Photographer: Michael Joseph
Date photo taken: 1968
Image W: 200 mm H: 150 mm
An out-take photograph from the Rolling Stones at Swarkestone on the 8th June 1968.
This photo hasn’t ever been published as it was taken as a lighting test – however now you can acquire it, immortalised as a print on aluminium, with a little extract from one of their songs, a sentence to remind us of how grateful we should be for what we have.
This photo has an ethereal, almost haunting quality to it. The main focus is an old, weathered stone building with arched windows and a Gothic feel. Wisps of smoke or fog partially obscure the scene, giving it a mysterious and dreamlike atmosphere. The image is taken from a low angle, with tall grass and plants in the foreground, adding to the sense of depth and nature overtaking the abandoned structure.
Through the haze, you can make out several figures on the upper floor of the building, appearing ghostly and spectral due to the smoke. These figures are members of the Rolling Stones, though their faces and features are blurred, contributing to the mystical quality of the photograph.
At the bottom of the image, there is a handwritten quote: “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try, sometimes, you just might find, you just might find, you get what you need!” This line is from the famous Rolling Stones song, and it adds a layer of nostalgia and sentiment to the scene, echoing the band’s rebellious and iconic legacy.
The whole composition feels like a tribute, capturing both the timelessness of the band and the haunting beauty of forgotten places.
