Fatboy Slim Scores Rolling Stones Sample Approval After 25 Years!

Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, is a well-known DJ and music producer who has been making music for decades. About 25 years ago, he created a unique track called Satisfaction Skank by combining the famous guitar riff from the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction with his own hit, The Rockafeller Skank. Cook made this mashup because he was getting bored of playing the original version and wanted something fresh for his live performances. The track quickly became a fan favorite and was widely shared online, but the Rolling Stones refused to allow it to be released officially.

Cook described Satisfaction Skank as his 'secret weapon' during concerts, saying it was a tune that nobody else had and it made for a great encore. Despite its popularity, the song was only available as a bootleg, with fans recording it from his live sets and sharing it on file-sharing sites like Napster and Kazaa. Cook even bought some of these bootleg copies himself. Over the years, he tried several times to get permission from the Rolling Stones to release the track, but their management always said no, even though Mick Jagger once told Cook he liked the mix.

Recently, the Rolling Stones decided to approve the sample, even providing Cook with their master tapes so he could create a higher-quality version of Satisfaction Skank. This change in attitude reflects how the band has become more relaxed about other artists using their music. Cook has had a busy career, playing over a hundred gigs in one year and publishing a book about his life in music. He also supports mental health initiatives through music workshops. Now at 62, Cook says he has no plans to retire and will keep working and performing for as long as he can.