"Love You Live" is a double live album by the Rolling Stones, released in 1977. This album captures performances from their 1975 Tour of the Americas, the 1976 Tour of Europe, and notable shows at the El Mocambo nightclub in Toronto in 1977. It marks the band's third official full-length live release and is dedicated to the memory of audio engineer Keith Harwood, who tragically died in a car accident shortly before the album's release. Notably, it is also the first live album featuring guitarist Ronnie Wood, showcasing the band's evolving sound and energy during this period. The album includes a mix of classic hits and covers, reflecting the Stones' dynamic live performance style.
Love You Live was meticulously overdubbed and mixed from late May to mid-June 1977, before its release in September of that year. The album received a positive reception, reaching No. 3 in the UK and No. 5 in the US, where it achieved gold status.
The artwork for the album was created by Andy Warhol, featuring hand-drawn titles added by Mick Jagger, which reportedly frustrated Warhol. This album marked the last time Rolling Stones Records was distributed internationally by Warner Music; subsequent albums were distributed through EMI worldwide, while they maintained a North American deal with Warner.
The album features tracks recorded during the 1975–1976 tours, along with four songs from performances at Toronto's El Mocambo Club on March 4 and 5, 1977. These shows were intended to highlight classic blues and R&B covers reminiscent of the band's early days at the Crawdaddy Club. However, the rehearsals faced disruption due to Keith Richards arriving late after a drug-related arrest with his girlfriend, Anita Pallenberg.
Despite these issues, the performances were well-received, though the recordings underwent significant overdubbing for guitar tracks and backing vocals, particularly from Richards and Ronnie Wood. Jagger also overdubbed the harmonica on "Mannish Boy," while "Around and Around" remains untouched.
Internal tensions between Jagger and Richards were evident during the selection process for the album tracks, as they had differing visions for its content. Richards later reflected on this struggle in his autobiography, noting that the album became divided—one disc reflecting Jagger's choices and the other his own. Additionally, the emotional weight of the passing of Richards' infant son Tara deeply affected him during this period, impacting both his performance and the recording process. Despite the personal challenges, the band pushed forward, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to their craft.
