Rolling Stones on Air in the Sixties: TV and Radio History As It Happened – The First Official History with Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access

by Richard Havers

The first official, in-depth history of the Rolling Stones told through the band’s television and radio broadcasts—appearance by appearance—published to tie in with the global release of a DVD containing recently discovered, never-before-released footage of the Stones on TV, in front of and behind the cameras. The Rolling Stones on Air in the Sixties  is a unique chronicle of the band’s rise to fame during the 1960s. It begins with a letter the BBC received from Brian Jones in January 1963, politely requesting an audition for "The Rollin’ Stones Rhythm and Blues Band," and ends with the story of the group’s performance of "Let It Bleed" for BBC’s end-of-the-decade celebration television program Ten Years of What. From their first television appearance on Thank Your Lucky Stars!, sporting matching houndstooth suits at the insistence of manager Andrew Loog Oldham, to the louche rockers who performed at a televised free concert in London’s Hyde Park in 1969, The Rolling Stones on Air in the Sixties reveals, year-by-year, how the group rose from obscurity to dominate rock-and-roll. Throughout, the Stones look back at their career-defining broadcasts, sharing their individual recollections about the music, the clothes, the fans, the rivals and friends, and the impact they had on the generational divide and the world around them. This remarkable collection features previously unseen facsimile documents from the BBC and commercial archives, exclusive interviews with directors and producers who worked with the band during their rise, and showcases many stunning images never before seen. This is history as it happened, both in front of and behind the camera, and on and off the studio mic. Viewing the band from a fresh and unusual viewpoint that makes their story both immediate and vivid, The Rolling Stones on Air in the Sixties offers invaluable insights into one of the greatest great rock ’n’ roll bands the world has ever seen.

Genres: Music

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2017

Reviews

[Harry Burnside · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book It was more than I expected it to be. I thought it was just going to discuss but Havers includes details of things that were going on around the time of the broadcasts. I also thought it was only going to be concerned with the BBC sessions instead he covers all broadcasts both Radio and television mostly UK and USA but other countries too to a lesser degree and the pictures are brilliant with the majority new to me and I have many Stones book.
The 60's were a great decade for them, Incredible how people fell for Andrew Oldham's hype about them being horribly scruffy as in many pictures at least two of them are wearing suits and ties and the others in new smart casual wear.
The book got me to track down the Ready Steady Go Rolling Stones Special. Where they play six songs and Brian plays Marimbas on Under My Thumb, moves to Dulcimer for Lady Jane, organ for That's how strong my love is, Sitar for Paint it Black then guitar for Good Thing Going.
I loved the book as I lived through this decade following the Stones every step of the way and the nostalgia factor was a joy. What a band.

[Diskojoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book was nicely illustrated and well written, I expected something like Mark Lewisolm's books about the Beatles, which were more detailed.

[Jeff Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coffee table book about the Rolling Stones in the 60s from their debut as a little R & B band through to the end of the decade and the start of their period as the greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band in the world.
I’ve read quite a few books about the Stones and this ranks somewhere near the top - it has loads of photos and reproduces newspaper articles and memos from the period. The text is basic & factual but it captures the ‘black & white 60s’ very well.

[Goran Remborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great trip down Memory Lane

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a contextualized, extended encyclopedia entry on the Stones early TV and Radio performances than anything else. Good information, but not much flavor.

[Prestanombres Takovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best history about radio programs from a band. This book contains interesting information about The Rolling Stones, better than others i ever read! This guys are very important to the radio station’s history in the UK. The latest years are poorly documented but the early 60’s contains more pictures and information.