The Rolling Stones Launch Beggars Banquet in True Rock ’n’ Roll Style

On This Day 5th December 1968

On this day in history The Rolling Stones hosted a now legendary launch party in London to celebrate the release of their new album, "Beggars Banquet" a record that marked a return to their blues roots and is now considered one of the greatest albums in rock history.

The event itself has gone down in music folklore. Held at the elegant Gore Hotel in Kensington, the “banquet” quickly descended into a riotous food fight, complete with custard pies, cream cakes, and flying éclairs. Photographers captured the band dressed in mock Victorian finery, laughing as chaos broke out around the table. The images became as iconic as the album they were promoting.

Notably, Keith Richards was absent due to illness, though the rest of the band carried on the festivities in true Stones fashion. The food fight wasn’t staged; it erupted spontaneously during a photo call and instantly became part of the group’s rebellious mythology.

The album’s original design was also a source of drama. Initially, the Stones wanted a provocative cover featuring a graffitied toilet wall complete with scrawled messages, political jabs, and bathroom humour. Decca Records refused to release it, deeming it offensive.

As a result, the album was first issued with a much tamer, plain white cover resembling a formal dinner invitation a cheeky contrast to the raucous real-life banquet that launched it. The original graffiti cover was finally restored decades later and is now widely recognised as the definitive artwork.

Step Into the stories behind Rock’s most Infamous moments on my Rock & Roll tour of Soho as we explore the venues, clubs, and studios that shaped the careers of bands like the Rolling Stones. We will visit the recording studio of the Stones first album and where Jagger and Richards originally auditioned for the band in what became its inaugural line up.

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