Directing The Beatles is just one part of his long and tortuous career
“Mick is creative,” he says, “but he is also extremely practical.”
In 1968, around the time the Rolling Stones’ album “Beggars Banquet” was released, Jagger asked him to direct a televised concert film. A few weeks later, Mr. Lindsay-Hogg called Mr. Jagger and said, as he recalls, “I’ll say seven words to you: “Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus.” “And he understood. . It just sounds right.”
The production, filmed during a grueling day-long shoot at the London soundstage, included performances by Who, Jethro Tull and a supergroup called Dirty Mac starring John Lennon, Eric Clapton and Yoko Ono. The Rolling Stones closed the show. Now considered a classic, the film was shelved until 1996, when it premiered at the New York Film Festival.
“In late January 1969, while working on ‘Let It Be,’ I gave a rough cut to Mick, Keith and Allen Klein,” he said, referring to guitarist Keith Richards and the group’s manager at the time. “When it was all over, they thought He was amazing, but didn’t think the Stones were as brilliant as they could be. Keith said, “If it was called ‘The Who’s Rock and Roll Circus,’ I wouldn’t mind.”
Mr. Lennon’s appearance caused little surprise. Mr. Lindsay-Hogg has worked with The Beatles since 1966, when he directed the promotional films for “Paperback Writer” and “Rain.” Two years later, he’s topping the videos for “Revolution” and “Hey Jude.”
Let it be?
In late 1968, Mr. McCartney asked him to direct a television special to accompany the album the band was about to record. Mr. Lindsay-Hogg was enthusiastic, but he knew from experience that “four Beatles would be four opinions”.