The Rolling Stones in Soho, London, 1964

Iconic Images /Terry O'Neill

The Glimmer Twins during the recording of Hackney Diamonds, 2023.

Happy 60th birthday :)

Well I think I know why I feel so empty now. I really feel like I've accomplished my purpose in life. I've been a fan of the Stones since I was five. I don't even know if a 5yo should be listening to the Rolling Stones (legally) but that's okay, I am french, I didn't speak a word of english at that time. I didn't speak a word of english until 7th grade actually. I had always wanted to understand what Mick was saying so here we are. I learnt english with Mick Jagger. And I also learnt a lot of adult stuff in his lyrics but eh, ig that's rock'n roll babyyyy

I remember in middle school and some years before how the kids would come and ask me who was my favorite singer, my favorite celebrity, who I wanted to be like and I'd answer "Mick Jagger" with a french accent because it took me 5 entire years to understand that French people didn't pronounce his name correctly. And they'd be like "who the fuck is he" and leave me but that's okay I didn't like them either (that's a story for another day).

I wanted to play guitar so I could be free like Keith Richards (wrong choice kiddo you're a bassist now). I spent hours reading Life (and everything I could find. Literally everything.), trying to find the secret, the hidden recipe for becoming a great rockstar. I cut my hair just like Mick's and I experienced my first gender crisis. I used to say he made me bisexual but what I was actually trying to say is that I was gay and trans. (Good job on that one.) And I'm not even telling the best parts.

Anyways. I wasn't able to see them on their last tours because of money issues. But this summer, less than two weeks ago, I saw them. Two times. I was kinda far from the stage and I'm only ~170cm tall so ofc there were taller guys in front of me but I was there. I saw them move and breathe and play their music and I was fucking mesmerized like LOOK MOM THEY'RE REAL I TOLD YOU. I don't think I'll be in that state ever again, even if I met god while getting the mail. I'm kinda jealous of the people who were closer to them but whatever. Those two nights were the best of my life. And I'm reaaally sad they're over.

Who am I kidding with my medical school plans. I'm gonna be an artist and I always knew it.

KEITH and his GUITAR SIXTY ... SIX

A collage made of elements from The Rolling Stones Book July 1966.

" He caresses his guitar with the fondness a mother would have for her child ... Perhaps it's the best friend he will ever have - it's certainly never let him down yet."

No Jones, no Stones! Isn’t it?

ROLLING STONES

Keith Richards Pre Rolling Stones show backstage on the 1972 Tour of the Americas Strumming on his Gibson Firebird. Digging the tape on the Cats Snakeskin Boots.

Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards performing live onstage with the Rolling Stones July 1975 at the Cow Palace, Daly City.

Keith Richards & Rolling Stones performing at The Boston Garden July 18, 1972 (Photo by Ron Pownall/Corbis via Getty Images)

Rolling Stones Keith Richards, Los Angeles, 1965, photographed by Jean-Marie Périer.

The Rolling Stones in NYC 1975

Guitarist Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform at Madison Square Garden during the band's "Tour of America '75" on June 25, 1975, in New York.

Rolling Stones Portrait

1967: Rock and roll band 'The Rolling Stones' pose for a portrait in 1967. (L-R) Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Brian Jones. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The Rolling Stones in concert in 1982 The Rolling Stones in concert in front of 80,000 people at the Hippodrome d'Auteuil in Paris on June 13, 1982, France. (Photo by Bertrand LAFORET/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Jagger At Wembley

Singer Mick Jagger performing with the Rolling Stones at Wembley Empire Pool, London, 7th September 1973. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Keith Richards on a TV set

CIRCA 1968: Guitarist Keith Richards of the rock band "the Rolling Stones" plays a Fender Telecaster electric guitar while performing on the set of a TV show with a video camera behind him in circa 1968. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Keith Richards

Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones smokes a cigarette while wearing sunglasses and a cream coloured hat circa 1967. (Photo by Mark and Colleen Hayward/Redferns)