Amsterdam exhibition explores The Rolling Stones' formative early years

PanARMENIAN.Net - 'Breaking Stones 1963-1965. A Band on the Brink of Superstardom'. A brilliant new exhibition and book with photos by Terry O’Neill (1938) and Gered Mankowitz (1946) that captures the youth, the times and the spirit of The Rolling Stones’ formative early years. And documenting 1963–1965 were two young British photographers just starting out in their careers. The exhibition at Eduard Planting Gallery in Amsterdam runs from 14 May until 9 July 2016, Art Daily said.

In the early 1960s, the world was undergoing extraordinary social changes where class, money and power collided and the younger working class became the new idols of art, film, literature and music. In July 1962, a group of young men played a gig at The Marquee Club on Oxford Street, London. They called themselves 'The Rollin' Stones' and little did they know they would soon be making music history.

1963 was a crucial year. There was a whiff in the air. Terry O’Neill, aged just 25, had a few years’ experience photographing musicians and knew that The Rolling Stones had the same magic as another British phenomenon that just recently started to chart, The Beatles. O’Neill’s pictures of The Beatles began to spread and soon the Stones' manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, invited him to see them perform. The photographer was able to capture candid shots both on and off stage, resulting in spontaneous and exciting images and the start of pop pictures in newspapers.

As the band was starting to record and tour, Gered Mankowitz came along. His first shoot, the now famous Mason’s Yard session, was so fruitful, Gered was asked to tag along on tour to America. He was a mere 19 when he picked-up his camera and joined the band in 1965. During this 9 week tour Gered photographed The Rolling Stones on stage and off. He continued working with the Stones as their 'official' photographer, producing photos for albums, press and publicity.