When it comes to The Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet, the music is only half the story. The other half lies in the visuals—most memorably, the infamous banquet photo. It’s a chaotic, rebellious, and intriguing scene, perfectly reflecting the album’s themes.
By this time, The Stones were no longer content to be Britain’s second-favourite band—they were out to redefine themselves as cultural provocateurs in contrast to the squeaky clean (for now) Beatles.
If the Stones were intent on shaking up the establishment, this picture was their manifesto.
Seeing this image up close at the Iconic Images Gallery – Piccadilly was an unexpected The Beggars Banquet photo, tucked into a corner during a Prince exhibition caught my eye, as I knew the image but hadn’t really paid attention before. For this this was not the final album cover image.
Depending on which version you have it is a picture of a graffiti covered toilet wall, taken by Barry Feinstein in a rundown LA gas station, or a simple white cover with an invitation.
The album itself marked a turning point for The Rolling Stones, a return to their blues roots after the more experimental sounds of Their Satanic Majesties Request laying the foundations for the Greatest Rock N Roll band. Released in December 1968, Beggars Banquet was both a critical and commercial success, hailed as one of the band’s finest records and the start of a classic run of albums that would last until Exile on Main Street.
It was also the last album to feature Brian Jones in a major role before his tragic death in 1969. With tracks like “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fighting Man,” the album became iconic for its raw energy and bold commentary on politics and society. Other highlights include “No Expectations,” showcasing Jones’ haunting slide guitar, and the gospel-tinged “Salt of the Earth.” Beggars Banquet laid the groundwork for what many consider the Stones’ golden era, continuing with Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main St.
We wouldn’t see the entire band on an album cover for 6 years until 1974’s It’s Only Rock N Roll, by which time Brian’s replacement Mick Taylor was on the way out of the band/
Who took the Beggars Banquet photographs?
The photograph was shot by Michael Joseph, a South African-born photographer celebrated for his theatrical, detail-rich compositions. Known primarily for his work in the 1960s, Joseph had a knack for capturing artists in uniquely surreal and memorable ways. Beyond the Stones, his portfolio includes work with music and cultural icons of the era, cementing his status as one of the leading photographers of his time.
Where was the Beggar’s Banquet shot?
The shoot took place at Sarum Chase, a striking Tudor-style mansion in Hampstead, London. Built in the 1930s as the home and studio of portrait artist Frank O. Salisbury, its Gothic interiors provided the perfect backdrop for the scene’s mix of opulence and decay. Sarum Chase still stands today, and its association with the Beggars Banquet shoot certainly gives it potential as a London rock landmark.
The photo itself is rich with symbolism. A golden goblet spills its contents, a half-eaten feast lies forgotten, and should we ask why there is a sheep on the stairs?
It’s a visual feast that offers up something new on every view. Whilst I love the picture, it’s too chaotic to hang on my wall.
Mick Jagger, with his sly grin and rakish outfit, looks every inch the Artful Dodger—a nod to Dickens’ street-smart character that perfectly mirrors the album’s themes of rebellion and grit. Around him, the other Stones each play their roles, contributing to a scene that feels both theatrical and anarchic.
Michael Joseph’s vision for the shoot brought together decadence and disorder in a way that felt alive with detail. The props weren’t random—they were carefully chosen to amplify the tension between opulence and decay. The Stones themselves look like they’ve wandered in from different worlds: aristocrats, vagabonds, and jesters, all crammed into the same debauched setting.
You can see the Beggars Banquet, and many other wonderful rock photographs at the The Iconic Images Gallery – Piccadilly.
16 Waterloo Place, St. James’s, London SW1Y 4AR, United Kingdom
Are you a fan of this album? Let me know in the comments!
