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David Bailey Captures The Rolling Stones Magic
Iconic and official photographer of the Swinging ’60s in London, Bailey also photographed the Stones for the following album covers: The Rolling Stones No.2, 12 x 5, The Rolling Stones, Now!, Out Of Our Heads (U.S. edition),Get Yer Ya-Ya’S Out!, and Goats Head Soup (for which he also did the album design). Also, one of Bailey’s photos of the Stones was used on a Times Square billboard in NYC to promote the December’s Children album in 1965. Mick Jagger was best man at Bailey’s wedding to French actress Catherine Deneuve in 1965. A year later, in 1966, Bailey planned to make a film titled The Assassination of Mick Jagger, but the project never got off the ground.
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni The Rolling Stones and British photographer David Bailey had a pretty iconic connection that went beyond just taking pictures. Back in the ’60s, when the Stones were emerging as rock ‘n’ roll legends, Bailey was at the forefront of capturing that energy on film. The man practically defined the era’s style and attitude with his bold, often intimate portraits of the band.
Bailey was the photographer behind some of the most famous shots of the Stones, including some of their early album covers up to the Goats Head Soup one in 1973 and the in singles like the Jumpin’ Jack Flash one. He managed to perfectly capture the raw, rebellious vibe of the band, showing them not just as musicians, but as rock ‘n’ roll icons. He clicked with them on a personal level, too—Bailey had a reputation for getting right up close and making his subjects feel comfortable, which helped him get those truly authentic moments.
He and Mick Jagger also had a personal relationship, with Jagger often being the subject of Bailey’s lens, but their bond wasn’t always smooth. Bailey’s strong personality sometimes clashed with Mick’s, leading to a few tense moments. Still, they respected each other, and the work they created together became a key part of rock history.
David Bailey was more than just a photographer; he helped shape the visual identity of the Stones during a pivotal time in their career. His work with them left an undeniable mark, and the legendary photos still resonate with fans today as symbols of the era’s cultural revolution.
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