I would like to express my gratitude to James Phelge, Stanley Booth, and Bill German for their invaluable contributions to the world of Rolling Stones fandom. Without these three exceptional storytellers, we would have missed out on countless priceless moments that were brilliantly illuminated through their writings. Among the vast array of books about the Rolling Stones, in my opinion, these three are the most essential. They possess the unique ability to transport readers into the very heart of the action, creating a palpable sense of being in the room alongside the band. The interactions between the authors and their subjects are plentiful, offering a rich and honest portrayal of the band members' behavior, thoughts, and emotions.

Each of these books covers a significant period in the band's history, documenting three critical eras with remarkable accuracy. Through their storytelling prowess, Phelge, Booth, and German provide us with a window into the inner workings of the Rolling Stones. We gain insights into how they conduct themselves, how they think, and how they feel. By delving into these narratives, we are granted the privilege of briefly inhabiting the world that exists behind the curtain, immersing ourselves in the crazy & captivating realm of the Rolling Stones.

To (the late?) James Phelge, Stanley Booth, and Bill German, I commend you for your exceptional storytelling skills. Your dedication to documenting the Rolling Stones' journey has allowed fans like myself to experience and appreciate the band's legacy on a deeper level.

(PS- Spanish Tony's effort, for me, trails just behind these three--but still quite good)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023-11-13 05:58 by hbwriter.

agreed

also add to that robert greenfield and chet flippo

For me too the 3 best ones to be very near the real Rolling stones...

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ProfessorWolf
agreed

also add to that robert greenfield and chet flippo

And Barbara Charone. Her Keith bio is an essential read. I do not know if it is because she is a woman but Keith really opened up to her.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023-11-13 14:20 by dcba.

Agree 100%, hbwriter.

cheers

I just finished reading Under Their Thumb yesterday. It was pretty good, it's a memoir, very focused on tours and shows with almost no discussion of albums and songwriting. I hadn't known Ahmet Ertegun fell at the Shine A Light filming.

I'd add Dalton, Roy Carr, and Andy Babiuk to the must reads.
To me the Ron Wood and Ian MacLagan books were also gold.
(Although Woody's books have to be taken with a grain of salt. In his world he taught Hendrix how to play guitar, and organized Woodstock..)

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Palace Revolution 2000

(Although Woody's books have to be taken with a grain of salt. In his world he taught Hendrix how to play guitar, and organized Woodstock..)

Does he talk about his Miami "Woody’s On The Beach" club? In his own book Bobby Keys had some interesting theory about its creation and its funding...

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jp.M
For me too the 3 best ones to be very near the real Rolling stones...

yup!

Bill German's is my favorite. It's one of those it could happen to you kind of stories and as someone who got (nowhere near that) close to one of my all time favorites and also spent a crazy hour "on the inside" of another favorite band before deciding I just wanna be a fan, it's all highly relatable.

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Dan
Bill German's is my favorite. It's one of those it could happen to you kind of stories and as someone who got (nowhere near that) close to one of my all time favorites and also spent a crazy hour "on the inside" of another favorite band before deciding I just wanna be a fan, it's all highly relatable.

I couldn't agree more!

Bill German's new edition (updated with bonus text and bonus photos), but I wanted to let you know that it is only available in paperback.

I mentioned on IORR that the updated edition is available as a hardcover,
but it isn't. My apologies. The only hardcover edition is the one that came out in 2009.

Only a softcover (paperback) new edition with bonus stories and photos that came out in 2022 with all the bonus material.

Any hardcover edition you might see for sale on Amazon/eBay/etc. is most
likely a used copy of the 2009 edition (which explains why it might be cheaper
than the new paperback edition). You want the new 2022 edition.

Anyway, I just wanted to mention it, so that you (or anyone else) don't buy
the wrong one.

I'll post a photo of the new "Under Their Thumb" by Bill German.

Agree!

Spanish Tony’s book is a Bible of information.

David Dalton