STORY AND PHOTOS FROM ROGER BARONE’S ATTEMPT TO SNEAK INTO ROLLING STONES “STEEL WHEELS” PRESS CONFERENCE AT GRAND CENTRAL STATION IN 1989

Rolling Stones poster created with my Grand Central Station photos. Most of the pictures were taken through the legs of credentialed photographers blocking my view from outside the secured area. © ROGER BARONE 1989

ROLLING STONES: GRAND CENTRAL STATION, NY (JULY 11, 1989)

I was working for a local community paper at the time the Stones were booked into Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium. The Stadium was in the heart of our circulation zone, so I didn’t anticipate any problems obtaining a photo pass for their press conference in New York. Our publication, small in circulation terms compared with the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, was nonetheless  legitimate, having been in circulation since 1937.

Unfortunately, I was denied credentials and essentially ignored. After my disappointment and feelings of disrespect eased, (there was plenty of room for a representative of our publication,  as I discovered later, on-duty New York City cops were photographing the event for themselves ) I decided to try and sneak into the Stones press conference in Grand Central Stadium. The document that follows is the story of my attempt to photograph the Stones’ press conference on July, 11, 1989.

PDF READ MY STORY: FROZEN STONES: An autobiographical account of meeting and photographing the Rolling Stones

NEW YORK TIMES PHOTO OF MICK JAGGER INCORRECTLY IDENTIFIED AS A 1982 PHOTO FROM PHILADELPHIA JFK STADIUM

ROLLING STONES: JFK STADIUM (SEPTEMBER 26, 1981)

This photo by Michael Putland was published in the October 30, 2009 edition of the New York TImes with an incorrect caption. The photo is from the Stones September 26, 1981, appearance at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia.

 

MICK JAGGER DURING OPENING SHOW OF ROLLING STONES 1981 TATTOO YOU TOUR AT JFK STADIUM

Mick Jagger looks into the camera during the opening show of the Rolling Stones' 1981 Tattoo You tour at Philadelphia's JFK Stadium. © ROGER BARONE 1981

ROLLING STONES: JFK STADIUM (SEPTEMBER 25, 1981)

ROGER BARONE’S “ROMANCING THE STONES” IN THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE WEBLOG GOES LIVE

Mick Jagger is escorted to the JFK Stadium stage in Philadelphia. The Stones were touring in support of their "Some Girls" recording. © ROGER BARONE/PHOTOSFROMPHILLY

ROLLING STONES: JFK STADIUM, PHILADELPHIA (JUNE 17, 1978)