50yrs of Rolling Stones history opens in 'Exhibitionism'

  • 05/04/2016
The Rolling Stones (AAP)
The Rolling Stones (AAP)

For five decades the Rolling Stones have shaped rock music and made headlines around the world.

They may have got older, but the rockers still know how to make an exhibition of themselves.

They're still one of the biggest music acts in the world and now they have the biggest exhibition of its kind.

Fifty years of Rolling Stones history have been brought together in one experience.

"It's a look back on the Rolling Stones," says singer Mick Jagger. "There's pictures, a lot of brilliant photographs taken by very good photographers.

"It's a mixture of art and nostalgia. I'm not sure if it's an exhibition about a band, or is it an installation?"

It's taken more than two years to edit down a huge collection of archives, memorabilia and original instruments into nine immersive galleries. There are original lyrics and the master tapes from studio sessions.

Called Exhibitionism, it's about much more than just the music.

For a band that made the stage their home, an art gallery is new territory.

"Developing all these different ways of presenting all these different facets of the band was quite a challenge really," Jagger says.

"I wanted it to be a combination between lots of information, on screens, and also some touchy-feely things and what people are really interested in. It's a punt."

Lead guitarist Keith Richards says he found it to be an incredible walk through their lives.

"Other people, if you're not one of the Stones, you're going to see it in a different light. But for me, it's quite emotional really."

Last month the Stones made history again with a free concert in Cuba.

But they say this exhibition doesn't mean they're turning their backs on rock and roll, and that's something that will give their fans a lot of satisfaction.

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