The new retrospective not only guides fans through a half-century of the band’s musical heritage, but also presents more than 500 unseen artefacts from the Stones’ personal archives. Visitors can expect rare instruments, iconic costumes, personal correspondence and, perhaps most intriguingly, items referred to as ‘backstage paraphernalia’.

Ever the exhibitionists

“We've been thinking about this for quite a long time, but we wanted it to be just right and on a large scale,” says Mick Jagger. “The process has been like planning our touring concert productions.” The exhibition opens at the Saatchi Gallery on 5 April 2016, staying until 4 September 2016 before moving on to its next location.

Photos: Rolling Stones Archive