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On August 2, 1964, the Rolling Stones performed for a crowd of 16,000 fans at the Longleat House Pop Festival near Warminster. The event was chaotic, with over 200 fans injured in the frenzy. According to a policeman’ words, “We could easily have some dead on our hands if things go on as they are.” But luckily things didn’t escalate that far. Despite the dangerous situation, the show went on. The Rolling Stones earned £1000 for their performance, sharing the stage with Danny Clarke and The Jaguars, and Tony Rivers and The Castaways. A short silent private film of the shows is supposed to exist, but it never showed up.
When the Stones Ruled Wiltshire: Chaos, Crowds, and the Rise of Legends
It’s hard to believe now, but in 1964 The Rolling Stones played five times across Wiltshire. At that point, they were still building their fame—but you’d never know it from the crowds. One of the wildest moments came on August 2nd, when 16,000 fans packed the grounds of Longleat House for the venue’s third Pop Festival. The band played on the mansion’s steps, and the atmosphere quickly tipped into chaos. Despite the mayhem, the show powered on. It was a turning point: the Stones were no longer just a promising R&B group—they were a cultural force, stirring excitement (and hysteria) wherever they went. Admission that day? Just 2 shillings and sixpence.
From Ballrooms to Bedlam: The Early Wiltshire Gigs
The Stones’ Wiltshire debut came earlier, on October 27, 1963, as part of a star-studded bill at Salisbury’s Gaumont Theatre. But it was their gigs at Swindon’s McIlroys Ballroom that really sparked a local frenzy. Playing three times there between November ’63 and April ’64, the band saw their crowds—and fame—grow fast. Fans queued for hours in the cold, screaming from the moment the Stones arrived in their lipstick-covered van. Brian Jones stood out in early reviews, with local press praising his guitar tone and stage presence. Their final McIlroys show coincided with Cilla Black performing elsewhere in town—a fitting symbol of the peak British Invasion moment. By mid-’64, with a No.1 hit under their belt, the Stones had officially outgrown Wiltshire’s dance halls—but they left behind memories of pure, sweaty, unforgettable rock ’n’ roll.
Longleat House: History, Heritage, and a Wild Twist
Fifteen years earlier, in 1949, Longleat House became the first stately mansion in the UK to open for business to the general public. This creative strategy produced revenue while protecting the house. In fact the estate remains a well-liked tourist destination because it is home to the first safari park in the world outside of Africa.The Thynn family has lived in the house for centuries, and their legacy is reflected in the extensive collection of art, furniture, and literature that are housed there.
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