THEN & NOW THE ROLLING STONES

Welcome to Then and Now, where each week we compare images of Manchester streets, landmarks and buildings from bygone days with how they look today

THIS week we focus more on people rather than landmarks – although the band that visited Manchester in January 1964 are probably now regarded as a national institution.

They are, of course, the Rolling Stones and they were in the city to film the TV music show Top of the Pops at the Dickenson Road studios in Rusholme.

Pictured in the line-up are, from left, a youthful Mick Jagger on lead vocals, drummer Charlie Watts, guitarist Brian Jones, bass guitarist Bill Wyman and lead guitarist Keith Richards.

Formed in 1962, the Stones had released two singles in 1963 – a version of Chuck Berry’s Come On in June and the Lennon and McCartney number I Wanna Be Your Man in November. Both reached the Top 30.

Their breakthrough came in February 1964 when the single Not Fade Away, credited to Buddy Holly, went to No. 3. The band hit the Number One spot with It’s All Over Now in June 1964.

Fast forward more than half a century to June 2018 and we see the Stones playing Old Trafford football ground as part of their No Filter Tour.

Jagger, Watts and Richards are still on stage, but they’ve been joined by guitarist Ronnie Wood.

In their long career, the Rolling Stones have notched up record sales of more than 240 million, making them one of the biggestselling music acts of all time. They have also won three Grammy Awards.

● Many more images from Then and Now are featured in The Changing Face of Manchester published to mark the 150th anniversary of the M.E.N.

● It’s on sale at £14.99 including postage and packing. Order your copy online at inostalgia.co.uk or ring the order hotline on 01928 503777.

together in Manchester. Best was Summerbee’s best man at his wedding to Tina Schofield in 1968.

December 18: Members of the Salvador Troupe demonstrate the tricky art of balancing during rehearsals for the Christmas Circus at Belle Vue.

An annual event at the Kings Hall, the circus ran for more than 50 years after being introduced by John Jennison in 1922.

Animal acts always proved popular, including polar bears, tigers, elephants, camels and horses. Ringmaster George Lockhart, known as the ‘Prince of Ringmasters’, retired at the age of 90 in 1972.