When Mick met Keith
28 January 2010
SCULPTURES: A model of how Mick and ‘Keef’ would look outside Dartford railway station.
PLANS to have a momentous chance meeting that shaped the history of British rock immortalised in bronze have been revealed.
Sculptor Anthony Hawken is hoping to build two statues depicting the meeting of Keith Richards, then a student at Sidcup Art College, and Sir Mick Jagger almost 40 years ago at Dartford railway station.
He created the nine-foot statue of legendary Charlton keeper Sam Bartram at the Valley ground, and now hopes to do the same with the Stones duo.
Having drifted apart after primary school, the duo met again in October 1961 and discovered a mutual love of music that would lead to some of the UK's most memorable tunes.
Mr Hawken, who lives in Lewisham, wishes to recreate that moment with two nine or 10-foot bronze statues.
He explained he was inspired by his friend Ian Cartwright, who he met when commissioned to produce the Sam Bartram statue, a keen music and football fan. Mr Hawken said: "Ian said he went to Liverpool and they had this stuff with the Beatles and thought, why don't we have anything here in Dartford to recognise the Stones?"
A scale model in Dartford Museum shows Jagger with two LP sleeves believed to be by American blues artist Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry's Rockin at the Hops and Richards carrying his guitar case.
Both stars were both born in Dartford and attended Wentworth Primary School, but it was not until years later, as Richards travelled to college and Jagger to the London School of Economics, that their friendship was rekindled.
Mr Hawken, who has also produced works of Melvyn Bragg and Antony Worrall Thompson, explained that his plan had been set back by the recession but he was now investigating a number of avenues for funding.
He added: "What we really need is to get hold of Mick Jagger and Keith. If we can get them interested then I think we can push things along."
A comment book for visitors to write their views is also placed next to the glass-cased model.
Negotiations with Dartford Borough Council are ongoing with discussions over funding and the best location for the monument, expected to be at the train station.
Built out of bronze, the statues would quickly oxidise to turn a dark green colour should they be built in the open.
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