Dartford's musical legend Sir Mick Jagger invited his old school's headmaster and pupils to a Stones gig

by Thom Morris

tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

Dartford legend Sir Mick Jagger invited his old school’s headmaster and pupils to a Stones’ gig, it has emerged.

Dartford Grammar School for Boys head teacher John Oakes joined Year 11 students Adam Lorkin, Henry Metcalfe and Jason Taing to watch The Rolling Stones’ 50th Anniversary gig at the O2 Arena.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood were all on stage in their first gig together since 2007.

Jason said: “We were invited not only to watch The Rolling Stones perform live from the pit right at the front of the arena by the stage, but also to explore backstage and stand on the stage where the band would perform.

“I was extremely fortunate to be able to see them perform live and discover what it was like behind the scenes. The show was just so spectacular. It was an amazing experience, and we all enjoyed it.”

Now 69 years old, Sir Mick proved he still had it performing hits including Get Off of My Cloud, Paint it Black, Wild Horses and Jumpin’ Jack Flash back in November.

Mick Jagger during a visit to the school in 2010

During the gig he quipped to his hoard of fans: “It’s taken us 50 years to get from Dartford to Greenwich’.

Mr Oakes said: “I took the phone call in the middle of a parent’s meeting in my office – it immediately caused a complete distraction away from the focus of the meeting.

“It was a complete surprise and an enormous privilege to be asked by Sir Mick to bring three students to the O2 on the final night of the Golden Anniversary tour.

“Our guide said we must know somebody very important to be backstage just as The Rolling Stones were doing their final sound check.

“Rubbing shoulders with other legendary rock stars was quite surreal.

The Rolling Stones in their early years

“Jason, Henry and Adam in their uniforms also assumed celebrity status, and many Rolling Stones fans were very familiar with the link between Sir Mick and the school.

“The boys were even interviewed and filmed for television.”

Jagger attended Dartford Grammar on West Hill while Richards was at Dartford Technical School in Wilmington.

Noticing they both carried guitar cases, they rekindled their relationship, having both been pupils of Dartford’s Wentworth Primary School in 1951, at Dartford railway station a decade later.

Surprises for the army of fans that went to see them at the 02 included original bass player Bill Wyman, 76, who left the band 20 years ago, and guitarist Mick Taylor, 63, who last played with the band in 1974.

There were also special appearances by Mary J Blige who joined the Stones for Gimme Shelter, Jeff Beck who performed on I’m Going Down while Bill Wyman played on Honky Tonk Woman and Mick Taylor played on Midnight Rambler.