'EXILE ON MAIN ST.' BY THE ROLLING STONES

For guitarist Keith Richards, it was the definitive Stones record. Fleeing the British tax authorities, the group settled into the rambling Nellcote villa on the Cote d'azur in southern France, got high and knocked out arguably their last truly great album.

It is notable for lacking any standout pop hits -- instead of serving as a love letter to US gospel and blues, with an astonishingly consistent set of 18 songs including “Sweet Virginia” and “Tumbling Dice” that became fan favourites.

Rock critic Yves Bigot was there. “I wasn't one of the dealers,” he told AFP, laughing. “I was a kid from the region and we would sneak in with the food delivery guys in the morning when no one was awake. I stayed in the corner, and can confirm that the Stones were indeed alien creatures.”