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swiss

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71Tele
I liked German's book perhaps because I saw myself in him - or what my own fandom COULD have led to. On the one hand I admire his pluck and envy his access; on the other I would not want to be in the position he was in of being tolerated rather than respected as an equal. Of course, this is the best a mere fan could hope for.

71Tele...that's really interesting! Thanks for sharing that. Like you, I wouldn't wanna be the tagalong/sycophant of the Stones. I respect people's privacy so much it makes me uncomfortable to hear about his relentless hounding of these guys. If he were a journalist with so much skill or insight -- a great writer rather than an ass-licker he might not have become "buds" with the Stones, but he may have had access to them -- and not quite so breathless (and at the same time self-aggrandizing) -- and they might have actually respected him.

I'm guessing you were first a fan of the music, and then the guys...? With Bill German, it seems the other way around. And I find that off-putting. Even "as a girl," that's not ever the case for me. I've been a Stones fan MUSIC since I was 4.

Even Bill G's intro to how he came to love the Stones is off. So, he's 9 years old in 1972....and he's never heard of the Rolling Stones?!?!?!! He's heard of the Beatles, he says, and Led Zep, and Pink Floyd....but not the Stones? c'mon. That's trying too hard to make a point. And plain disingenuous. That compromised the efficacy of his narrative right out the gate (for me). Further, he states that he grew up in a cramped rowhouse in Brooklyn---sorry, but dude would have heard anything his big sister was playing---walls not that thin in Brooklyn rowhouses.

THEN he says that his sister, who owned every Stones album made, suddenly tired of them in 1972, and gave Bill German all her Stones albums and a Fan Was Born. Don't believe it. Then dropping out of school, forrays itno following the Stones around the country on wild goose chases, living in a one-room crap apartment and sleeping in a twin bed with a guy he doesn't know -- just to be closer to the Stones...yuck.

Anway, I'll shut up now. I'm glad other people appreciate this book for what it uniquely offers. I'm cool w/Kris Needs, Bokris, even Christopher Sanford, which many people think are shite.

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SwayStones

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schillid

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... it's hard for him to say no to anything. Which is exactly where Jo would come in. She'd try her best ...

Way back then too... At the WOAF video shoot Ronnie was in the lavatory at the back of the bus... He couldn't say no as people gathered at the window. "Ron Wood's taking a piss!" someone cried. The window slid open and Ronnie started signing autographs. "You can't even take a piss in private!" Someone called out. "Ahh... who needs privacy?" Ronnie laughed. And then Jo shielded the window with her back for him.

Ahhh..thanks for the photos and ..the story !