The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus is one of those great time capsules of the rock and roll era. Filmed at the Intertel TV Studio in Wembley on December 11, 1968 and directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, the movie was part rock show and part sideshow. The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus featured the original lineup of The Rolling Stones – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman – who served as the main music draw and the night’s hosts. They were joined by a diverse lineup that included The Who, who were firing on all cylinders with their explosive performance of “A Quick One, While He’s Away.” There’s also Jethro Tull featuring Tony Iommi on guitar, Marianne Faithfull, Taj Mahal, Yoko Ono and Ivry Gitlis, and the only performance by the supergroup The Dirty Mac. Comprised of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Mitch Mitchell, and Keith Richards, the group was specially assembled for the show and are seen in the film performing an incendiary take on The Beatles’ “Yer Blues” and accompanying Yoko Ono and Ivry Gitlis on the improvisation “Whole Lotta Yoko.”

The special was recently restored in Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision for a limited engagement screening across the U.S. But fans will be happy to hear that they’ll soon be able to bring the circus home with them. Today, ABKCO announced the release of several deluxe, expanded editions of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, due for release on June 7.

The new editions will be available in three physical configurations. The 2-CD Expanded Edition boasts newly remixed and remastered audio and newly discovered, unreleased performances. Among those rarities are three tracks by Taj Mahal, two classical interpretations by Julius Katchen, and three tracks by The Dirty Mac (a warmup jam, a second take of “Yer Blues,” and a run-through of The Beatles’ “Revolution”). The same remixed and remastered audio program will arrive on 3-LP, marking the vinyl debut of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus.

There will also be a deluxe 2-CD/DVD/Blu-ray edition that features the double album with newly uncovered audio; the stunning new 4K restoration featuring Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos surround sound; never-before-seen video footage; bonus performances; audio commentary, and a video interview with Pete Townshend. The discs will be housed in a perfect-bound hardcover book with a foldout gatefold design that’s packed with essays and photographs from the making of the concert special. The restored film is also available on its own on DVD or Blu-ray, and the concert will be available on digital download and streaming services.

All configurations of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus come to town on June 7, so mark your calendars and get those pre-orders in! In the meantime. As always, we’ve got Amazon links and full track listings for each configuration below! While you’re there, check out the unboxing video for the deluxe set and the remastered, remixed version of “Parachute Woman”!

Various Artists, The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (originally ABKCO CD 1268-2, 1996 — reissued ABKCO, 2019)

2-CD/DVD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray: Amazon Links TBD
DVD: Amazon Links TBD

CD Track Listing:

Disc 1:

1. Mick Jagger’s Introduction Of Rock And Roll Circus – Mick Jagger
2. Entry Of The Gladiators – Circus Band
3. Mick Jagger’s Introduction Of Jethro Tull – Mick Jagger
4. Song For Jeffrey – Jethro Tull
5. Keith Richards’ Introduction Of The Who – Keith Richards
6. A Quick One While He’s Away – The Who
7. Over The Waves – Circus Band
8. Ain’t That A Lot Of Love – Taj Mahal
9. Charlie Watts’ Introduction Of Marianne Faithfull – Charlie Watts
10. Something Better – Marianne Faithfull
11. Mick Jagger’s and John Lennon’s Introduction Of The Dirty Mac – Mick Jagger & John Lennon
12. Yer Blues – The Dirty Mac
13. Whole Lotta Yoko – Yoko Ono & Ivry Gitlis with The Dirty Mac
14. John Lennon’s Introduction Of The Rolling Stones – Jumpin’ Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones
15. Parachute Woman – The Rolling Stones
16. No Expectations – The Rolling Stones
17. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones
18. Sympathy For The Devil – The Rolling Stones
19. Salt Of The Earth – The Rolling Stones

Disc 2:

1. Checkin’ Up On My Baby – Taj Mahal
2. Leaving Trunk – Taj Mahal
3. Corinna – Taj Mahal
4. Revolution (rehearsal) – The Dirty Mac
5. Warmup Jam – The Dirty Mac
6. Yer Blues (take 2) – The Dirty Mac
7. Brian Jones’ Introduction of Julius Katchen – Brian Jones
8. de Falla: Ritual Fire Dance – Julius Katchen
9. Mozart: Sonata In C Major-1st Movement – Julius Katchen

DVD/Blu-ray:

1. Song For Jeffrey – Jethro Tull
2. A Quick One While He’s Away – The Who
3. Ain’t That A Lot Of Love – Taj Mahal
4. Something Better – Marianne Faithfull
5. Yer Blues – The Dirty Mac
6. Whole Lotta Yoko – Yoko Ono & Ivry Gitlis, and The Dirty Mac
7. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones
8. Parachute Woman – The Rolling Stones
9. No Expectations – The Rolling Stones
10. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones
11. Sympathy for the Devil – The Rolling Stones
12. Salt Of The Earth – The Rolling Stones

EXTRAS:

1. Widescreen Feature
2. Pete Townshend Interview
3. The Dirty Mac – ‘Yer Blues’ Tk. 2 Quad Split
4. Taj Mahal – Checkin’ Up On My Baby
5. Taj Mahal – Leaving Trunk
6. Taj Mahal – Corinna
7. Julius Katchen – de Falla: Ritual Fire Dance
8. Julius Katchen – Mozart: Sonata In C Major-1st Movement
9. Mick & The Tiger
10. Bill Wyman & The Clowns
11. Lennon, Jagger, and Ono backstage

FILM COMMENTARY TRACKS:

1. Life Under The Big Top (Artists) – Featuring: Mick Jagger, Ian Anderson, Taj Mahal, Yoko Ono, Bill Wyman, Keith Richards
2. Framing The Show (Director & Cinematographer) – Featuring: Michael Lindsay Hogg, Tony Richmond
3. Musings (artist, writer, fan who was there) – Featuring: Marianne Faithfull, David Dalton, David Stark