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The Rolling Stones in the press: “Mick, Keith, Brian, Bill and Charlie – Stones In Action”
In 1966, a rare Rolling Stones press conference offered a revealing snapshot of a band already uneasy with fame but fully aware of its power. Held under tight secrecy, the event captured the tension between media demand and the Stones’ growing desire for control. As fans waited outside in vain, the band slipped in unnoticed, reinforcing their myth even before a word was spoken. What followed wasn’t just press chatter, but the first public hints of their cinematic ambitions. This moment shows the Stones not merely as hitmakers, but as architects of a broader cultural identity, pushing beyond music into film and narrative experimentation.
The Rolling Stones held one of their rare press conferences recently. It was a wild scene, as usual. Although the press conference was extremely small and extra secretive, the ever-present Stone fans were lined up outside the hotel waiting for a glimpse of their favorites (which they never got because the boys came in the back entrance). After checking in at the door the press was ushered into the Cabana Room to await the arrival of the Stones.
Shortly after three o’clock Charlie, Bill, Keith, Mick and Brian paraded through the door and took their places at the table. As the flash bulbs went off Keith sat scratching his head, Brian played with his glasses and Charlie merely sat there looking either extremely bored or extremely tired. Their first movie venture, tentatively titled “Back, Behind And In Front,” is scheduled to begin filming in April and should take seven or eight weeks to complete. The entire movie will be shot in Europe and the Stones were very explicit that it will be a movie with a strong plot. (Ref. Rolling Stones in 1966)
No Vehicle
“It won’t be a vehicle for singing,” stated Mick. “We have to sing but we want it to be something with a story.” Keith went on to add that if the Stones merely wanted to make money, “we would have made one of those pop films two years ago.” Although Keith made it clear that the Stones were not in the movie business strictly for some easy money, when asked if they were expecting a fair-sized gross profit Charlie grinned: “Very much so.”
The only other question answered by Charlie throughout the whole conference was whether he was going to play himself in their upcoming movie. “Certainly not. I shall be acting,” declared the straight-faced Charlie Watts. A question which I’m sure you girls have been dying to find out was asked Mick. Is he married to Chrissie Shrimpton and if not does he have any altar plans? “It’s not true—no,” declared Mick.
Conformists?
A reporter asked Mick if he and the rest of the Stones weren’t conforming by wearing long hair, etc. “What’s a conformist?!” shot back Mick. “I don’t have to change just because everyone copies us.” (Mick) “We conform to our own standards,” added Brian. But when asked just what his standards were, Brian grinned: “I pass.” Oddly enough, December’s Children is the Stones’ fastest-selling album so far, but the Stones declare that it is actually “a mixture of very old stuff and some new things.” Brian even went so far as to say that it was “an album of rejects.” Another reporter asked Keith why the Stones disliked the older generation and he quipped: “They dislike me.” (Ref. Rolling Stones in 1966)
Mick’s Advice
Mick was questioned about any possible advice he might have to young people attempting to break into show business. He offered: “Be different from everyone else. Look different and write your own songs.” One of the funniest questions asked was what Mick thought of people saying that his actions on stage were suggestive. “They are,” he laughed. “It’s like any dancing is suggestive,” continued Mick. Another amusing question concerned where the Stones invested their money. Perhaps in themselves? “No,” quipped Mick, “we invest in more solid things.” When asked if the police always protect the Stones from their anxious fans, Mick answered: “Sometimes they don’t.”
Well, then what do the Stones “We run,” laughed Mick. In response to a reporter asking what the Stones do to avoid fans. Have you received any broken bones? persisted the reporter. “No,” deadpanned Keith, “they don’t break.” Since the Beatles received the MBE awards, a reporter wondered if the Stones thought they would be winning them next year. (Ref. Rolling Stones in 1966)
Obscene?
“No,” they chorused together. “We’ve already been convicted of obscenity charges in England,” added Keith, “so we couldn’t get any MBEs.” The Stones refused to comment further on the obscenity charges but they did admit that the charges concerned that gas station incident some months ago. But Keith did insist that “we were framed.” Mick admitted that the Stones’ music has changed considerably since they first started. “If you don’t change you’re not getting anywhere,” said Mick. Rumor has it around town that the Stones’ next single would be “As Tears Go By,” the most popular track off their December’s Children album. But the Stones told me that it wasn’t true at all and that, in fact, they were right in the middle of cutting their next single. And as soon as the record was cut it would be released.
Not Keith
The Stones have now traveled to every part of the world except the Communist countries. When asked if they were invited to visit these countries, Keith replied: ’m not afraid of the Commies, sir.” What about when the Stones retire? What will they do—settle on a farm somewhere? “I’ll settle somewhere,” said Keith, “but I don’t know about a farm.” The talk again turned to the Stones’ long hair and Keith commented: “We’re not forced to wear our hair long. I wear mine long because I have big ears!” Would he ever cut his hair? “Not unless it falls out,” laughed Keith. A reporter then brought up the fact that it was different for the Stones to be wearing long hair. After all, they were performers—but what about the ordinary kids? “If they like it, they should wear it,” answered Keith, “and, anyway, we’re ordinary kids.”
Brian’s Movie
The last question was directed at Brian. Since the Stones had been rather evasive concerning the details of their first movie, would Brian care to be more specific about the movie which he was supposed to have produced? “No,” said Brian, “I’m going to be evasive about that one too because I haven’t done it yet.” And with that, the Stones thanked the press for coming, got up and made their way to the door. But before they left they took time out to pose for some pictures for The BEAT. And then they jumped into their limousine and drove off. However, they did announce that they will be back Stateside around the end of the summer. (Ref. Rolling Stones in 1966)
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