With Beatlemania and the British Invasion in full swing, the Rolling Stones were announced as "England's Newest Hit Makers."

Their debut album was released to coincide with their arrival in New York on June 1, 1964, where they began their first U.S. tour. Describing the album, Keith Richard said it "reflected what we used to play at the Crawdaddy - a regular diet of Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters with some Slim Harpo. The album was the cream of the set."