As an expectant crowd spilled out onto Chelsea’s King’s Road, Monday’s red carpet opening looked close to becoming a “Stones stop the traffic” moment.
Space was left for the band’s two black limos to sweep into the courtyard of the Saatchi Gallery and, for a few brief minutes, this once happening part of London swung again. Passers by stopped to wonder what all the fuss was about and one local Chelsea couple on their way home pondered how it was possible that, in all these years, they’d never seen The Stones before.
Plans for the band to play at this opening night however, never materialised, something to do with the neighbours.
Back in town after an historic show in Cuba last week, Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ronnie were soon ushered through to a veritable trip down memory lane.
Exhibitionism, which opened to the public on “Ruby Tuesday”, includes a recreation of the Edith Grove flat shared by Brian Jones, Richards and Jagger, who described the place as “pungent”.
Stage costumes, shoes, suits and, of course, guitars all feature in this nine-room retrospective.
While the band and curator, Ileen Gallagher were keen to avoid a purely chronological exhibition of the group’s five and half decade career, there is no doubt the show will appeal to the nostalgic souvenir seeker.
The Stones’ impact on popular culture beyond music is evident throughout and, if the demographic at their 2013 British Summer Time gigs in London’s Hyde Park is anything to go, then Exhibitionism will attract all ages. Running until September, the exhibition will then, like the band it features has done for five decades, hit the road, touring the world for the next four years.
For more, visit www.stonesexhibitionism.com
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