The Rolling Stones’ Giant Inflatable Phallus: First Appearance at Baton Rouge, 1975

The giant inflatable phallus made its debut at the first show of the Rolling Stones’ 1975 Tour of the Americas, on June 1 at LSU Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. It rose from the back of the stage during “Star Star” (the band’s deliberately foul-mouthed tribute to groupies), wobbling about 40 feet into the air.

Audience reaction was split: some fans roared with laughter, others booed or stared in stunned silence. Local press called it “tasteless” and “juvenile,” but the band leaned into the outrage—Mick Jagger later said it was just a bit of fun that got people talking. The prop appeared on and off for the rest of the tour, then was quietly retired until a brief revival in the 1990s.