In pictures: Rare Rolling Stones photos feature in exhibition

John Lennon and Mick Jagger at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus — Image caption,
A free photographic exhibition at Windsor Library shows rare images of rock stars from the 1960s, as captured by local photographer Michael Randolph. It mainly features his work as a stills photographer on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus concert, filmed in 1968, but he has many memories of times the stars performed in the Berkshire town.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

“From the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s I worked as a dark-room printer and photographer at David Barry’s Studios, in Peascod Studio, Windsor,” Mr Randolph said, “and the nearby Ricky Tick club showcased the start of some of the world’s greatest rock bands".

Mick Jagger at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

In the early 1960s, the Star & Garter in Peascod Street was also the place to be with now legendary acts playing including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and The Yardbirds. The Rolling Stones played at the Ricky Tick Club above the Star & Garter for the very first time in December 1962.

Yoko Ono, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Brian Jones at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

The Rolling Stones used to hang out in the Café Cantata on Eton High Street during their residency at the Ricky Tick Club, and Brian Jones had a girlfriend in Windsor. Randolph recalled parties in the meadows by the Thames near Eton College with Jones and Rod Evans, the first singer of Deep Purple.

Dirty Mac supergroup with Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Mitch Mitchell and Keith Richards at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

Mr Randolph rubbed shoulders with rising young rock stars of the time including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Doors. He became the stills photographer for The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus and captured Dirty Mac, a supergroup featuring Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Mitch Mitchell and Keith Richards.

The Who at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

Mr Randolph also recalled The Who drummer Keith Moon falling into the Thames after a party at the Old Windsor Friary Club. "Swinging London never came close to those first few years in Windsor," he said. The exhibition runs at the library in Bachelors Acre until 29 September.