Stones rock Guernsey 60th anniversary

Monday, 19 August 2024 11:34

Evergreen pop band the Rolling Stones played three gigs in Guernsey exactly six decades ago.

The Rolling Stones were already a household name when they played Guernsey on 18, 19 and 20 August 1964.

Hits at the time included Little Red Rooster, Route 66, Not Fade Away and It's All Over Now.

Jennie Mahy recalls the gig well:

"They were famous. Obviously not the big names they became. But they were famous. I mean, it was great to go. And it must have been affordable, I have no idea what we paid, but we had no money to speak of.'

The original line up flew into Guernsey Airport. Mick Jagger was on vocals, Keith Richards and Brian Jones on guitar, Bill Wyman on bass and Charlie Watts on drums.

They had trademark, relatively long, unkempt hair and all were thin, with prominent cheek bones. Compared to the Beatles, who had played Candie Gardens in St Peter Port the year earlier, the Rolling Stones very much played up to their image as the bad boys of rock and pop.

The venue for their three night tour was St George's Hall along the St Peter Port seafront. 1,000 fans packed it out and Jennie Mahy said it was exciting:

"We enjoyed it and we made a lot of noise, jumping up and down and all that. It was every teenage girls dream!'

At the time a bunker on L'Ancresse Common was used for parties and it is understood the Stones went there.

After their Guernsey gigs they travelled to Jersey to play two nights.