Rolling Stones: Celebrating 50 Years in Photography

Ethan Russell: ''I tended not to tell people what to do, ever. This is one of my few, what I call 'made' pictures. We were on our way to Vancouver and somebody screwed up. Couldn't fly into Vancouver. Landed on the American side and went through customs and I saw the sign. I called Keith over. So he came over and he did this pose. And then I called Mick over, because I wanted to do Jagger-Richards. And the customs man said, ''Stop right away or I'll take the film.'' I knew [it was a classic shot]. That's why I stopped!''

Ethan Russell: ''On the 1972 tour, the Rolling Stones got their plane for the first time. That is Keith's drug bag. So that's why it works for me, really. It's the logo, it's the plane, it's the corporatizing [of] the Rolling Stones and yet corporatizing them as indulgent beyond description. And yet it's real. None of it was set up.''

Ethan Russell: ''By this point I'd worked with them for quite a while. I'd started working with them in '68 and this was '72. I knew them well. By this point also I was a real photographer, I knew what I was doing. I was just like, 'The trick is to get the five of them in the frame. Get five in the frame, all pointing in the right direction, and in focus.' This was the show where [lighting designer] Chip Monck did an interesting rig. He got a big mirror made up and put it on a tilt and all the lights, all the follow spots, came from behind. It darkened the auditorium and it just was a nice effect.''

Ethan Russell: ''What's happening in the picture is, it's 1972, it's backstage, and he's just had his makeup put on. [The photograph] was in a group show of five photographers in Washington D.C. years ago. So it's the opening night and a guy comes up to me and says, 'Look how f---ed Mick is.' I say, 'No, he's not.' The guy goes, 'You don't know what you're f---ing talking about.' The guy was so attached to the idea of him being f---ed up. I didn't bother to argue. But I was sort of astounded by that. [The photograph was taken] just before the show. He's relaxed. That's it. You know, the Stones are branded. But they are not their brand.''

Henry Diltz: ''This was the New Barbarians tour for Ron Wood's solo album (1979's Gimme Some Neck). They wanted him to tour to support the album so he put a band together. It was like a Stones tour without Mick, so everything was much looser. God, it was great fun. I'm not pushy. I'm just there to have a good time and if something cool happens I'll surreptitiously snap a few photos. I tell people, 'Hanging out is the main thing.' There's a lot of hanging out. It's an art! [Laughs] And I know how to do it real well.''

Henry Diltz: ''Keith is a great subject. Because he's so cool. Anything he's doing looks cool. And he's so laidback. He's never said, 'Don't take my picture' or anything.
Here he is, he's found his limo and he's waiting for Woody to come down off the plane. He's got his New Barbarians pass there and his whiskey bottle. He just kind of went like that [with his finger]. It's Austin Powers! Michael Myers came into our gallery once and he saw that picture and my business partner said, 'Yeah, that predates your thing.' ''

Lynn Goldsmith: ''I could not help but run out onto the stage for the end of the show because I felt so strongly that Mick was thanking, bowing to the audience, becoming one with them, for giving the Rolling Stones the kind of energy that keeps the Rolling Stones rockin' on and on.''

Lynn Goldsmith: ''For some reason (one of love, of course) people started throwing their shoes. Maybe because it was an afternoon show and the band would not be able to see lit matches or lighters — this was the fans' way of saying, 'We love you.' It befuddled Mick as it did me, but you can see that expression on his face! We were all glad that this action did not catch on for any other shows on that tour or any tour I have ever been on.''

Lynn Goldsmith: ''The dressing rooms as well as the 'warm-up rooms' were always outfitted in a way that made each artist comfortable. Keith is the greatest lover of rock and roll and thus was happy to warm up before going on stage in front of Bo Diddley.''

Lynn Goldsmith: ''Who else can smoke a cigarette and play a solo at the same time?''