This work is a combination of two images. The one at centre is a sepia monochrome of the controversial image which was originally intended by The Rolling Stones for the album cover.
It was rejected by both Decca and London records. The controversy delayed the album's release for six months. The graffiti that says "God rolls his own" may also have created
some controversy - whether or not it referred to toilet paper.
Behind the graffiti is a photo of The Rolling Stones in a Victorian setting from a photo session that was also intended to produce a cover design for Beggars Banquet. It was shot by
Michael Joseph in 1968, the year the album was released.
The controversy also resulted in a complete change of heart by The Rolling Stones. The album was released in this cover design. The banquet now has a formal invitation with the
letters R.S.V.P. on it (Répondez s'il vous plaît; "Reply if you please"). I also added it to the graffiti above.
No. 20, Entertainment Weekly, 100 Greatest Albums Ever; No. 41, Rate Your Music, The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time;
No. 58, Rolling Stone, The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time; No. 282, The Virgin All-Time Album Top 1000.
Album produced by Jimmy Miller. Decca (UK), London (US) 1968.
Here's the controversial dirty toilet album cover. The photo was taken by Barry Feinstein in a tiny toilet at a Porsche repair shop near Hollywood Boulevard.
(A) Sympathy for the Devil - No Expectations - Dear Doctor - Parachute Woman - Jigsaw Puzzle
(B) Street Fighting Man - Prodigal Son - Stray Cat Blues - Factory Girl - Salt of the Earth
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