The enigmatic existence of the John Lennon-led supergroup, hidden away for years, pits them against the incredible spectacle of boxing kangaroos.
The Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus, a musical extravaganza directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, took place at Intertel Studios in Wembley, London on December 11th, 1968. This event, inspired by the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour, brought together an eclectic mix of performers, including The Who, Taj Mahal, and Marianne Faithfull.
But the highlight of the night was the formation of a supergroup named The Dirty Mac, put together by John Lennon for this special occasion. The lineup included Lennon himself on vocals and rhythm guitar, Eric Clapton from Cream on lead guitar, Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones on bass, and Mitch Mitchell from The Jimi Hendrix Experience on drums.
John Lennon, who was asked to perform at the Rock and Roll Circus without a solo band, recruited these legendary musicians to join him. Yoko Ono, his creative partner, was a key participant in The Dirty Mac, lending her vocals to the jam session "Whole Lotta Yoko." Ivry Gitlis, a renowned violinist, also joined the group for this performance.
The four members of The Dirty Mac clicked together easily during rehearsals held at Intertel Studio on the morning of the special's filming. They performed two songs, Yer Blues and Whole Lotta Yoko, which showcased their exceptional musical chemistry.
The filming process for the Rock and Roll Circus extended until 5am the following morning due to unexpected delays between acts. Despite these challenges, The Dirty Mac's performance marked Lennon's first live performance outside of the Beatles since they stopped touring in 1966.
Unfortunately, the Rolling Stones opted to shelve the entire film of the Rock and Roll Circus, and it remained unseen for many years. However, the legacy of The Dirty Mac's electrifying performance lives on, embodying the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defined the music scene of the late 1960s.
[1] The Beatles Bible. (2021). The Dirty Mac. Retrieved from https://www.beatlesbible.com/music/the-dirty-mac/ [2] The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones_Rock_and_Roll_Circus [3] The Dirty Mac - Whole Lotta Yoko. (1968). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5-hJjfKl_w [4] The Dirty Mac - Yer Blues. (1968). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XQnTWwKOv8
[1] Their exceptional musical chemistry during The Dirty Mac's performance at the Rock and Roll Circus transformed the event into an unforgettable showcase of entertainment, blending music from multiple genres.
[2] The collaboration between John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Mitch Mitchell, and Yoko Ono in forming The Dirty Mac and their energetic renditions of 'Whole Lotta Yoko' and 'Yer Blues' would come to symbolize the innovative spirit of the music industry in the late 1960s.
