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The Rolling Stones’ Hyde Park show in 1969 is remembered for Mick Jagger, 250,000 fans and the emotional weight of playing just days after Brian Jones’ death. But before the Stones took the stage, a rather unusual British band was trying to make its own mark on one of the biggest rock events of the year. The Battered Ornaments brought their sprawling mix of rock, jazz and blues to Hyde Park, only to remain largely buried beneath the Stones’ enormous shadow. Their appearance is now a fascinating footnote to July 5, 1969—a day when even the opening acts had quite a story to tell.
The Rolling Stones’ Hyde Park ’69 Show: Opening Act Story
The Battered Ornaments (aka Battered by the Ornaments) was a British psychedelic-era band led by Peter Brown -composer of most of Cream’s lyrics– with Brown on vocals and Pete Bailey (percussion), Charlie Hart (keyboards), Dick Heckstall Smith (sax), George Kahn (sax), Roger Potter (bass), Chris Spedding (guitar) and Rob Tait (drums)- who were infamous for their infinite jams and who were among the opening acts for the Stones at Hyde Park in 1969 along with King Crimson (at the time a pioneering progressive rock band), Family (known for their eclectic mix of rock, jazz, and blues), Alexis Korner’s New Church (led by no other but blues legend Alexis Korner), Third Ear Band (an experimental group blending jazz and early musis), Screw (a much lesser-known band from the era) and folk-rock singer-songwriter Roy Harper.
The Stones’ performance on July 5, 1969 marked an unforgettable moment in rock history, but before Mick Jagger and company took the stage, The Battered Ornaments set the tone for the day with their unique blend of jazz, blues, and rock.
The Battered Ornaments opening for The Rolling Stones: A Powerful Yet Underrated Moment at Hyde Park
Their energetic performance, although overshadowed by the Stones’ iconic show, remains a fascinating part of the day’s musical history. The band had earned a reputation for their powerful stage presence and their eclectic musical style, which included influences from rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock. However, despite their talent, The Battered Ornaments struggled to achieve lasting commercial success, and their set at Hyde Park has since become one of their most remembered performances.
Hyde Park 1969: A Turning Point for The Rolling Stones and British Music
The Hyde Park concert was not just a milestone for the Rolling Stones but also for the British music scene in general, as it highlighted a moment of musical diversity. The presence of The Battered Ornaments as the opening act emphasized the vibrant and experimental nature of the era’s music scene. This concert also marked the first time the Stones performed live without Brian Jones, who had tragically passed away just days before. The Battered Ornaments’ performance, while lesser-known, was a part of the emotional and transformative atmosphere of that unforgettable day.
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