Skip to content

Lost Rolling Stones photos to go on display in London

Spanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books The Stones dressed up and sat amongst the cows for their 'Beggars Banquet' album cover shoot in 1968Spanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books
Photos by Spanish Tony were thought to be lost but were rediscovered decades later in a loft in south London

More than 25 previously lost and unseen photos of the Rolling Stones by one of their photographers and his assistants are to go on display in London.

The Elegantly Wasted exhibition features photos taken by Tony Sanchez, affectionately called Spanish Tony by guitarist Keith Richards.

The photos were previously thought to be lost but were rediscovered decades later in a loft in south London.

Host Oliver Bayliss said fans and collectors were "in for a real treat".

The exhibition organisers said the 27 limited edition prints, which are for sale, demonstrated the "unprecedented access" Mr Sanchez had with the band and were "one of the most important photographic records of The Rolling Stones to come to the market in years".

Spanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books Image showing Mick leaping forward onstage as the band play behind him in 1968Spanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books
Some of the photos show the band playing during their Rock and Roll Circus concert film

The collection showcases the rock legends at their "decadent peak", including at parties, posing for album cover shoots and during live performances, including their Hyde Park concert, they added.

Mr Sanchez worked and lived with the band during some of their most popular years, from Beggars Banquet in 1968 through to their infamous exile in the south of France in 1971 during their tax affair troubles.

Spanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books Two strips of black and white negatives of Keith and Anita togetherSpanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books
The images also include personal moments, such as of Keith Richards and girlfriend Anita Pallenberg at the 1971 Monaco Grand Prix

Spanish Tony passed away in 2000 and was described by Keith Richards in his autobiography, Life, as "a hard man". "Biff bang! One of those," Richards said.

"He ran a gambling casino for Spanish waiters, after hours… with a Mark 10 Jaguar, two-tone, all done up pimp-style."

Spanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books Charlie Watts and Keith Richards sitting with teacups on the floorSpanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books
Charlie Watts and Keith Richards taking tea together in the 1960s

Oliver Bayliss from Bayliss Rare Books is hosting the exhibition, which is taking place at J/M Gallery near Portobello Road, in Notting Hill, north London.

"I spent months trawling through Tony's archive - thousands of negatives and contact sheets - and am blown away by Tony's unique eye and the quality of these images," he said.

"Fans and collectors alike are in for a real treat."

Spanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books Keith Richards, Anita Pallenberg, Robert Greenfield and friends dancing in a lineSpanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books
In this photo, captioned The Pied Piper, Keith Richards leads the way at Redlands in the late 1960s

The event is being co-hosted by Spanish Tony Media, formed by Mr Sanchez's grandsons.

Matt Dominguez, director of Spanish Tony Media said: "This is a rare opportunity to see unique and unseen images of the band."

Spanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books Mick Jagger and Keith Richards performing onstage in a blue jumpsuit with stars and silver shirtSpanish Tony Media/Bayliss Rare Books
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, aka the Glimmer Twins, on stage in the 1970s

Entry to the exhibition is free but ticketed. It runs from 29 February to 5 March, with a private viewing event on 28 February.

All images subject to copyright.

Presentational grey line

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]