The Rolling Stones Release Restored Version Of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”

The Rolling Stones have released 4K restored versions of the two official music videos of their classic “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” was initially released as a standalone single in May of 1968. It surfaced between 1967’s “Their Satanic Majesties Request” and 1968’s “Beggars Banquet.” The single topped the charts in the UK and was a Top 5 hit in several countries.

Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg (The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, Let It Be), the two different versions (one with makeup and one without) of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” were shot over the course of a single day at Olympic Studios in London during the spring of ’68.

The new video releases of the song in 4K resolutions show the first version featuring a makeup-free Stones and just simply incorporating the vocals and all other instruments. While, the version that features Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with makeup also uses a new vocal from Jagger taking over the backing track from the single. Director Lindsay-Hogg explained:

“We shot the one without the makeup first. They were great. As we were doing it, I felt there was an ingredient missing, although at that point I didn’t know what it was. We had a small meal break and I saw Brian Jones sitting by the makeup table and sort of playing with the colors-putting it on his face and then wiping it off-and I thought, ‘Huh. That’s a real interesting look.’ And so I said to Mick, Keith, Charlie and Bill, ‘Just go over there to the makeup table and see what it’s like if you put some stuff on your face-either stripes or eye makeup, or full-face glitter, whatever strikes you.’

“They worked with our very bright makeup person Linda DeVetta and they kind of got into it. After about an hour they looked different, especially Keith and Brian. Then we found the big, space alien glasses. We got something much better than we might have had, left to our own devices. It crystallized what it should be. It’s one of those serendipitous moments where all the things that might have gone wrong, didn’t.”

Lindsay-Hogg continued:

“The director of photography, Tony Richmond, and I thought there’s another way to light them as well, because it was kind of general performance lighting on the first one we shot in the early afternoon. In the second version, we shot them in these shadows. It was much more to do with shadows, and Mick coming in and out of light, and that whole little walk he does at the beginning. We put that together, and that’s the one they liked best because it had a slightly decadent feel to it.

“When I edited them and played them back, they loved the videos. I’d hate to think they didn’t, because then I went on to do their videos for 15 years.”

Meanwhile, the Stones recently wrapped up their 60th anniversary European tour in Berlin, Germany. You can watch the videos below.