Rolling Stones Photos & Stories From Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love

Mick Jagger performing with the Rolling Stones during the first of two nights at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Jagger is seen wearing a Stones’ crew jacket featuring the tour logo on the back while singing the opening song “Honky Tonk Women.” PHOTO: © ROGER BARONE 2024

NOTES:
Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones at the Spectrum 49 years ago today.. Photo was taken from the first row. I was standing on a red cloth-covered seat, balancing myself on the front edge, so it didn’t collapse on the rear where there was no weight support.

I was next to screaming, clapping and dancing fans, knocking into me all night. I was knocked off the chair several times. Getting good shots was challenging. Getting great shots was a matter of luck. as I had only been using a camera five months. I got five LUCKY pics. Among them, Jagger’s leap with legs extended horizontally, featured in the “God Bless the Spectrum” book. The above photo is one of my clunkers, given life via AI ediing programs.

I used a Pentax single-lens-reflex camera. There was no auto-focus, no auto-advancing, no 20 frames-per second, and no way to judge exposure until the film was developed. I shot about 9 rolls of film during their two nights in Philly (36 shots to a roll). Essentially, I was limited to 1 frame every 3 seconds after advancing and refocusing.

I used both tungsten and daylight-balanced films (kodak ektachrome, pushing them two and one stops respectively). Daylight under red lighting was a washout. Tungsten shot under white lighting created a blueish tint.

I owned two lenses: a 50 mm, 2.8 that came with the camera and a 200mm f4, vivitar lens that was incredible. Sometimes when using the 200mm Jagger was too close to focus about ten-feet away when leaning forward in front of me. What a problem: the subject being TOO CLOSE.

Interesting Tid Bit: Local South Philly resident and Philadelphia policeman, Mike Stermal, led the police escort of the Stones arrival in Philly. They drove in from New York. Ronnie Wood sat in the front seat of the jeep with officer Stermal, and asked for a badge. Stermal found him one. Mike also worked at the Spectrum in security and ushering when not policing.

PHOTO: June 29, 1975

~ by photosfromphilly on July 4, 2024.

Posted in Mick Jagger, roger barone rolling stones photos, rolling stones philadelphia, rolling stones photos from philly, rolling stones vintage photos, Spectrum Arena
Tags: clair brothers sound rolling stones 1975, electric factory concerts presents the rolling stones, mick jagger blue jacket, rolling stones philadelphia, rolling stones photos by roger barone, rolling stones vintage photos