ROLLING STONES | 1969. Rehearsing in The Beatles' apple Studio. Savile now. LONDON "The great and one and only BE Fallon (who was then - and very muen still is - a journalist working in london) happened to be a friend in Amsterdam' for Melody Maker. Consequently, they asked him to of mine. He had scooped an interview with John Lennon lin bed interview the Stones who were rehearsing at The Beatleg' Apple studio in Savile Row for their concert in Hyde Park. Wick Taylor had just joined from John Mayall after the death of Brain Jones. of one of the best photographers It was to be the only interview, so naturally he enlisted the nelo around. Me. Except, as it happened. I had only been an assistant photographer for a year and didn't know a whole lot. The Stones didn't want us there - well, Darticularly a photographer - and decreed no flash. BP and I had prior meetings at the Apple offices with the legendary Derek Taylor and BE seemed to know everyone. no was that coming in ...? George Harrison of course. For me, a young country boy whose parents had wanted me to go into the army, this was magic. I was green and I was living a fairly rock and roll lifestyle anyway but this was some big deal! The day came. The Stones were there. Mick was playing around on a Gibson Flying V but where was Keith Time came and time went. Then, there was a stirring. Coming down the sweeping staircase, surrounded by 'blokes in suits', floated Mr Rock 'n' Roll himself. As if a god from on high - well this was the Sixties. Finally, they kicked off. Just the Rolling Stones, BP Fallon and me. I tried to make myself inconspicuous, which was difficult. out I went about my business as quietly as possible. i was terrified that they might actually tell me to bugger off. BP gave Mick a joint, which we three shared - I have the image on film of Mick, joint in hand, at the mike singing and dancing his heart out. It was not long after his and Keith's big bust and I'm not sure he was happy with me taking photographs of him with a spliff. So, I put my camera down until the soliff was done. All these years later. I can see something in the pictures that we seldom got to see after. They were relaxed. Unconcerned not preenins and pouting for the lens. and yet when MJ sang. ne with a camera in their eye-line. They were in their own thoughts. came alive. He danced and moved his hips and preened and pouted. that Mick Tavlor sat with his head in his amp with his back to The consummate performer, even for himself. The only problem was me. Nothing personal but finally I had to pluck up courage to ask them to pose for me. 'One for Melody Maker?! Taylor barely turned around, and Jagger went into an impression of a spoilt, slouchy school kid. Charlie and Bill, though, were models of civility. Two frames and that was it. I certainly wasn't going to ask them for more, or to do it properly. When all was done, and I have no recollection of how long it took - would vou?- BP and I stayed while the others ambled off BP talkine to Mick for a moment, cadging a lift in the Bentley. We went upstairs together and as lick walked out of the front door. he was accosted by several, seemingly very young, sirl fans. He charmed them in a moody, cool rock-star way and, as I waited benind him, I noticed a rather smart Jensen Interceptor slow down right in front of where we were. The driver checking out the tableau in front of him. He seemed familiar. Was it? Could it be? it was! I had even taken myself into Newbury Odeon on the bus two days in a rOw to watch Summer Holiday. Cliff! The one and only. In this, the final year of that decade, here was, not one. but two Rock Heroes! Mr 1961 and Mr 1969. Ten years of monumental change. Mr Then and Mr Now, right there in front of me. And I was. albeit in a totally inconsequential way, a part of it. The one nero supplanted by the other. Even at my tender age, the irony was not lost on me, not one jot. Many years later I worked with Cliff on a few occasions. I shot one of the three covers for his Silver album. A smarter, nicer guy you couldn't hope to meet. Then or now." Willie Christie