Instant Karma!

Performance, Dave Davies, Bob Dylan’s wiskey, Mary Lattimore, Peter Asher

With its focus on sex, drugs, gender ambiguity and graphic violence,

Performance is seen as the definitive depiction of rock culture in 1968. it’s also a cornerstone of Rolling Stones mythology, a source of inter-band friction and an example of how the band embraced their darker side. Despite all that, Mick Jagger has rarely discussed his role as turner, the film’s reclusive pop star and hedonistic provocateur. But when author Jay Glennie decided to write a book for the 50th anniversary of the film, he knew he needed to speak to Jagger. “Mick hasn’t really talked about

Performance because the release was delayed for two years while he quickly moved on,” explains Glennie. “Whatever happened on the set of Performance was nothing compared to what happened on tour with the Stones in the ’70s. But his image did become a little bit turner after Performance: his hair colour, his haircut, his stage persona, the clothes – he took a bit with him.”

the project began when Glennie made contact with Performance producer Sandy Lieberson, who

granted access to a “treasure trove” of previously unseen images and ephemera from the film. these now illustrate the book alongside new interviews with Jagger, Lieberson, James Fox and Nic Roeg.

“Mick answered all my questions, including whether the threesome [with Anita Pallenberg and Michèle

Breton] was real,” says Glennie. “he laughed and said, ‘Let’s leave it to legend,’ but the crew told me it was as method as you can get.”

there are numerous myths surrounding the film, some of which Glennie was able dispel. Roeg rubbished suggestions that he demanded to have his name removed from the credits, while Fox denied that the shoot caused him to abandon the film world for God. “James said he knew he wanted his life to change long before Performance and his conversion was always going to happen,” says Glennie.

Other rumours proved harder to refute. Fox wouldn’t be drawn on whether he had participated in a genuine bank robbery during his research, although the presence of experienced criminals on the set certainly added a frisson of danger to the production.

Kray associate David Litvinoff was one such character, using his street knowledge to lend the film authority. Glennie describes Litvinoff's role as “very influential. he had proper tales to tell and they went into the film.”