The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones

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The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones
The Stone Age book cover.png
Author Lesley-Ann Jones
Country United Kingdom
Language British English
Subjects The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Ronnie Wood, Mick Taylor, Charlie Watts, Anita Pallenberg, Bianca Jagger, David Bowie, Jerry Hall, Marianne Faithfull
Genre non-fiction
Published4th Floor, Victoria House
Publisher John Blake Publishing
Pegasus Books [1]
Publication date
2 Augusti 2022
Pages386 [1]
ISBN 978-1639362073

The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones is a 2022 non-fiction book about the history of the English rock band The Rolling Stones written by Lesley-Ann Jones.

Contents

Publication history

It was Jones' intent with the book to convey a woman's perspective on The Rolling Stones, something she feels has been lacking in most earlier biographies of the band. [2]

Content

The book claims that band members Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Mick Jagger and Mick Taylor were bisexual and that Jagger had flings with each of the other three, as well as a long-term affair with singer David Bowie. [3] [4] Jones argues in the book that Jagger should be reassessed as a bisexual icon. [5]

Reception

Publishers Weekly called the book "more shallow than substantive". [6] Kenneth Womack of Salon referred to it as a "no-holds-barred study" that is strange and "occasionally beguiling". [7] Adam Ellsworth of The Arts Fuse gave the book a mixed review, commenting that it consists mostly of gossip, but praised the amount of coverage of the women in the band's orbit. [1] John Walshe of the Business Post gave the book a positive review, stating that Jones personal experience with some of the events adds to her ability to tell the story of the band well. [8] Vintage Guitar magazine's Bret Adams commends that Jones "brings a befitting wit, sarcasm, and snark" to the text. [9] Jennie Roberson of Bi.org [lower-alpha 1] lauded Jones effort in backing up claims for the book, calling it "exhaustively well-researched". [10] David Keymer's review in the Library Journal was negative. Keymer feels that the book is "overhyped" and paints an unattractive picture of the band, but that it will likely be popular with readers regardless because the subject mater is fascinating. [11] OK! magazine found the book to be a "mind-blowing expose". [12] Kirkus Reviews summarised the book as "a feast for those looking for Rolling Stones gossip, but the author’s evident dislike for the band leaves a sour taste". [13]

See also

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rolling Stones</span> English rock band

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active across seven decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pioneered the gritty, rhythmically driven sound that came to define hard rock. Their first stable line-up consisted of vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, bassist Bill Wyman, and drummer Charlie Watts. During their early years, Jones was the primary leader of the band. After Andrew Loog Oldham became the group's manager in 1963, he encouraged them to write their own songs. The Jagger–Richards partnership became the band's primary songwriting and creative force; this alienated Jones, who developed a drug addiction that by 1968 interfered with his ability to contribute meaningfully.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mick Jagger</span> British singer (born 1943)

Sir Michael Philip Jagger is an English singer, songwriter, actor, filmmaker, and dancer. He is the front man and one of the founder members of the rock band the Rolling Stones. Jagger has written most of the band's songs alongside lead guitarist Keith Richards; their songwriting partnership is one of the most successful in history, and they continue to collaborate musically. His career has spanned over six decades, and he has been widely described as one of the most popular and influential front men in the history of rock music. His distinctive voice and energetic live performances, along with Richards' guitar style, have been the Rolling Stones' trademark throughout the band's career. Jagger gained notoriety for his romantic involvements and illicit drug use, and has often been portrayed as a countercultural figure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Jones</span> British musician, founding member of the Rolling Stones (1942–1969)

Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones was an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He was the founder, rhythm/lead guitarist, and original leader of the Rolling Stones. Initially a guitarist, he went on to sing backing vocals and played a wide variety of instruments on Rolling Stones recordings and in concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Richards</span> British musician, guitarist of the Rolling Stones

Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, singer and recording producer who is an original member, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. His songwriting partnership with the band's lead vocalist Mick Jagger is one of the most successful in history. His career spans over six decades, and his guitar playing style has been a trademark of the Rolling Stones throughout the band's career. Richards gained press notoriety for his romantic involvements and illicit drug use, and he was often portrayed as a countercultural figure. First professionally known as Keith Richard, by the early 1970s he had fully asserted his family name.

