ignore 1963 and most of 1964 altogether and focused instead on their most effective and influential recordings up to and including Brown Sugar. An impressive collection of tracks from the Decca/London catalog. There were 6 US #1 singles featured, as well as some longer album tracks. It had the complete Sympathy For the Devil, and Midnight Rambler from the live 1969 Ya-Ya's LP. It overlapped much of Big Hits and Big Hits 2 as well. It was pure product, but good product, put out for Christmas consumption in the States by Klien. Hot Rocks was an American album. It wasn't released in the UK until 1990 when the Stones toured Europe. 1986 Abkco/Virgin masters were used in the UK and Europe creating some 'stereo/mono' rarities but there are no UK 'Shelleys'. Shelley Hot Rocks are unique to 1971 New York area original American pressings. That's what makes them so rare.

Just prior to the release of the album, the stones did some session work at Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama, noted in the documentary film 'Gimme Shelter'. Klien claimed ownership of the session tapes as they were cut while he was still in charge. Alternate versions of Brown Sugar and Wild Horses from those sessions were in Kliens posession and he intended to release them on his 'Hot Rocks' package. Mick Jagger didn't like the takes,  held out an olive branch,  met with Klien, and convinced him to use new improved single versions of Brown Sugar and Wild Horses for the album instead. Stampers were upgraded to the new versions and the old stampers destroyed.

Stampers for Hot Rocks were then sent out to various pressing plants around the country but somehow, the Shelley Products plant on Long Island got the wrong (old) stampers and pressed up some LP's with the earlier alternate Muscle Shoals versions of those 2 songs on them. The mistake was quickly fixed but an unknown number of albums with the alternate takes were released into the NYC metro area. Those became known as the 'Shelley' Hot Rocks and are highly collectible. It took about 2 weeks to realize the error.

Retrieving the 'error' albums from the market proved difficult. There is no way to tell a 'Shelley' from a 'Normal' pressing from the jacket, sleeve, label, spine or catalog number. The only way to tell is to look at the numbers and pattern in the run-out wax. Original Shelley pressings have the date 11-18-71 and the word 'Shelley' etched into the vinyl on side 4. Even knowing that, the marks are usually hand written and difficult to see on most copies. Lots of combinations of dates and Shelleys complicate things. The key side is the last side with 'Sugar' and 'Horses' on it. That side has to have BOTH Shelley and the 11-18-71 date. This is one of those rare records.

Everybody I’ve ever played this LP for has been floored by the unique songs and curious about the story behind them. Everyone seems to love it. I’ve only seen a handful of these in my many years of collecting.  A classic and hard to find. It belongs in everyone’s collection.

This one has the proper original London inner sleeves and the original '211 Reasons' booklet. A nice copy of this monster rarity. It would be a great addition to any classic rock, Rolling Stones or general record collection. A famous classic record to have in your collection, even without the 'shelley' cuts.

Condition: I’d call this EX- overall. Mild signs of handling and playing but nothing bad or distracting. No obvious scratches or defects. Vinyl is clean and shiny with no obvious scuffs or dings. Cover is in great shape with very little ring wear, which was so common on these black jacket LPs. Original shrink sticker placed nicely on top of jacket. Looks, plays and sounds great. It’s been properly stored in my personal collection for years. I’m sure you’ll be more than happy with this rare record.

The 'Shelley' and date are both present on side 4. I tried to get pictures of both but it's kinda difficult. I included a couple of attempts. I also played the side on my high quality system to re-confirm it contains the alternatwe takes. It does. Overall, a great copy and one of the better condition ones I've seen lately. 

I’m retired and downsizing and letting go some gems from nearly 50 years of record collecting. Check out the many other fantastic 45s and 33s on my page!

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All LP's come with generic white paper inner sleeves and simple poly-bags, unless otherwise noted or pictured. I do try to match up proper, appropriate generic company sleeves with my 45’s and LP's and I’ll gladly include them if I have them. As mentioned, this one does have  the London inner sleeves and the 211 reasons booklet.

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