Formed: 1968

The lineup: John Lennon (The Beatles), Eric Clapton (Cream, The Yardbirds, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers), Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones), Mitch Mitchell (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

The story: In December 1968, The Rolling Stones shot an epic rock event destined for television - an actual circus around which the cream of rock's performers got together (including The Who, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal and Marianne Faithfull). For this one event, four titans of rock got together as well.

Dubbing themselves The Dirty Mac, John Lennon took lead vocals and guitar, Clapton provided blistering lead guitar, Keith Richards unusually played bass and Mitchell provided driving support on the drums. Lennon belted out The Beatles' 'Yer Blues' and when he screamed "I even hate my rock'n'roll" you knew the Beatles really were on their way out. Ironically, then Yoko Ono took over and started wailing.  

Album to buy: The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus