Mick Jagger

This portraitback to top

David Wedgbury (1937-98) was the first staff photographer to be employed by Decca Records, who had signed the Rolling Stones in May 1963. Decca was a major UK pop record company of the 1960s, in competition with EMI, label to the Beatles. The Gallery holds over thirty of Wedgbury's portraits from this period, including his 1968 photograph of the Stones taken at the Elizabeth Rooms, London, when the band organised a press launch for the release of their album Beggars Banquet.

Events of 1964back to top

Current affairs

Harold Wilson narrowly wins the general election for the Labour Party, the first of his four election victories.
Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans become the last people to be executed in the United Kingdom before capital punishment was abolished in 1965.
The Sun newspaper replaces the Daily Herald.

Art and science

Top of the Pops begins its reign as the longest running television music show. The first broadcast was presented by Jimmy Savile and included the Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, The Hollies and The Beatles, who were the show's first number 1 with I Want to Hold Your Hand.

International

The Civil Rights Act is passed in the USA, outlawing discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex or national origin. The Act abolished the 'Jim Crow Laws' in the Southern States, making forced segregation illegal.
After spending two years in prison Nelson Mandela is sentenced to Life in Prison for the crimes of sabotage and crimes equivalent to treason against the Republic of South Africa.

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