Rolling Stones book perfectly celebrates the band through decades of stunning photos
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By Ivor Levene
Now that the elation over the release of Hackney Diamonds and announcement of the 2024 tour has died down a bit, there is something that might hold you over while you're waiting for the 2024 Rolling Stones tour to start in Houston.
‘Icons’ book cover
ACC Art Books has published a book that chronicles The Rolling Stones' history through some of the most iconic rock photographers, hence the title of the book, ICONS. Stacked with over 100 images of the band, there is plenty in there to satisfy even the most hardcore Stones fan. Author Harvey Kubernik has meticulously culled images from some of the most well-known Stones-related photographers.
There are photographs from Terry O'Neill, Michael Ward, Gered Mankowitz, Bill Wyman, Linda McCartney, "Spanish" Tony Sanchez, Dominique Tarlé (who was present during the recording of Exile on Main St. in the south of France), Ken Regan and many others. The collection is intimate, stunning and a comprehensive visual history of the band. Much in the same way that Matt Lee's book, Hot Stuff, tells the story of the band through his collection of memorabilia, this book does the same thing with photography.
Keith gets his kicks playing the drums!
Photo by Michael Ward, courtesy of ACC Art Books, from the book ‘ICONS'
Many of the photos in the book are very intimate looks into life off of the stage, giving the reader an idea of what it would have been like to have been present for a rehearsal, hanging out with a Stone and, ultimately, being right onstage with them.
Rolling Stones running from ... fans?
Photo by Terry O’Neill, courtesy of ACC Art Books, from the book ‘ICONS'
No book with Stones photos would be complete without the Spanish Tony shots, which were taken in the 1970's through Sanchez's access as Keith Richards' “assistant." Sanchez wrote what is considered to be one of the most entertaining and truthful accounts of life on the road with the band, Up And Down With The Rolling Stones — filled with hilarious and debauched stories. ICONS does not detail any “historical" debauchery, but the photos certainly give you a sense of what was going on every step of the way.
Keith busking in Villa Nellcôte?
Photo by "Spanish" Tony Sanchez, courtesy of ACC Art Books, from the book ‘ICONS'
And if you're interested in the "Exile" period, the Dominique Tarlé photos represent a stunning collection of black and white photos showing mostly Keith Richards and other hangers-on while the Stones recorded the bulk of Exile on Main St. in the villa named Nellcôte.
Overall, ICONS has something in there for every Stones fan out there, for every period of the band's fame, right up to the current day.
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