Russh Magazine

The Rolling Stones have been the soundtrack to pretty much everyone’s everything.

Blinded By Love, Wild Horses, whichever you care to choose.

And it’s been this way as long – in most cases, longer – than any of us can remember.

It’s been 50 years since they formed and Paddington’s Blender Gallery is celebrating with a good old fashion retrospective featuring the works of that who were right there with them – Lynn Goldsmith, Terry O’Neill, Michael Putland, Ethan Russell, Philip Townsend, Barrie Wentzell and more.

We caught up with Blender’s director Tali Udovich to get the low-down.

What brings The Rolling Stones to Blender?
2012 sees the 50 Year Anniversary of The Rolling Stones … Can you believe it! In June 1962, childhood friends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards responded to an ad in a publication called Jazz News, placed by original guitarist Brian Jones – the Rolling Stones were born! June 2012 was the perfect opportunity to host an exhibition dedicated to their incredible rock ‘n’ roll legacy. We have put together an exhibition of over 60 images, sourced from some of the world’s best rock and roll photographers who have documented the band in their early days and their rise to fame.

The Rolling Stones – fave song and why?
Gimme Shelter, Let It Bleed, Wild Horses, You Can't Always Get What You Want, Miss You ... Honestly the list is endless – that is a tough question for a Stones fanatic! I do have a penchant for the very early Stones songs – As Tears Go By, Get Off My Cloud, 19th Nervous Breakdown – my favourite being The Rolling Stones very first single, Come On released in 1963 – a cover of a Chuck Berry song. Simple yet unique blues, the early tunes are raw and intimate, quite different to what most people associate with the big bang performers that the Stones are today.

Which was the shot that sold you this exhibition?
As you can probably expect, there is not ONE shot that could be singled out from this exhibition. I love them all! The collection documents the Rolling Stones from 1963 up until now, and it’s amazing to see photographer Philip Townsend’s early image of a young, boyish-looking group in matching check jackets taken before their first TV appearance in 1963, to their first professional photoshoot by renowned British photographer Terry O’Neill. Photographs by Barrie Wentzell that document the band’s rise to success in the 1960s and 1970s, photographs of their most prolific tours and incredible intimate moments in 1968, 1969 and 1972 by Ethan Russell sit alongside live performances, and portraits by Michael Putland and Lynn Goldsmith.

I do love Terry O'Neill's shot of Mick Jagger in a fur coat from 1963 – he is just so beautiful in this photograph and could easily be a fashion model. The photographs are a wonderful way to see how style changed through the decades – the Rolling Stones definitely were not shy with their fashion!

Keith Richards, Patience Please, 1972 by Ethan Russell is another personal favourite of mine – the image depicts Keith Richards leaning against a water cooler at a US Airport, ironically next to a sign from US Bureau of Customs stating “Patience Please … A Drug Free America Comes First!”. Ethan Russell was travelling with the Rolling Stones, when he took two quick snaps. The Customs Officer came over and threatened to confiscate the film, so Ethan – knowing what he had – retired quickly. It has since been named one of the greatest rock photos of all time! And it's perfectly Keith…

MORE SHOTS OF THE ROLLING STONE YEARS: BY BARON WOLMAN