I think if the Stones would start now, they probably had a chance.
Because now (retro) Rock seems to be in again. Just look at bands like The Libertines, The Kings Of Leon, Franz Ferdinand, The Thrills,...
Ok - they are sucessfull because theere has been Rock before them, but generally speaking, if any band would release an album like Some Girls, Sticky Fingers or Exile now I think it would be a success.
Don't you think that the time for a new Stones album is right now? All these new bands say that they are influenced by the Stones - that should make some younger people aware of the Stones' music. And if the new album is a bit more back to the roots and well promoted- it could sell really good.
Somehow we are lucky now - because Mick is always trying to be "in" - it's "in" now to be retro :-)
Sorry, I got off topic now.
My favourites on Steel Wheels are the slower numbers, Blinded By Love, Almost Hear You Sigh, Slippin Away, Can't Be Seen. Sad Sad Sad is somehow cool to - I don't care much for the other songs. There's one song I can't stand: Break The Spell.
Cafaro, has your daughter ever been to Europe - can you tell her she's very welcome to stay with me in Vienna - perhaps I can convince her that not only her dad and some old men like the Stones, but also some young people ;-)