How did Andrew Loog Oldham influence the Rolling Stones’ decision to write their own songs?

Andrew Loog Oldham, the manager of the Rolling Stones, played a pivotal role in the band's transition from a cover act to a songwriting powerhouse by explicitly demanding that they begin writing their own original material.1

While the band initially relied on the catalogs of 1950s blues and rock-and-roll artists, Oldham’s directive pushed Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to start composing. This shift was further encouraged by the success and example of the Beatles, specifically the songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. By adopting this practice, Jagger and Richards not only ensured the long-term viability of the group but also secured creative control over their musical output.2