Michael Joseph is best known among music fans for the photographs he made over a two day session (in London and Derbyshire) with The Rolling Stones in June 1968 for their Beggars Banquet LP.
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Sarum Chase – 7 June 1968
The first session took place at the 1930s gothic mansion Sarum Chase in Hampstead, London on Friday 7 June 1968.
Michael Joseph recalls his technique for composing and photographing the band and the host of live animals in two hours: ‘I made all sorts of noises through the megaphone to keep them amused and they obeyed me implicitly,’ he says, ‘luckily the Stones also behaved likewise! They could relax and I’d shoot on “three” and a few odd noises later!’
Swarkestone Hall Pavilion – 8 June 1968
The second of the two days took place outdoors at Swarkestone Hall Pavilion, Derbyshire.
Michael Joseph and the band arrived at Swarkestone before the camera and props team. Michael recalls his efforts ‘to keep the Stones occupied whilst we waited as I felt if given a chance they may scarper to a local pub and never come out!’ Shortly after the smoke bombs were lit for Stones at Swarkestone, Joseph says, ‘we heard a police siren wailing and then two jovial coppers came over to say they’d had a fire reported, but they were pleased to see the band posing – sadly they left before I had a chance to ask them to be in the shot!’
Biography
Michael Joseph was born in Kimberly, the Capital of South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, in 1941. His father was heavily involved in Anti-Apartheid activities, especially fundraising, and all of this gave Joseph early exposure to politicians and social reportage from South Africa. During his time at University he was sent to Vietnam to photograph the war and as a result he was commissioned to many advertising assignments and made his name as a photographer. On arriving in London in 1962, Joseph studied at The London College of Printing and Graphic Arts.
Our interest lies with Michael Joseph’s best known rock ‘n’ roll work: his 1968 weekend session with the Rolling Stones for their classic album, Beggar’s Banquet.