<i>Let It Bleed</i> 1969 studio album by the Rolling Stones

Let It Bleed is the eighth British and tenth American album studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 28 November 1969 by London Records in the United States and on 5 December by Decca Records in the United Kingdom. Released during the band's 1969 American Tour, it is the follow-up to Beggars Banquet (1968), and like that album is a return to the group's more blues-oriented approach that was prominent in the pre-Aftermath (1966) period of their career. Additional sounds on the album draw influence from gospel, country blues and country rock.

<i>Beggars Banquet</i> 1968 studio album by the Rolling Stones

Beggars Banquet is the seventh British and ninth American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 6 December 1968 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States. It was the first Rolling Stones album produced by Jimmy Miller, whose production work formed a key aspect of the group's sound throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.

<i>Its Only Rock n Roll</i> 1974 studio album by the Rolling Stones

It's Only Rock 'n Roll is a studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 18 October 1974 by Rolling Stones Records. It was the last Rolling Stones album to feature guitarist Mick Taylor; the songwriting and recording of the album's title track had a connection to Taylor's eventual replacement, Ronnie Wood. It's Only Rock 'n Roll combines the core blues and rock 'n' roll–oriented sound with elements of funk and reggae. It's Only Rock 'n Roll reached number one in the United States and number two in the UK.

<i>Out of Our Heads</i> 1965 studio album by the Rolling Stones

Out of Our Heads is a 1965 album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released in two editions with different covers and track listings. In the US, London Records released it on 30 July 1965 as the band's fourth American album, while Decca Records released its UK edition on 24 September 1965 as the third British album.

<i>The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus</i> 1996 British film

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus was a concert film hosted by and featuring the Rolling Stones, filmed on 11–12 December 1968. It was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who proposed the idea of a "rock and roll circus" to Jagger. The show was filmed on a makeshift circus stage with Jethro Tull, The Who, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull, and the Rolling Stones. John Lennon and his fiancee Yoko Ono performed as part of a one-shot supergroup called The Dirty Mac, featuring Eric Clapton on guitar, Mitch Mitchell on drums, and the Stones' Keith Richards on bass. The recently formed Led Zeppelin had been considered for inclusion, but the idea was rejected.

<i>Dirty Work</i> (Rolling Stones album) 1986 studio album by the Rolling Stones

Dirty Work is a studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. It was released on 24 March 1986 on the Rolling Stones label by CBS Records, their first under their new contract with Columbia Records. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, the album was recorded during a period when relations between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had soured considerably, according to Richards' autobiography Life.

<i>12 × 5</i> 1964 studio album by the Rolling Stones

12 × 5 is the second American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released in 1964 following the success of their American debut The Rolling Stones . It is an expanded version of the EP Five by Five, which had followed their debut album in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paint It Black</span> 1966 song by the Rolling Stones

"Paint It Black" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. A product of the songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it is a raga rock song with Indian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European influences and lyrics about grief and loss. London Records released the song as a single on 7 May 1966 in the United States, and Decca Records released it on 13 May in the United Kingdom. Two months later, London Records included it as the opening track on the American version of the band's 1966 studio album Aftermath, though it is not on the original UK release.

<i>Voodoo Lounge</i> 1994 studio album by The Rolling Stones

Voodoo Lounge is a studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 11 July 1994. As their first new release under their new alliance with Virgin Records, it ended a five-year gap since their last studio album, Steel Wheels in 1989. Voodoo Lounge is also the band's first album without their original bassist Bill Wyman; he left the band in early 1991, though the Stones did not announce the departure until 1993. In 2009, the album was remastered and reissued by Universal Music. This album was released as a double vinyl and as a single CD and cassette.

