Despite studying at Dartford Grammar, home of The Mick Jagger Centre, and being a regular on the Princes Park terraces, where Start Me Up marks the players’ arrival, until Monday morning I knew next to nothing about The Rolling Stones.

One of the world’s most enduring bands had been almost completely alien to me, so it is testament to their new exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery that I might now consider myself something of a fan.

Nine galleries across two floors have been painted black for Exhibitionism, housing more than 500 unseen artifacts from the Stones’ personal archive.

To a novice, stepping into the gallery, greeted by a recreation of the Olympic Studio where so many of their hits were recorded, was overwhelming.

Such a sight may drive more diehard fans to a state of sheer delirium.

They have been told the journey of the Stones from a chance meeting at Dartford station to the world’s most iconic arenas plenty of times before, but never quite like this.

For Tony Cochrane, the brains behind the exhibition, it represents a chance to enjoy “a tapestry” of memories and history.

“I think putting the exhibition together has been emotional for the Stones,” he said.

“It is tremendous to look at this rich tapestry of history that only the Rolling Stones can create.”

And what a tapestry it is, though sewn together by guitar strings rather than thread.

Guitars, of course, make up a huge part, with dozens upon dozens of Les Pauls and Gibsons lining the walls, including one given to Ronnie Wood by Johnny Depp.

Quotes from Keith and Ronnie reveal that they treated their guitars as their friends.

“We’ve been thinking about this for quite a long time but we wanted it to be just right and on a large scale." Mick Jagger.

There are also enough original and replica outfits to fill a walk-in wardrobe 100 times over, although no sign of Richards’ flamboyant garb from his turn opposite Depp in the third Pirates of the Caribbean film.

Many of the getups were worn by Sir Mick, who is excited to see the exhibition finally open after more than three years of planning.

“We’ve been thinking about this for quite a long time but we wanted it to be just right and on a large scale,” he said.

“The process has been like planning our touring concert productions and I think that right now it’s an interesting time to do it.”

There is backstage paraphernalia and original stage designs from Madison Square Garden and Earl’s Court, although unfortunately I could not spot any mock-ups for an impending show at the Dartford Festival.

Dartford does play its part, as it well should.

There are pictures of a three-year-old Jagger at his Brent Lane home in 1946 and as a young pupil at Wentworth Primary School.

The Edith Grove Gallery also houses stories of the band’s early years together, including the famous reunion at Dartford station, and recreates life in their first flat, right down to the atrocious smell.

Also on display are some of Jagger and Richard’s earliest notebooks, which showcases the instant fusion that made them so successful. Richards describes their musical bond as ‘incredible’.

“It is tremendous to look at this rich tapestry of history that only the Rolling Stones can create.” Tony Cochrane.

“Recording was always experimentation, that is what I love about it,” he says.

“It is that interaction in the studio with the guys, the band, producers, engineers, saying, ‘What do you mean you can’t do that? Come on! Let’s figure a way of doing it!’. That’s the fun of recording, for me.”

The early days are a big part but their heyday dominates.

Film director Martin Scorsese and artist Andy Warhol are some of the famous faces to have helped bring the exhibition to life, showcasing the band’s place in the worlds of film and art.

An entire room is dedicated to their famous logo and the collaborations with photographers, artists and graphic designers that bore each of their album covers.

The most fun I, and probably most other visitors, had was with the interactive features, including a mixing board that allows you to deconstruct the Stones’ biggest hits.

Want to listen to Jagger belt out Start Me Up without any instrumental backing? Now you can.

The exhibition is topped off by a stunning 3D film of a Stones concert, brought to life all the more by an ear-shattering surround sound system. For those not fortunate enough to have attended such a gig, this is the next best thing.

Stones producer Don Was says the key to their success is “huge personality and charisma”, and the Saatchi Gallery now has both in spades.

Exhibitionism is open until September 4 and tickets are on sale at stonesexhibitionism.com.