A dear friend gave me a copy of this book. She said to me, I think you'll really enjoy all the music history that this book covers.
She wasn't kidding. OGAD isn't a tribute book. It isn't a tell all book, It isn't a book of dirt (although there some of that). It is a book that really does cover the HISTORY of an iconic band that has spanned more than 40 years. It does this by first looking at each of the groups founding members history from birth, their upbringings, social status in society and their experiences with the music that would influence them, and how they first started to become acquainted with each other.
As important individuals that become important to lives of the bands members (wives, girlfriends, Managers, etc) their history is briefly given too in order to better understand how these different lives affected each other.
The takes a serious look at the music that influenced them and the influence that the Rolling Stones themselves would have on the rest of the music world.
Numerous other famous and not so famous names from recent music history weave in and out as their paths intersect with our main players. The Beatles come off as big fans of the Stones referring them to as "As our new favorite live band". At this point the Stones are not writing their own songs yet (and are just covering the songs of their hero's) and Mick and Keith are awestruck at how easily the John and Paul are able to just knock out an original song (I Wanna Be Your Man) for them.
Bob Dylan comes off as quite the ass though. Playing mind games with Brian Jones. Messing with Ron Wood and Keith Richards right before their Live Aid performance (and yet Keith and Ron are still in admiration of Dylan).
And of course this is the Rolling Stones, so yes, there will be more than just a few tales of decadence (not to mention self destruction) too. It's often been joked
that after the bomb drops, the only things left alive will be cockroaches and Keith Richards. But after reading this book, I really don't think that, that is a joke anymore.
Lastly I should say that OGAD is not an authorized biography.
Whenever I read a biography vs. and autobiography two versions of the same cynical thought run through my head.
Biography: How objective are they being? And how much can I trust when subject of the biography isn't taking part?
Autobiography: How honest are they really being about themselves (how honest are any of us about ourselves).
OGAD though appears to be very well researched. As a musician, one of my favorite aspects of this book was the details given on the recording of each album. What other musicians played on the album? Who played what on what song? How was the song written? What was the inspiration for the song? Who produced? Who engineered? How did they get that sound back then? Who was to stoned that day to be able to play and so therefore had to be replaced by whom? It's all there.
Prior to reading this book, the Stones for me, where that "other" iconic 60's band. Unlike the Beatles, whose entire catalog, I know like the back of my hand. I mostly only knew the Stones by their radio hits. Since reading this book I have listened/explored 12 of their studio albums and I am still interested in exploring more.
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