<i>Metamorphosis</i> (Rolling Stones album) 1975 compilation album by the Rolling Stones

Metamorphosis is the third compilation album of the Rolling Stones music released by former manager Allen Klein's ABKCO Records after the band's departure from Decca and Klein. Released in 1975, Metamorphosis centres on outtakes and alternate versions of well-known songs recorded from 1964 to 1970.

"Gimme Shelter" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones. Written by Jagger-Richards, it is the opening track of the band's 1969 album Let It Bleed. The song covers the brutal realities of war, including murder, rape and fear. It features prominent guest vocals by American singer Merry Clayton.

"No Expectations" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones featured on their 1968 album Beggars Banquet. It was first released as the B-side of the "Street Fighting Man" single in August 1968. The song was recorded in May 1968. Brian Jones' acoustic slide guitar on the recording represents one of his last major contributions before leaving the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)</span> 1974 single by The Rolling Stones

"It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" is the lead single from English rock band the Rolling Stones' 1974 album It's Only Rock 'n Roll. Writing is credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and the single reached the top ten in the UK charts and top 20 in the United States.

"It's All Over Now" is a song written by Bobby Womack and his sister-in-law Shirley Womack. It was first released by The Valentinos, featuring Bobby Womack, in 1964. The Rolling Stones heard it on its release and quickly recorded a cover version, which became their first number-one hit in the United Kingdom, in July 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Hit (To the Body)</span> 1986 single by the Rolling Stones

"One Hit (To the Body)" is the opening track to the English rock band the Rolling Stones' 1986 album Dirty Work. The song was released as the album's second single on 16 May in the United Kingdom and 9 May in the United States with "Fight" as its B-side. It was the first Rolling Stones single to feature a Ron Wood co-writing credit with Jagger and Richards.

<i>The Rolling Stones: Voodoo Lounge Live</i> 1995 Rolling Stones concert film

Voodoo Lounge Live is a concert video by the rock band the Rolling Stones. It was filmed on 25 November 1994 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida during the Voodoo Lounge Tour. The concert was broadcast as a pay-per-view special.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ellsworth, Adam (August 2, 2022). "Book Review: "The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones" — A Tabloid Take". The Arts Fuse . Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  2. Richards, Tom (August 8, 2022). "New Rolling Stones Biography Offers (Lots of!) Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll". Houston Press . Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  3. Villarreal, Daniel (October 7, 2022). "Mick Jagger had bisexual flings with two Rolling Stones bandmates, new book says". LGBTQ Nation . Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  4. Padgett, Donald (October 7, 2022). "Mick Jagger Slept With Two Other Rolling Stones, New Book Claims". The Advocate . Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  5. Billson, Chantelle (October 7, 2022). "A new book which lists the Rolling Stones' lovers over the years suggests Mick Jagger allegedly had a fling with two members of his band". PinkNews . Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  6. Staff. "The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones". Publishers Weekly . Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  7. Womack, Kenneth (August 1, 2022). "Welcome to "The Stone Age," chronicling the Rolling Stones' epic career of rock, scandal and excess". Salon . Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  8. Walshe, John (July 29, 2022). "The Stone Age: A rocking account of pop's legendary bad boys on their worst behaviour". Business Post . Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  9. Adams, Bret (December 2022). "The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones". Vintage Guitar . Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  10. Roberson, Jennie (July 25, 2023). "Bi Book Club: The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones". Bi.org . Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  11. Keymer, David (August 1, 2022). "The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones". Library Journal . Library Journals, LLC. 147 (8): 99.
  12. Staff (July 26, 2022). "Mick Jagger at 80 — The Secrets He's Hiding: Flings With David Bowie, Keith Richards and Rolling Stones' Guitarist Mick Taylor". OK! Magazine . Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  13. Staff (June 15, 2022). "The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stones". Kirkus Reviews .