The Rolling Stones unveil unseen photographs of Brian Jones’ final full concert with the band

The Rolling Stones have unveiled previously unseen photographs documenting former bandmate Brian Jones’ tumultuous final full concert with the band.

Brian was dismissed from the band as a result of his drug and alcohol problems in June 1969, just a month before his death, and was replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor.

Two years earlier, the rock stars had travelled to Athens, Greece, to perform to 40,000 eager fans at the Panathinaikos stadium to finish their European tour.

Behind the scenes: The Rolling Stones have unveiled unseen photographs of former bandmate Brian Jones’ tumultuous final full concert with the band. Pictured: Keith Richards

The concert on April 17, 1967, saw crazed fans try to rush on stage, police beat partygoers with batons and a member of the Stones’ team Tom Keylock lose five teeth amid the chaos.

But the tumultuous show, which had to be stopped three times, also marked Brian’s last full concert with the band before his exit and it was two years before the Stones toured again.

Fans saw Brian appear on stage with the band once more on May 12, 1968, at Empire Pool in Wembley, but he only performed two songs, making the Greek show his final full concert.

And previously unseen black-and-white photographs, which have been kept in a vault in Athens since 1967, give fans a behind-the-scenes glance at the concert.

Exit: Brian (pictured) was dismissed from the band as a result of his drug and alcohol problems in June 1969, just a month before his death, and was replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor

Exit: Brian (pictured) was dismissed from the band as a result of his drug and alcohol problems in June 1969, just a month before his death, and was replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor

Show: Previously unseen photographs, which have been in a vault in Athens since 1967, give fans a behind-the-scenes glance at the concert at Athens' Panathinaikos stadium in April 1967

Show: Previously unseen photographs, which have been in a vault in Athens since 1967, give fans a behind-the-scenes glance at the concert at Athens’ Panathinaikos stadium in April 1967

The snaps, taken by local photographer Vasilios Karageorgios, showed the band looking relaxed as they chatted backstage ahead of the drama-packed show.

In one picture, Keith Richards could be seen kicking back and smoking a cigarette as he showed off his tussled mullet hairstyle.

Another photograph showed Brian smiling as he sat on a chair wearing flared jeans, a smart black jacket and a stylish patterned scarf.

And frontman Mick Jagger sported jeans and a patterned shirt, which he wore underneath a spotted jacket and a striped scarf, as he chatted to his bandmates.

The late Charlie Watts, who died in August, was also seen in the photographs, looking solemn as he lounged on a chair. 

Kicking back: The snaps, taken by local photographer Vasilios Karageorgios, see the band (pictured: Mick Jagger) looking relaxed as they chat backstage ahead of the show

Kicking back: The snaps, taken by local photographer Vasilios Karageorgios, see the band (pictured: Mick Jagger) looking relaxed as they chat backstage ahead of the show

Smart: Frontman Mick Jagger sported jeans and a patterned shirt, which he wore underneath a spotted jacket and a striped scarf

Refreshing: Keith cut a casual figure as he made a cup of tea

Bandmates: Mick Jagger (left) sported jeans and a patterned shirt, while his bandmate Keith (right) cut a casual figure as he made a cup of tea

The legendary drummer sported jeans, a patterned shirt and a smart jacket as he chatted with Brian.

Other pictures, taken from the audience during the concert, showed the band putting on a sensational performance, which would mark their last tour show for two years – until they performed in Hyde Park in 1969 with Mick Taylor.

The concert saw 40,000 pack into the stadium to watch the legendary rock band performed on a hastily constructed stage that was surrounded by fans from all sides.

Amid the chaos, Tom Keylock lost five teeth as he jumped off the stage and tried to hand out bouquets of flowers to the public.

Reflecting on the evening, former Stones bassist Bill Wyman described the scenes as ‘madness’, adding: ‘As soon as we started the concert it was mayhem as they stopped the concert about three times.’

Good form: Another photograph showed Brian smiling as he sat on a chair wearing flared jeans, a smart black jacket and a stylish patterned scarf

Good form: Another photograph showed Brian smiling as he sat on a chair wearing flared jeans, a smart black jacket and a stylish patterned scarf

Rock star: The late Charlie Watts, who died in August, was also seen in the photographs, looking solemn as he lounged on a chair

Rock star: The late Charlie Watts, who died in August, was also seen in the photographs, looking solemn as he lounged on a chair

Just days after the Stones’ dramatic gig, Greece fell under a military dictatorship after a coup by right wing generals. 

Brian, who helped to found the band, officially left the Stones in 1969 and was replaced by Mick Taylor before he was found dead in his swimming pool at his East Sussex home on July 3, 1969.

