YOU can’t always get what you want, but this rock and roll couple certainly did back in the swinging sixties.

Dave and Ann Barden went to see the Rolling Stones live at Oxford Town Hall in 1964 and are still together 51 years on.

Now, they have shared their memories of the date for a Stones anthology.

“Jumping Jack Flash” Dave and his “Honky Tonk Woman” Ann, of Bicester, have a starring roll in You Had To Be There: The Rolling Stones Live 1962–69.

Author Richard Houghton has collected more than 500 first-hand accounts of the Stones’ concerts to give “a front row perspective” on their early live shows.

In 1964, Dave Barden was an 18-year-old apprentice tool maker at Osberton Radiators in Woodstock Road and Ann, 18, worked in the trim shop at Morris Motors in Cowley.

On the night of Saturday, January 4, he said “Let’s Spend the Night Together” and invited her to see the Stones.

Mr Barden, 70, now a grandfather-of-eight, remembered: “We travelled in on my motorbike.

“I remember parking in St Giles, me with my Beatles high-buttoned suit and Ann in her trendy sixties mini skirt and also wearing a leather cap.”

At the town hall they paid a shilling to leave their coats in the cloakroom.

Inside, Mr Barden said: “It was a fantastic venue. We were right down at the front of the stage.

“They did numbers by Muddy Waters and also Howling Wolf – a lot of blues numbers with Mick Jagger on mouth organ.

“Mick said they had just recorded I Wanna Be Your Man.”

Despite it being a “great night”, Mr Barden said the venue was not even sold out – even with support from Oxford’s own The Falling Leaves.

Mrs Barden said: “They weren’t one of my favourites at the time – I liked The Animals, but when I walked away that night I knew who they were – I really liked them.”

The couple, both born in Bicester, were married at St Edburg’s church in 1970 and still live in the town.

Nigel Molden was a 15-year-old pupil at City of Oxford High School when he wangled two free tickets to the gig.

Mr Molden remembered: “I have a very clear memory of the band coming onstage and performing with an exotic mixture of equipment.”

You Had to Be There was published by Gottahavebooks and released on October 1. It is available at gottahavebooks.co.uk/stones and amazon.co.uk

Mr Houghton is now collecting memories of The Beatles live for his next book. Email thebeatlesinthe60s@gmail.com.