Home   Kent   News   Article

Plans for lasting tribute to Rolling Stones legends

A statue of Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
A statue of Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

Would you get any Satisfaction from seeing two of Dartford's music legends set in Stones?

That's the question being posed after an artist immortalised Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in a series of statues and claimed they should find a permanent home in the borough.

Professional sculptor Anthony Hawken says there would be no better place to erect the tribute than Dartford railway station, where a chance meeting between the two young musicians in 1962 gave rise to The Rolling Stones.

Mr Hawken said: "I was talking with a friend about famous people from this area and as a football fan he had been up to Liverpool and said the statues of Lennon and McCartney were brilliant.

"We've got the Stones and their roots down here, so we should have something similar for them. There seem to be lots of places in Dartford where a statue could go, but I think the station would be the most fitting place."

Mick Jagger returns to Dartford Grammar School
Mick Jagger returns to Dartford Grammar School

Richards and Sir Mick, who were both brought up in Dartford, first crossed paths as youngsters at Wentworth Primary School before heading their separate ways when the latter secured a place at Dartford Grammar School and the former began studying at Dartford Technical College.

By then Richards, whose first home in Chastilian Road was destroyed by a V1 flying bomb in 1944, was living in Spielman Road, part of the new Temple Hill estate. Sir Mick lived with his parents in Denver Road.

Dartford Borough Council leader Cllr Jeremy Kite said he had hoped to place a commemorative plaque to the pair and the band on the station platform, but plans were put on hold after Network Rail announced proposals for a major refurbishment.

Keith Richards
Keith Richards

He added: "We do get quite a few tourists visiting Dartford to go to Wentworth School or the station, so I think we would be really keen to do something.

"There are a few options we're considering, and finance is always an issue, but it's certainly on our agenda."

What do you think about the statue? Leave your suggestions below.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More