What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mammoth Book of the Rolling Stones
As the legendary band celebrates their fiftieth anniversary, this comprehensive anthology acts as a commemoration to the Rolling Stones' legacy as one of the most transformative rock ‘n' roll bands of all time. Fans of all ages will delight in reliving defining moments, as well as gain new insight into the band's history of musical milestones.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Sean Egan
70 books23 followersA freelance journalist, author and editor who writes about arts and entertainment (music, film, TV, comics and literature), social history (20th and 21st centuries) and sport (soccer and tennis history).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 17, 2015
The book was one of nostalgia, The Rolling Stone interview with Keith from 1970. Reviews of all their major works most of which I agreed with. Views also from Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. Interesting that Sean Egan who reviews the albums continually in all the albums after Some Girls considers Charlie is always too high in the mix.
Most interesting was a document Mick Jagger wrote to give his side of the story as to the feud between him and Keith and also the reasons for the poor albums after Some Girls.
On the whole a very interesting insight throughout.
Most interesting was a document Mick Jagger wrote to give his side of the story as to the feud between him and Keith and also the reasons for the poor albums after Some Girls.
On the whole a very interesting insight throughout.
June 28, 2019
Mammoth isn't an exaggeration, as this book weighs in at over 525 pages. It contains reviews of all the Stones records, as well as a couple of interviews with Mick and Keith and commentary from various rock and roll writers, some recent, others vintage, some well known, others less so.
The book moves chronologically through the Stones 50 plus year career, and reflects the Stones change from Rock and Roll rebels putting out an album (yes, they were albums back then) a year to essentially a corporation, coasting on their reputation and putting out almost nothing of note for the past three decades. The one who wanted a knighthood (Mick) got it, despite a rather notable lack of charitable giving often associated with such a title. The one who couldn't have cared less (Keith) didn't. And so it goes with the pair.
Love them or hate them (and probably some combination of both) one has to admire their sheer tenacity to make first music, then later money. They seem to both love and hate each other, if not themselves, as well. This is the band in which the key participants stole girlfriends, cucked each other, denied credit for songs, denied space for songs, and ridiculed each other publicly, amongst many other shortcomings (tiny togger indeed). After reading this book one is glad that the Beatles broke up rather than felt compelled to stay together to make money, amidst ever increasing rancor.
If you only have 15 minutes, the best article to read is by Bill Wyman (no, not that Bill Wyman), imagining Mick's reaction to Keith's book. It's on a slightly higher level than most of the rest of the articles, yet also sums most of them up nicely. And let's face it, reading about all the bad behavior and gossip is fun. Just be sure to shower afterwords.
The book moves chronologically through the Stones 50 plus year career, and reflects the Stones change from Rock and Roll rebels putting out an album (yes, they were albums back then) a year to essentially a corporation, coasting on their reputation and putting out almost nothing of note for the past three decades. The one who wanted a knighthood (Mick) got it, despite a rather notable lack of charitable giving often associated with such a title. The one who couldn't have cared less (Keith) didn't. And so it goes with the pair.
Love them or hate them (and probably some combination of both) one has to admire their sheer tenacity to make first music, then later money. They seem to both love and hate each other, if not themselves, as well. This is the band in which the key participants stole girlfriends, cucked each other, denied credit for songs, denied space for songs, and ridiculed each other publicly, amongst many other shortcomings (tiny togger indeed). After reading this book one is glad that the Beatles broke up rather than felt compelled to stay together to make money, amidst ever increasing rancor.
If you only have 15 minutes, the best article to read is by Bill Wyman (no, not that Bill Wyman), imagining Mick's reaction to Keith's book. It's on a slightly higher level than most of the rest of the articles, yet also sums most of them up nicely. And let's face it, reading about all the bad behavior and gossip is fun. Just be sure to shower afterwords.
January 13, 2015
Superb. This was not a book about the sex, drugs and rock and roll. It did not belong on the pages of the gutter press. It was a well written, criticism of the Stones lps/cds. Of course with a lot of background thrown in and some fascinating interviews. I liked the honesty of the reviews. For me the Stones music gets worse as it progresses particularly after 1972, and Sean Egan agrees. The Stones though? They are still the greatest rock n roll band in the world and this is one of the greatest book about them.
John Eliot, poet and editor.
John Eliot, poet and editor.
December 10, 2013
An interesting concept , revisiting the past in context of when albums (or singles) were released and an accurate assessment of how the 'mood of the times' was in relation to how well the music was received.
Quite enjoy reading it
Quite enjoy reading it
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews