BBC Music to celebrate 60 years of The Rolling Stones with a season of world exclusive programming

Mercury Studios is set to produce a series of four films for BBC Two, all of which will celebrate the Rolling Stones' 60th anniversary. The star-studded season of programming will begin airing this summer across television, radio and digital platforms.

The centrepiece film series, My Life as a Rolling Stone, will tell the story of the legendary outfit "in a way that has never been done before," by viewing the band through the lens of each member, delving deep into their personalities, passions and memories. Each of the hour long films will paint a separate intimate portrait of Mick Jagger, Kieth Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts.

The story of Watts will be told via tributes from his fellow band members and peers following his death last year.

The films will also feature newly-filmed interviews with the band members along with a stellar cast of artists who've been inspired by the outfit including P.P Arnold, Chrissie Hynde, Slash, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Steven Tyler.

Along with new content, previously unseen footage, exclusive stories and archival interviews and performances will be included in the feature.

The series is directed by award-winning filmmakers Oliver Murray (Bill Wyman, The Quiet One) and Clare Tavernor (Keith Richards: A Culture Show Special). Mercury Studios will distribute the films internationally.

The Rolling Stones' Manager Joyce Smith says: “We are thrilled to celebrate 60 years of The Rolling Stones with these four films which give fans around the world a new and fascinating look at the band.”

Lorna Clarke, controller for BBC Pop added: "What better year for the BBC, in its centenary year, to pay tribute to and celebrate one of the world’s most significant rock groups, in their 60th anniversary year. The Rolling Stones have been ambassadors for great British rock ‘n’ roll for decades and are loved the world over, so I’m thrilled that the BBC is able to present this very special season of programming, including the world-exclusive TV series, to our audiences.”

Ahead of the films' release, The Rolling Stones' legendary 1977 gigs at the 300-capacity Toronto club El Mocambo are being officially released as a live album for the first time on May 13.

Live At The El Mocambo features the Stones' full set from the March 5 show, plus three bonus tracks from the March 4 gig, newly mixed by Bob Clearmountain. Only four of the performances found their way onto the Love You Live album that followed in September 1977, which was dominated by tracks captured on the band's '75 and '76 tours – with the full set having never been heard before.