Statues of The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richards unveiled in Dartford – photos
The Glimmer Twins
Last updated 9th Aug 2023
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards have been immortalised with statues in their hometown of Dartford, Kent.
The bronze sculptures, named The Glimmer Twins in homage to Jagger and Richards’ song writing partnership, are the creation of sculptor Amy Goodman and they were unveiled earlier today (9th August) in Dartford’s town centre at One Bell Corner.
The statues capture both Jagger and Richards in the midst of live performance, and they were commissioned by Dartford Borough Council to celebrate two of the town's most famous former residents.
The genesis of The Rolling Stones stretches back to 17th October 1961 when Mick Jagger spoke to Keith Richards at Dartford Railway Station.
Jagger and Richards, who had previously attended Wentworth Primary School a year apart, struck up an immediate friendship over their love of music, and Richards soon joined the group Jagger fronted called Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys.
When the band broke up, Mick and Keith met Brian Jones and Ian Stewart and The Rolling Stones were formed in 1962. Mick and Keith’s song writing partnership as The Glimmer Twins is, of course, one of the most successful in rock history.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards statues in Dartford:
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards statues 'The Glimmer Twins' in Dartford
Mick Jagger statue in Dartford
Keith Richards statue in Dartford
Amy Goodman with 'The Glimmer Twins' statues in Dartford
Amy Goodman with the Mick Jagger statue in Dartford
Amy Goodman with the Keith Richards statue in Dartford
Amy Goodman has sculpted many notable public commissions in her career, including a bust of Florence Nightingale which resides in Aldershot, the Romsey War Horse statue which stands in Romsey Memorial Park, both in Hampshire, and the sculpture of the late British Formula One driver Sir Stirling Moss at Silverstone, Northamptonshire.
She said: “This has been a really unexpected dream commission. To get the opportunity to sculpt these icons whose music I absolutely love has been overwhelming, mind blowing and emotional.
“Playing their music, surrounding myself with their material while I sculpted them helped a lot and I just wanted to create the best, most dynamic piece I could.”
Leader of Dartford Council, Jeremy Kite, said: “Wherever they are in the world, it’s clear that Sir Mick and Keith never forget their origins. They have been amazingly supportive to young people’s music projects in Dartford and have proudly worn their Straight Outta Dartford t-shirts in front of tens of thousands.
“We want to inspire a new generation of creative young people to be themselves and achieve things. Hopefully the story of Dartford’s own two Rolling Stones will be an inspiration.
“I’d like to thank Bellway London for funding this fantastic sculpture, and of course Amy Goodman, who has created an eye-catching celebration of Dartford’s modern history. Amy has contributed to the character of our town and created a landmark that will last for generations. Thank you Amy.”
Rock stars immortalised as statues:
Marc Bolan statue in Barnes, London
In September 2002, a bust of legendary T. Rex singer Marc Bolan was unveiled at the location of the car crash that claimed his life aged 29. The T. Rex Action Group (TAG) launched Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine in 1997 (the 20th anniversary of his passing) with a memorial stone, and five years later the bronze sculpture of Bolan was revealed. It was paid for exclusively by T-Rex Action Group founder Fee Warner, sculpted by Canadian sculptor Jean Robillard, and unveiled by Bolan's son Rolan Bolan. The sculpture features lyrics from Tyrannosaurus Rex's 1968 song 'Child Star.'
Brian Johnson statue in Namur, Belgium
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Freddie Mercury statue at Lake Geneva
The iconic Freddie Mercury statue overlooking Lake Geneva in Montreux. Standing three metres high, the Irena Sedlecka sculpture was unveiled five years after Freddie's death by Montserrat Caballé and Freddie's mother Jer.
Freddie Mercury statue at Lake Geneva
A close up of the incredible Freddie Mercury statue in Montreux.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards statues
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards were honoured with statues in their hometown of Dartford, Essex on 9th August 2023. The bronze sculptures, named The Glimmer Twins in homage to Jagger and Richards' song writing partnership, are the creation of sculptor Amy Goodman. The statues capture both Jagger and Richards in the midst of live performance, and they were commissioned by Dartford Borough Council to celebrate two of the town's most famous former residents.
Keith Richards statue in Dartford
Mick Jagger statue in Dartford
Rory Gallagher statue in Cork
Irish blues-rock legend Rory Gallagher has been honoured twice with a statue. The first was unveiled in the newly renamed Rory Gallagher Place in Cork in 1997, and was created by local artist Geraldine Creedon. The unqiue bronze sculpture takes the form of a guitar on one side, while the other features overlapping Rory Gallagher song lyrics.
Rory Gallagher statue in Ballyshannon
Created by artist David Annand in 2010, this life-sized bronze statue of Rory Gallagher was unveiled in Ballyshannon town centre. Standing proudly at 7ft tall, beneath the statue are the opening lyrics from Rory Gallagher's 1979 song 'Follow Me', which read: "I want to plant a star on the sky / One you can find at the end of the night."
Ronnie James Dio statue in Bulgaria
After Dio's untimely death in May 2010, the metalheads on the town council of Kavarna in Bulgaria immediately commissioned a statue in his honour. It was unveiled in October of that year.
Bon Scott statue in Fremantle
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Phil Lynott statue in Dublin
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Jimi Hendrix statue in Isle of Wight
In honour of Jimi's fabled 1970 Isle of Wight Festival performance, a bronze statue was unveiled at Dimbola House in 2006. Created by John Swindells, the plaque comes with the Jimi quote "It's funny how most people love the dead, once you're dead you're made for life."
Elvis Presley statue in Mississippi
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Chuck Berry statue in St Louis
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Frank Zappa in Baltimore
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Johnny Ramone statue at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
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Buddy Holly statue in Clear Lake, Iowa
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Kurt Cobain statue in Washington
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Freddie Mercury statue in London
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Bon Scott statue in Kirriemuir
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Jimi Hendrix nail statue
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Lemmy statue at Rainbow Bar & Grill
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David Bowie statue in Aylesbury
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Chris Cornell statue in Seattle
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John Bonham statue in Redditch
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The Beatles statues in Liverpool
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Buddy Holly statue in Texas
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Stevie Ray Vaughan statue in Austin, Texas
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Jimi Hendrix statue in Seattle
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Phil Lynott statue in West Bromwich
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Till Lindemann statue in Germany
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