50 years after their first live gig, the Rolling Stones have marked their golden anniversary by appearing outside a recreation of the Oxford Street music venue where they performed for the first time.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts all came together at old Marquee club yesterday, where they were photographed by well-respected photographer Rankin.
It was the first time the band have been pictured together since they appeared the premiere of their docu-film Shine A Light in 2008 – but today’s special occasion was big enough to bring them together once again.
The Stones’ debut on 12 July 1962 was made by the then-line-up of Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Ian Stewart, Dick Taylor and Tony Chapman.
50 years on, the line up has changed but their anniversary celebrations will continue tonight as they reunite with former members at Somerset House for a private view of their one-off 70-print photography exhibit. The selection includes pictures from live concerts, studio sessions, contact sheets, negative strips and outtakes from the band’s entire history.
The book, Rolling Stones: 50 which complements the exhibition will be published in October by Thames & Hudson.
“This is our story of 50 fantastic years,” the band announced. “We started out as a blues band playing the clubs and more recently we’ve filled the largest stadiums in the world with the kind of show that none of us could have imagined all those years ago.”
Keith Richards has also hinted that a reunion show could be in the works.
He told the BBC, "There's things in the works - I think it's definitely happening. But when? I can't say yet.
"We're playing around with the idea and had a couple of rehearsals - we've got together and it feels so good."
The Rolling Stones: 50 will be open from Thursday 13 until Monday 27 August 2012, daily 10.00-18.00 at the
East Wing Galleries. Admission is free.