Mick later left the band in December 1974 and was replaced by Ronnie Wood three months later, who continues to be the Stones’ guitarist.

The new images come as The Rolling Stones are preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary on July 12, with a new series being released to mark the occasion. 

The four-part series, My Life as a Rolling Stone, will tell the story of the iconic rock ‘n’ roll band and will premiere on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this summer. 

Backstage: The legendary drummer sported jeans, a patterned shirt and a smart jacket as he relaxed on a chair

Backstage: The legendary drummer sported jeans, a patterned shirt and a smart jacket as he relaxed on a chair 

Jovial: Mick, Charlie and Brian all appeared to be in good form as they sat and chatted backstage

Jovial: Mick, Charlie and Brian all appeared to be in good form as they sat and chatted backstage

Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and the late Charlie Watts will each have their own hour-long episode.

The episodes will feature brand-new interviews with Mick, Keith, both 78, and Ronnie, 74, as well as tributes to the legendary drummer, who died in August. 

As well as new interviews, the four films will feature ‘unseen footage and exclusive stories’ from Mick, Keith and Ronnie and new and archive performances. 

The programme will reflect on the band’s incredible 60-year career and show how the talented musicians came together and found success as The Rolling Stones. 

A press release says: ‘It tells the story of one of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands in a way that has never been done before – by viewing the band through the musical lens of each member, delving deep into their personalities, passions and memories from the past sixty years. 

Smoking: Keith was seen smoking a cigarette as he sat beside members of the Stones' team

Smoking: Keith was seen smoking a cigarette as he sat beside members of the Stones’ team

Dramatic: The concert on April 17, 1967, saw crazed fans try to rush on stage, police beat partygoers with batons and a member of the Stones' team Tom Keylock lose five teeth

Dramatic: The concert on April 17, 1967, saw crazed fans try to rush on stage, police beat partygoers with batons and a member of the Stones’ team Tom Keylock lose five teeth

‘Four hour-long films, each an intimate portrait of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, show how these individual musical geniuses came together to make the music that has provided the soundtrack to the lives of millions.’

Fans can also expect commentaries from the likes of soul star P.P. Arnold, The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, Guns N’ Roses axe-slayer Slash, Sir Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. 

The series will pay tribute to Charlie, who passed away at the age of 80 last summer, and will also feature archive interviews with the musician. 

The series is helmed by award-winning filmmakers Oliver Murray and Clare Tavernor.

The Rolling Stones’ manager Joyce Smyth said: ‘We are thrilled to celebrate sixty years of The Rolling Stones with these four films which give fans around the world a new and fascinating look at the band.’

Occasion: It comes as The Rolling Stones are preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary on July 12, with a new series marking the occasion. Pictured: Charlie, Keith, Ronnie and Mick

Occasion: It comes as The Rolling Stones are preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary on July 12, with a new series marking the occasion. Pictured: Charlie, Keith, Ronnie and Mick 

It was revealed that The Rolling Stones are set to rock Hyde Park this summer as part of plans to celebrate the band’s 60th anniversary during a tour of Europe.

The band finished up a highly successful North American tour in November after being knocked back by Covid and then the sad death of long-serving drummer Charlie.

But the rock ‘n’ roll legends are heading back to Europe, and will headline Hyde Park festival in June as well as a number of other UK dates.

The Rolling Stones last headlined two nights of the BST Festival in 2013 as they finished off celebrations for their 50th anniversary the previous year.

The shows were a triumphant return to the central London park 44 years after their infamous free concert there in 1969 – just two days after the death of founder bandmate Brian Jones.

Respects: The series will pay tribute to legendary drummer Charlie, who passed away at the age of 80 last summer, and also feature archive interviews with the musician

Respects: The series will pay tribute to legendary drummer Charlie, who passed away at the age of 80 last summer, and also feature archive interviews with the musician

On both occasions Mick Jagger wore a white dress in tribute to Brian. At the 1969 show they also released thousands of butterflies from the stage.  

It is not clear whether the band will perform anywhere on July 12, to mark 60 years since their first gig at the now-defunct Marquee Club in 1962. 

There has been continued speculation for much of the last decade as to whether the Stones may ever produce another original studio album.

Their 2016 album Blue & Lonesome – their first studio record for more than a decade – was a series of blues covers recorded over a marathon three-day session the year before.

The Rolling Stones play Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium on June 9, and London’s Hyde Park on June 25 and July 3.

Big plans: It comes after it was revealed that The Rolling Stones are set to rock Hyde Park this summer as part of plans to celebrate the band's 60th anniversary during a tour of Europe

Big plans: It comes after it was revealed that The Rolling Stones are set to rock Hyde Park this summer as part of plans to celebrate the band’s 60th anniversary during a tour of Europe

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