In the late summer of 1968, journalists Terry Southern, William S. Burroughs, Jean Genet, and Allen Ginsberg, along with photographer Michael Cooper, were sent by Esquire Magazine to cover the Democratic Convention in Chicago. It was a turbulent and dangerous time as the opposition to the Vietnam War inflamed the Yippies to come to Chicago to protest the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the coronation of Hubert Humphrey. Chicago was a Republican city, and Mayor Richard J. Daley wanted to present a peaceful town under the rule of law to the nation. Trouble was in the air, but no one could have foreseen the lengths to which Mayor Daley would go to achieve his goal. These journalists witnessed the summoning of the national guard, a “police riot,” and upheaval unleashed on the streets of Chicago.

Chicago 1968: The Calm Before the Storm follows the events leading up to the chaos as captured through the lens of photographer Michael Cooper (who was no war photographer) with accompanying essays by Terry Southern that reflect the intimate sphere of a public and political event that would echo throughout history. Chicago 1968 recalls the events of three fateful days in late August 1968 that should never be forgotten.

In the 1960s, Michael Cooper was a successful photographer working in the London music scene. His photographs were the foundation of album covers from the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to the Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request. He was a fashion photographer for Vogue London, and collaborated on an early film adaptation of A Clockwork Orange featuring the Rolling Stones. He was as much a part of the culture of 1960s London as he was its chronicler.

Michael photographed many of the icons of the counterculture movement of that unique period. But it was his close friendship with the Rolling Stones that formed the foundation for his extraordinary career.

Brian Jones was the multi-instrumentalist band leader who arranged and designed the Rolling Stones’ musical direction, crafting a music fusion which has defined their sound and attitude ever since. He was the musical genius who created a cultural and musical phenomenon.

Brian Jones: Butterfly in the Park collects over 120 images chronicling Brian Jones’ career, his life, and in many ways his relationship with Michael Cooper, who was ever at Brian’s side with his camera, ready to record Brian’s magical presence.

Adam Cooper and his wife Silvia have opened the Michael Cooper Collection archives to bring us an insider’s view of Brian Jones and the Rolling Stones in the recording studio, live on stage, at play with their friends in Ireland and Morocco, on the cover photo shoot for Their Satanic Majesties Request, and so much more.

With an introduction by Paul Trynka, and new contributions from Donovan, Linda Lawrence Leitch, Andee Nathanson, Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola, Brian’s son Julian, and his grandson Joolz Jones, Brian Jones: Butterfly in the Park offers a unique insight into one of the most enigmatic and influential musical figures of the 1960s, as some of Brian’s friends recount their own personal experiences in nearly 9,000 words.