book data
121 ratings,
4.19
average rating, 21 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
May 1st 2000
by Chicago Review Press
(first published 1985)
details
Paperback, 400 pages
isbn
1556524005
(isbn13: 9781556524004)
description
This book has won acclaim nationwide as a masterpiece not only of rock journalism but of harrowing social history as well. Onstage and off, the Stones…more
find at:
Amazon • WorldCat • more options…
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 165)
All ratings
|
5 stars (57)
|
4 stars (39)
|
3 stars (17)
|
2 stars (7)
|
1 star (1)
|
avg 4.19
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in January, 2002
Brilliantly constructed, explosive, masterful imagery...the best book on rock and roll I have ever read, and I have read far too many books on rock and roll. Covering the Stones at their peak, the chapters alternate and tell two stories in one: the odd chapters build up to Altamont, and the even chapters build up to the death of Brian Jones. The book didn't come out until 1984, and by that point, the culture had so irrevocably changed (and the rebellious relevance of the Rolling Stones)that this...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I liked this book, but feel that it is over rated. This may be due my expectations which hoped for more insights into the stones themselves. This book read more like a concert reporter to me, and I expected more.The author's use of heavy and intellectually artistic quotes from music and literature to start off chapters annoyed me. I felt that they were meaningful moments that attempted to flesh out and even mask some surface and boring material in the chapters. Take these interesting quotes out...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2008
This book could have been so much better if the author had had his act together when he was traveling with the Stones. Of course that would have been impossible given the lifestyle and situation.
The result is a text far too focused on the author, and not enough on the Stones. I left with favorable impressions of most of them, but still wishing I knew them better. Shame.
The result is a text far too focused on the author, and not enough on the Stones. I left with favorable impressions of most of them, but still wishing I knew them better. Shame.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2009
A sad farewell to the 60s, a journal of the Stones 1969 US Tour and the story of Brian Jones and his band, written by somone who was a true believer as well as an insider. Entertaining and very moving.
I recommend it to all the 'Flower Power Week at Bloomingdales' kids who have NO IDEA just how free and crazy that era was. Their parents won't ever tell them, that's for sure!
I recommend it to all the 'Flower Power Week at Bloomingdales' kids who have NO IDEA just how free and crazy that era was. Their parents won't ever tell them, that's for sure!
This book gave me an idea of what life was like for the Rolling Stones in their early years. I found it fascinating. I loved hearing about the author's experiences with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, what their life was like on the road and how they treated the people around them. I wondered at how they kept it together and made such great music with all the chaos. I especially noted and wondered about one detail about how the band members would do drugs and get drunk and yet they had health fo...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2002
recommended to Joe by:
a good friendrecommends it for: lovers of debauchary, writers, obsessed fans
Stanley Booth's writing is fascinatingly poetic, yet well researched, journalistic.
This is the type of journalism that people like Hunter S. Thompson subscribed to, but most professors used to frown upon. I refer to the kind where the author becomes part of the subject and really can't say he's objective.
You might not need to be a fan of the band to enjoy it, but if you are then there's nothing better. The portions about Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Gram Parsons...more
This is the type of journalism that people like Hunter S. Thompson subscribed to, but most professors used to frown upon. I refer to the kind where the author becomes part of the subject and really can't say he's objective.
You might not need to be a fan of the band to enjoy it, but if you are then there's nothing better. The portions about Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Gram Parsons...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
You don't have to be a huge fan of the Rolling Stones to find this a superbly well-written, incredible piece of music journalism -- and a great book, period.
The period covered (1969-1970, ending with Altamont) is indisputably fascinating -- so good fodder for a story -- but this wouldn't be fantastic if it weren't for Stanley Booth's sane telling of it.
The period covered (1969-1970, ending with Altamont) is indisputably fascinating -- so good fodder for a story -- but this wouldn't be fantastic if it weren't for Stanley Booth's sane telling of it.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
One of the only bio's about a band that I can stomach, Booth went from a tag-a-long to a friend of the band that took in all of their temptations. It's a great companion piece to Gimme Shelter.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Oct 23, 2008
Mel
added it
Read in March, 2008
Booth almost burned out by the time this book was published - 25 years after he'd lived and written the time he spent touring with the Stones over the summer of '69.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Shitty title (think it was originally titled Dance with the Devil) but an incredible book. Booth goes on tour with the Stones and gets sucked into the dark side.
recommends it for:
the poetry of bad behavior
You don't have to give a shit about the Stones to enjoy this book, which is about the Stones the same way that Moby-Dick is about a fish.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1995
recommends it for:
trippers, grippers, ne'er-do-wells
fanfuckingtastic. required reading for the mildest fan of the stones. widely considered one of the best rock books ever written.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2001
Is this the best rock and roll book ever written? Fantastic companion piece to Gimme Shelter and Get Your Ya Yas Out.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Jan 07, 2008
Randy Costanza
added it
One of the best music books ever written. I stand behind it so much that I will give you my copy.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2000
By far the best book about the Stones and one of the best rock books ever written.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I highly recommend reading this and watching "Gimme Shelter" at the same time.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Chilling account of Altamont, etc. from one who was there, and everywhere.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Excellent account of Altamont period Stones, guest starring Gram Parsons
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2008
this is a must read if you're a die-hard stones fan.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
to-read
(on 26 people's shelves)
music (on 6 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 6 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 4 people's shelves)
biography (on 4 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 2 people's shelves)
read1990s (on 1 person's shelf)
favorites (on 1 person's shelf)
rock-n-roll (on 1 person's shelf)
pop-culture (on 1 person's shelf)
More shelves...
music (on 6 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 6 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 4 people's shelves)
biography (on 4 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 2 people's shelves)
read1990s (on 1 person's shelf)
favorites (on 1 person's shelf)
rock-n-roll (on 1 person's shelf)
pop-culture (on 1 person's shelf)
More shelves...
